HELSINGFORSKONVENTIONEN – KONVENTIONEN OM SKYDD AV ÖSTERSJÖOMRÅDETS MARINA MILJÖ, The Helsinki Convention – The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area
The Helsinki Convention – The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area comprises the Baltic Sea proper with the Gulf of Bothnia, the Gulf of Finland and the entrance to the Baltic Sea. The Convention is ratified by all Baltic Sea states i.e. Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, Poland, the Sovietunion, Finland and Sweden. The Helsinki Commission is the deciding organ with three permanent subsidiary bodies and a number of ad hoc subsidiary groups. The Commission has so far given several recommendations on prohibition of discharges of DDT, PCB, PCT, reduction of discharges of mercury, cadmium, oil, nutrients etc. The Commission has compiled assessments on the state of the Baltic Sea. The Commission also carries out control programmes, organizes seminars and has a widespread cooperation with other international organizations.