The data set is showing seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea area as points used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data from HELCOM.

The data set is showing spawning areas with pelagic fish eggs in the Baltic Sea area as polygons used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data from HELCOM and COWI. Fish-egg and larvae are sensitive to oil dissolved in the water phase.

The data set is showing underwater sandbanks in the Baltic Sea area as polygons used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data collected from HELCOM and Russia. Helcom data is originated from EU-BALANCE project (Baltic Marine seabed sediments with selections of Gridcode=III "Sand including fine to coarse sand (with gravel exposures)". Helcom areas in Russian part of Gulf of Finland are replaced with data received from Russian BRISK project partners. 10 m depth curve from Helcom are used to divide the areas.

The data set is showing seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea area as polygon areas used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data from Poland and Russia. The dataset includes data provided by the BRISK Project Partner organisations. The detailed documentation of what partner provided what data is given in the Annex of the document: 70618-3.1.2.2 Data Collection Report.

The data set is showing nursery areas for fish in the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea area as polygons used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data collected from Poland and Russia and by COWI from polygons created from 10 m depth curve. The dataset includes data provided by the BRISK Project Partner organisations. The detailed documentation of what partner provided what data is given in the Annex of the document: 70618-3.1.2.2 Data Collection Report. Shallow water areas are nursery areas for a long list of fish. Particularly during summer these areas are vulnerable.

The data set is showing protected areas (Ramsar, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves and Natura2000) in the Baltic Sea area as polygons. This dataset is used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). The dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data collected from HELCOM and Baltic Sea countries (Finland: Copyright SYKE). The dataset includes data provided by the BRISK Project Partner organisations. The detailed documentation of what partner provided what data is given in the Annex of the document: 70618-3.1.2.2 Data Collection Report.

The data set is showing wintering areas for sea and shore birds in the Baltic Sea area as polygons used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data collected from HELCOM, Finland (Copyright: SYKE), Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden. The dataset includes data provided by the BRISK Project Partner organisations. The detailed documentation of what partner provided what data is given in the Annex of the document: 70618-3.1.2.2 Data Collection Report.

The data set is showing staging areas for migrating sea and shore birds in the Baltic Sea area as polygons used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data collected from Baltic Sea countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland (Copyright: SYKE), Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Sweden). The dataset includes data provided by the BRISK Project Partner organisations. The detailed documentation of what partner provided what data is given in the Annex of the document: 70618-3.1.2.2 Data Collection Report.

The data set is indicating important spots where sea- and shore birds breed in the Baltic Sea area. This dataset depicts breeding areas of birds as polygon regions used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk). Based on data collected from Baltic sea countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland (Finnish data Copyright: SYKE, The Finnish data is lacking small bays of the Finnish coastline. These bays are important for birds), Germany, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Sweden). The dataset includes data provided by the BRISK Project Partner organisations from various Baltic Sea countries. The detailed documentation of what partner provided what data is given in the Annex of the document: 70618-3.1.2.2 Data Collection Report. About 20 species of seabirds breed along the coast of thee Baltic. The Archipelago areas in Finland and Sweden are the most important breeding areas. They are very vulnerable to oil spill. The data includes important spots where seabirds nests.

The data set is showing areas where estuaries occurs in the Baltic Sea area as points used for the BRISK project (Sub-regional risk of spill of oil and hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, http://www.brisk.helcom.fi/). This dataset has been produced by COWI (http://www.cowi.dk) based on data collected from Finland (Copyright: SYKE). The dataset includes data provided by the BRISK Project Partner organisations from various Baltic Sea countries. The detailed documentation of what partner provided what data is given in the Annex of the document: 70618-3.1.2.2 Data Collection Report. Estuaries have a high biodiversity. They are important breeding and foraging areas for many birds and reproduction areas for many fish species. Stranded oil may degrade slowly and the risk for damage to the habitat is high during clean up actions. The organisms encountered in the habitat are generally very vulnerable to oil.