BSHC Draft Recommendation for Harmonisation of the Names of the Baltic Sea

BSICCWG Letter 2/2012 Finnish Transport Agency Hydrographic Office Helsinki, 21 May 2012 Dear BSHC Colleagues and BSICCWG Members, BSHC Draft Recommendation for Harmonisation of the Names of the Baltic Sea 1. Outcome of the IHO XVIII Conference The IHO XVIII Conference in April 2012 discussed on the status of the revision of S-23. There has not been progress on solving the disputes between Japan and Korea on the name of Japan Sea/East Sea. The Conference was not able to solve the open issue of updating S-23, did not made any decision on this issue and did not agreed on any further actions to proceed on this issue. The future of S-23 is unclear. There are no clear plans on how and when to proceed on this issue. Australia informed at the Conference that they have already their national S-23, which has been copied for your information into Annex 2. 2. BSICCWG Proposal When the outcome of S-23 in the Conference was seen, there were discussions between some BSHC Members on the situation of the Baltic Sea. Many agreed that it may be feasible to make BSHC recommendations for the names of the Baltic Sea sub-areas. These recommendations could be as an independent document approved by the BSHC and with no references to IHO S-23. Many BSHC Members also had opinion that the recommendations should be quite simple. In our new draft proposal in Annex 1 there is only one main level of sub-areas. These can be seen in a map on page 2 of the Recommendations. In our understanding this gives a good and quick overview of the sub-areas and may be sufficient for most hydrographic purposes. We have also simplified the numbering of the subareas. There are now 15 sub-areas, which are numbered from 1 to 15, starting from the entrance of the Baltic Sea continuing up to the north to the Gulf of Bothnia. More detailed information on the limits of sub-areas are moved into the Annex of the Recommendations. This Annex includes exact coordinates and verbal descriptions of the limits of sub-areas. Also chartlets showing the subareas are included. Where needed, more detailed division into sub-areas may be defined. These additional subdivisions should be added into the Annex of the Recommendations. Currently there are some additional subdivisions, e.g. for subarea 7 Southern Baltic Sea and for BSICCWG Letter 2_2012 Page 1 (3) 21 May 2012

BSICCWG Letter 2/2012 subarea 15 Gulf of Bothnia. Details of these sub-divisions are shown as indented paragraphs in the proposal. 3. Discussion The proposed subareas 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12 and 15 are the same as in the S-23 Draft version 2002. The proposed subareas 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 14 are the proposed subareas which are not in the S-23 Draft version 2002. Only those new subareas are proposed which are widely in use in practice. In previous proposals there were some theoretical levels which are actually not in use. Now we have rejected these. We have tried to harmonise the format of naming subareas and propose the formats like Gulf of Xxxx, Bay of Xxxx, Xxxx Sea, e.g. Gulf of Riga, Gulf of Finland and Bay of Bothnia, and Åland Sea, Archipelago Sea, Bothnian Sea. Russia has pointed out that the word Sea means quite a large sea area and e.g. the Bothnian sea is only a part of a gulf. We agree on this logic, but remind that the proposed names like Bothnian Sea, Åland Sea and Archipelago Sea are direct translations form their Finnish and Swedish names and are very well established and have been long time in use. So we propose to keep these names with the word Sea. Russia has proposed into sub-area 7 Southern Baltic Sea a new additional sub-area Bay of Gdansk. Poland has commented that they hope to keep the recommendations very simple, but if this subarea will be approved then the name should be Gulf of Gdansk which is in use in their charts. Poland also point out that there is a larger gulf Gulf of Pomerania which should perhaps be included if Gulf of Gdansk will be included. We propose new subareas 13 Åland Sea and 14 Archipelago Sea. These are subareas with their own characteristics. It does not logically belong to the Gulf of Bothnia nor to the Northern part of Central Baltic Sea. The sizes of these subareas are larger than the sizes of some exisiting subareas, e.g. 2, 3, 4 and 11. These subareas and their names are widely in use. These names are direct translations form Finnish and Swedish names Ahvenanmeri, Saaristomeri, Ålands havet, Skärgådshavet. See the above comments to the word Sea. We propose into subarea 15 Gulf of Bothnia an additional subdivision of three subareas 15.1 Bothnian Sea, 15.2 The Quark and 15.3 Bay of Bothnia. These subareas are widely in use. Subareas Bothnian Sea and Bay of Bothnia are already in the S-23 Draft version 2002. Subarea The Quark is a new, but it has its own characteristic and it is widely in use. We propose the name of Bothnian Sea for a subarea 15.1 of Gulf of Bothnia. The name Bothnian Sea is a direct translation from Finnish and Swedish names Selkämeri and Bottenhavet which both means Bothnian sea. The name Sea of Bothnia is also quite widely in used, but for consistency reasons we have rejected this. This subarea could be also named as Southern [part of] Gulf of Bothnia, but this seems to be quite complex and not commonly used. The chartlets in this proposal in Annex 1 are very quickly drawn drafts. We apologize not having time for drawing them better. They will be replaced by more clear pictures in the next draft. BSICCWG Letter 2_2012 Page 2 (3) 21 May 2012

