Biological contaminants
The Study Group on developing new guidelines for the monitoring of biological EFFects of contaminants (SGEFF) was set up jointly by OSPAR and HELCOM in 2022 to revise the guidance used to monitor biological effects of contaminants in fish, bivalves and other marine organisms, updating guidelines that dated back to 1997, 2008-09 and 2012. Over its two-year term the group brought together 22 experts from both regions, meeting through a mix of hybrid workshops and virtual sessions, to review current biomarkers and bioassays and recommend an approach that works across the differing conditions in the OSPAR and HELCOM areas. The final report recommends 11 biological effect methods with established protocols and quality assurance programmes, and covers species selection, assessment criteria, monitoring design, and how the new recommendations relate to existing national programmes.
