OREANDA-NEWS. In the first six months since its launch the Nord Stream Data and Information Fund (DIF) has already attracted strong interest from the scientific community. Researchers and authorities from Germany, Finland, Russia, Sweden, Poland and Lithuania have signed up to use the data portal. The environmental and seabed survey data (e.g. bathymetry and sediment-type data) are meant to help researchers address some of the many challenges of the Baltic Sea environment. In particular, the data can be helpful for environmental projects within HELCOM's Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP).

During numerous surveys in the Baltic from 2005 to 2012, Nord Stream gathered a wealth of unique data, which covers the entire range of HELCOM's Baltic Sea Action Plan priorities, including eutrophication, hazardous substances, environmentally-friendly maritime activities and biodiversity. Nord Stream invested over 100 million euros in conducting the most extensive environmental studies of the Baltic Sea.

"We are delighted to see that so many research institutions, universities and experts have signed up to use Nord Stream's data heritage. We want to encourage the scientific community around the Baltic Sea to make use of our research and survey data to launch environmental projects for the sake of further preservation of the Baltic," said Dirk von Ameln, Permitting Director Nord Stream AG.

The use of the DIF data is restricted to academic, research, educational, and governmental purposes. Data which is subject to restrictions by laws of the Baltic Sea countries is excluded from the Fund's database. Nord Stream will maintain the database until 2021, in line with many of the HELCOM projects.