Biological effects of chemical contaminants are poorly covered in Baltic Sea environmental monitoring programmes. This crucial data gap prevents reliable assessment of the true pollution status of our common sea that is urgently needed for adequate management actions. 

The Interreg Baltic Sea Region project BEACON set out to provide tools for implementing an integrated chemical-biological approach to monitor and assess chemical pollution in the Baltic Sea. We developed and tested new approaches for chemical and biological data integration and produced recommendations and guidelines for monitoring. Data sets were compiled for analyses using the newly developed methodologies. The first integrated evaluations in chosen Baltic Sea pilot areas are now available. 

In addition to methodological developments, we tackled current challenges in applying biological effects methods by directly contacting relevant stakeholders, practitioners, and managers across different Baltic Sea countries. A survey was conducted to identify stakeholder needs and reveal the main challenges in addressing the effects of contaminants. Based on the survey, we gained a clearer overview of the existing barriers in each country. Engagement with various stakeholders, national seminars, and a regional Baltic Sea wide final workshop (scheduled for 26 November 2024) have resulted in the dissemination of updated information on the currently available methodologies. Consequently, dialogue regarding their implementation is expected to increase markedly, supporting the application of the integrated approach.   

By funding BEACON, Interreg BSR gave a critically important boost to improving biological effects monitoring and the chemical-biological assessment approach of chemical contamination in the Baltic Sea region.