Implemented
Under the measure, a report with the title “Monitoring and assessment of environmental impacts of chemical spills in the Baltic Sea” was prepared. It is primarily targeted at authorities and research institutes responsible for the planning and implementation of environmental monitoring after a sudden chemical spill at sea. The report contributes to better preparedness for the monitoring and assessment of environmental impacts of chemical spills in the Baltic Sea area.
The range of chemicals transported in the Baltic Sea is wide, and the annual volumes transported also vary a lot depending on the chemical. Finland’s national action plan on the ecological consequences of oil damages in the Baltic Sea was completed in 2012. A similar national action plan is also needed to be prepared for chemical damages to vessels in the Baltic Sea. The Finnish Environment Institute prepared a preliminary study on “Ecological impacts of chemical spills in the Baltic Sea”.
In line with the preliminary study, this measure would create a response plan for a system which immediately after an accident allows:
– a rapid organisation of a team responsible for monitoring and identification of its ecological consequences,
– a reliable preliminary assessment of the situation/risk,
– initiating the necessary measures, including monitoring and investigating the basic status,
– evaluation of need for further actions and, where appropriate, planning of them.
It is estimated that it will take about two years to finish the national action plan, which will take place in 2016–2017. The total cost of implementation has been estimated to be approximately €280,000 during 2016–17.
2016–2017
Ministry of the Environment
