Conclusions

Abstract

We discuss the HELCOM yearly statistics for 1988–2011 on the confirmed oil spills and flight hours of aerial surveillance in the Baltic Sea, as well as the results of the CleanSeaNet satellite service provided by the European Maritime Safety Agency. We note that the observed very low level of oil pollution in the Baltic Sea and very low number of the identified polluters, along with a huge number of very expensive flight hours and satellite radar images may have a negative feedback on the sustainable development of the future monitoring system for the Baltic Sea. The results of investigation of oil pollution in waters of Finland, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Germany are discussed. We briefly refer to a recent research on the state of the oil spill preparedness in the Baltic Sea countries. Some of the recommendations for improvement of the integrated oil pollution monitoring system for the Baltic Sea are given.