The Gulf of Finland is under threat from increasing traffic, the risk of oil spills, fishing and eutrophication.

By Hinrichsen, Don The Baltic Sea has a history of vital commercial importance to northern Europe and a rich tradition as a principal recreation region for the nine countries that border it.

Text of report by Russian NTV on 13 May [Presenter] An environmental disaster has been reported in Leningrad Region. A major oil slick was discovered in one of the local rivers. Tens of tonnes of fuel oil have got into the water. The total square of the polluted area is some 6,000 sq. m.