Hazardous Substances and Eutrophication Committee 2025

In March, the Hazardous Substances and Eutrophication Committee (HASEC) of OSPAR convened in La Défense, Paris, under the gracious hospitality of the Government of the French Republic.

The Working Group on Monitoring and Concentrations, Trends, and Effects of Substances in the Marine Environment (MIME) provided updates on ongoing projects and assessments pertaining to hazardous substances. MIME presented its 2024 annual assessment report, encompassing data on hazardous substances and updates on the online OSPAR Hazardous Assessment Tool (OHAT). This assessment incorporates approximately 16, 000 time- series data points for biota and 8, 000 for sediment, thereby elucidating trends and concentrations. The report further addressed the implications of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), with continued efforts to evaluate their levels and impacts. MIME solicited endorsement of prioritisation and data- driven methodologies to align with OSPAR' s objectives concerning contaminants, aspiring to establish a sustainable platform for future assessments of chemical substances.

The Intersessional Correspondence Group on Eutrophication (ICG- Eut) provided an update on monitoring and assessment efforts related to eutrophication, emphasising the expansion of the Common Procedure (COMP) work programme. Discussions encompassed new datasets, indicators, tools for data visualisation, and collaborations with Mercator Ocean International and Copernicus to enhance data reliability and quality assurance. Furthermore, the Co- convenors of the Intersessional Correspondence Group on Eutrophication Modelling (ICG- EMO) reported on challenges related to discrepancies in nutrient loading data, which have hindered modelling efforts until the RID data issues are resolved. A questionnaire was introduced to gather anticipated nutrient reductions under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) to guide future modelling scenarios and improve nutrient input management.

A draft Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme (CEMP) Eutrophication Monitoring Guideline for Nutrients was proposed to replace previous guidelines, underscoring the importance of updated monitoring practices. The focus remained on integrating new scientific data and methodologies into existing frameworks to bolster eutrophication management.

HASEC approved three new tasks for the OSPAR North-East Atlantic Environmental Strategy (NEAES) pertaining to adaptation to climate change impacts on eutrophication. A new task was also established to address the presence of energetic compounds originating from munitions and their derivatives in the marine environment.

To close the 2025 meeting of HASEC, the Committee re-elected Wera Leujak (Germany) as HASEC vice-Chair for a further two-year period.

Philip Axe (Sweden), serving as HASEC 's Chair, chaired the meeting.

The summary record of the meeting is available online.