HELCOM Indicator Manual. Version 2020-1.

Abstract

The HELCOM indicators are a critical component of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) and its approach to the assessment of good ecological/environmental status (referred to as ‘good status’ from here on) in the marine environment. The indicators, and the key assessments of state and pressures they feed into, generally address issues under one of the four goals of the BSAP (see Figure 1). The indicators provide a mechanism to address the effectiveness of the measures put in place to reach the goals and objectives of the BSAP, by regularly synthesising common regional monitoring data into an evaluation of progress towards these goals and the BSAP vision. Previously, within HELCOM, indicator development has taken place via HELCOM projects such as CORESET I and CORESET II, and supported by other large regional projects (e.g. the EU co-financed SPICE Project – see also list of HELCOM Projects). However, as the HELCOM structure (e.g. implementation of numerous topic specific Expert Groups) and approach for indicator development (e.g. application of lead country approach) has advanced, as well as the sheer number of individual indicators (HELCOM indicator web page), so has the need for the development of a clear strategy to outline the relevant processes for the develop and management of new and existing indicators. This manual describes the optimal development and management of HELCOM indicators. It is however clear that, especially where development is underway or initial indicator evaluations are tested (e.g. candidate or pre-core indicators), not all proposed optimal solutions presented here will be achieved immediately. Some of these optimal solutions may not be possible even at the stage of an indicator becoming a core-indicator, such as where data flows or automation are involved (despite an indicator being functional, approved and capable of carrying out an evaluation). In such cases, this manual should be considered as a guideline to achieving a fully operational and optimal HELCOM indicator. A major aim of this manual is to compile available information of relevance to the HELCOM indicator process into a single document. This overview is intended to outline the stages and process of indicator development, requirements for HELCOM indicators, division of responsibilities, and the flow of information (e.g. between Expert and Working Groups). With clear and accessible guidance technical development can be streamlined and approval stages facilitated.