Biological effects of contaminants are not sufficiently considered in Baltic Sea monitoring programmes.

The BEACON project provides tools for the implementation of an integrated chemical-biological approach for the monitoring and assessment of contaminants in the marine environment. New approaches for data integration will be developed, and related recommendations and guidelines will be given.

The current problems in applying biological effects methods are tackled by directly contacting the relevant stakeholders, practitioners, and managers in Baltic Sea countries by carrying out a survey to reveal their needs and possible barriers in addressing the effects of contaminants. Basing on the survey a clearer overview of the existing barriers in each country will be obtained. Through these contacts with the various stakeholders, the distribution of updated information on the current available methodologies and dialogue on their implementation are expected to increase markedly, facilitating the implementation of the approach.

By funding BEACON, Interreg BSR has given a critically important boost to contact the stakeholders in regard to improving biological effects monitoring in the Baltic Sea region. The analysis of the results of the first survey carried out in the majority of Baltic Sea countries is currently ongoing, and we are very much looking forward to reporting its outcomes.

Data sets are currently being compiled to be analysed using the newly developed integration methodologies and the first evaluations of integrated biological effects of contaminants in the chosen Baltic Sea target areas will soon be carried out.

During the latter part of the project the outcomes of the project will be delivered to the stakeholders via different communication means, including national workshops.