Southwest Finland on a mission for a healthier Baltic Sea

SW Finland is situated by the Baltic Sea, one of the most vulnerable sea basins in the world. The Archipelago Sea, still included in the HELCOM Hot Spots list as a significant pollution site, is in a critical state due to excessive nutrient runoff from agriculture. Climate change is further increasing runoffs and eutrophication of the sea. Today we witness increased toxic blooms of blue-green algae, as well as reduction of oxygen levels in the deep waters decreasing biodiversity. The status of the Sea is also weakened by increased maritime traffic, as nitrogen and particle emissions from maritime fuels continue to eutrophicate the Sea. Discharge of wastewater from cargo ships also constitutes a problem. This is why we support the objectives of the Ocean mission. With a greater focus on eutrophication, the Mission would become even more interesting for us.
Here are some actions already put in practice or currently executed:

Prevent and eliminate pollution
• Point source pollution is under control thanks to investments in Turku Region Wastewater Treatment Plant which processes residential wastewater of 14 municipalities, as well as industrial wastewater in the Turku region. The results of this centralised wastewater treatment are considerable for the sea: in 2020, cleaning efficiency was 100 % for solids, 99 % for organic matter and phosphorus, and 86 % for nitrogen.
• Reduction of diffuse source pollution: Gypsum treatment has been used to bind phosphorus, solid matter, and organic carbon in farmlands. Studies show that the treatment can reduce leaching of phosphorus by about 50 %. In summer 2020, > 42,000 tn of gypsum was spread in farmlands in SW Finland.
• Experimenting different nature-based water management solutions to better retain runoff water. Eg. in the EU funded RESIST project, we pilot methods such as restoration of wetlands and swamps, as well as reinforcing stormwater basins to delay stormwater and improve its quality. The key is the cooperative working method: getting farmers and forest owners to invest in the use of nature-based solutions.

Restore marine and freshwater ecosystems & biodiversity
• Several regional stakeholders are currently involved in largescale LIFE projects which aim to protect Baltic Sea species and habitat types (Biodiversea LIFE IP), as well as to improve the state of the Natura 2000 nature reserves of coastal areas and archipelago (CoastNet LIFE).

Carbon-neutral blue economy
• Sustainable blue economy is one of the S3 priorities of SW Finland.
• The Meyer Turku shipyard is a global forerunner in developing and using sustainable technological solutions for cruise ships. NEcOLEAP project, funded under RRF and led by Meyer Turku, aims to build a climate-neutral cruise ship together with an extensive network.

Knowledge system
• Regional Council of SW Finland is responsible for the national coordination of maritime spatial planning in different sea areas, as well as drawing up the plan for the Archipelago Sea. The plans are helping in reconciling different ecological and economic needs, and development of sustainable blue economy.

Public mobilisation
• Turku and Helsinki are the initiators of The Baltic Sea Challenge, a network for concrete action at local level for protecting the Baltic Sea. One of its key focus areas is engaging citizens eg. through beach cleaning events and annual Baltic Sea Day.
• Turku, together with City of Hamburg, hosts the EUSBSR Strategy Point.