BSICCWG Letter 2/2012 4. Way forward You all are invited to forward your initial opinions, comments and possible further proposals to these issues, especially to the following issues: Do you agree in general this proposed way to prepare Baltic Sea Recommendations to be approved by the BSHC? Do you agree the structure of the recommendations (2 main pages plus Annex for details)? Do you agree in principle to have one main level of sub-areas? Do you have any comments to these proposed 15 sub-areas? Based on your feedback we plan to make the next draft version by the end of June and the final draft for BSHC 17 th Conference by mid-august. Our intention is to propose a unanimously agreed proposal to be approved by the BSHC 17 th Conference in September 2012. If there are still left any issues which may need face-to-face discussions, these could be done during the BSHC 17 th Conference. When approved by the BSHC these Recommendations could be placed on the IHO/BHSC Web site. We hope to have your feedback preferably by 8 June 2012. Yours sincerely, Jarmo Mäkinen Chair of the BSICCWG Annexes: [1] Draft BSHC Recommendations for Harmonising the Names of Baltic Sea, May 2012. [2] Australian national Limits of Oceans & Seas, Australian Hydrographic Service. BSICCWG Letter 2_2012 Page 3 (3) 21 May 2012

Draft Proposed BSHC Recommendations for Harmonising the Names of the Sub-areas of the Baltic Sea [Draft by 21 May 2012] The Baltic Sea is an enclosed sea opening only to the North Atlantic Ocean at the limit between Skagerrak and Kattegat at parallel of 57 45'N. The limits and names have been drawn up solely for hydrographic purposes. These have not any legal or political significance whatsoever Notes: Above is a Draft BSHC Logo. To be replaced when the final Logo has been approved. The chartlets in this draft are very quickly drawn and will be replaced better one into the next draft. Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 1 (12) 21 May 2012

Recommendations for subdivision and names of the Baltic Sea The Baltic Sea Hydrographic Commission recommends for hydrographic purposes the following subdivision and names of the Baltic Sea. In the attached Annex there are more detailed descriptions of the limits of the Baltic Sea Sub-areas. Annex: Detailed descriptions of the limits of the Baltic Sea Sub-areas. Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 2 (12) 21 May 2012

Annex to the Draft Proposed BSHC Recommendations for Harmonising the Names of the Subareas of the Baltic Sea Detailed description of the limits of the Baltic Sea Sub-areas Also some widely used subdivisions are shown here. 1 Kattegat The limits of the Kattegat, a wide strait situated between the Skagerrak and The Sound, The Great and The Little Belt and between the eastern coast of Denmark and the south western coast of Sweden, are the following: On the North: A line joining Skagen Fyr W (57 45'N 10 36'E), the northern extremity of Jylland in Denmark, eastward, along the parallel of 57 45'N, to the coast of Sweden at position 57 45'N 11 45'E. On the East: From position 57 45'N 11 45'E southward, along the western coast of Sweden, to Kullen (56 18'N 12 27'E). On the South: A line joining Kullen, on the coast of Sweden, southwestward to Gilbjerg Hoved (56 08'N 12 17'E), the northern extremity of Sjælland, in Denmark, and further along the northern coast of Sjællands to Røsnæs Fyr (55 45'N 10 52'E) and thence a line to Fyns Hoved (55 37'N 10 36'E), and further westward along the northern coast of Fyn, to Æbelø (55 39'N 10 10'E), off the northern coast of Fyn; and thence northwestward, a line to Bjørnsknude (55 42'N 10 02'E), on the east coast of Jylland, in Denmark. On the West: From Bjørnsknude (55 42'N 10 02'E) northward, along the eastern coast of Jylland (Denmark), to Skagen Fyr W (57 45'N 10 36'E), the northern extremity of Jylland. 2 The Little Belt Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 3 (12) 21 May 2012

The limits of The Little Belt, situated between the eastern coasts of Jylland (Denmark) and Germany and the Danish islands of Fyn, Langeland and Ærø, are the following: On the North: A line joining Bjørnsknude (55 42'N 10 02'E) in Denmark, south-eastward to Æbelø (55 39'N 10 10'E), off the northern coast of Fyn. On the East: From Æbelø southward and westward, along the western and southern coasts of Fyn to Thurø Rev (55 02 N 10 43 E), on the south-eastern coast of this island; thence from Thurø Rev south-eastward, a line to Næshoved (54 59 N 10 46 E), on the western coast of Langeland; and thence from Næshoved southward, along the western coast of Langeland, to Dovns Klint (54 43 N 10 42 E) at the southern extremity of Langeland, Kappel (54 46 N 11 01 E) on Lolland and further eastward and northward along the coasts of the Danish islands of olland, Falster, Møn and Sjaelland to Stevns (55 17 N 12 27 E) and further to Falsterbo (55 23 N 12 49 E), on the south-western extremity of Sweden. On the South: A line joining Dovns Klint (54 43 N 10 42 E) at the southern extremity of Langeland to Vejsnæs Nakke (54 49'N 10 25'E), the southern extremity of this island; and thence from Vejsnæs Nakke westward to joining Gammel Pøl (54 53 N 10 04 E) on the Danish island Als, and further to Falshöft (54 47 N 9 58 E) on the coast of Germany. On the West: From Falshöft (54 47 N 9 58 E) northward, along the coasts of Germany and Jylland (Denmark), to Bjørnsknude (55 42'N 10 02'E) on the east coast of Jylland, in Denmark. 3 The Great Belt The limits of The Great Belt, situated between the Danish islands of Sjaelland, Falster and Lolland on the East, and Fyn and Langelandon the West, are the following: On the North: A line joining Fyns Hoved (55 37'N 10 36'E) the northeastern extremity of Fyn, northeastward to Røsnæs (55 45'N 10 52'E), on the western extremity of Sjælland. On the East: From Røsnæs, southward, along the western coasts of Sjælland and Lolland, to Kappel (54 46 N 11 00 E), on the south-western coast of Lolland. On the South: A line joining Kappel, westward to Dovns Klint (54 43 N 10 42 E), the southern extremity of Langeland. On the West: From Dovns Klint northward and southward, along the eastern and western coasts of Langeland, to Næshoved (54 59 N 10 46 E); thence from Næshoved north-westward, a line to Thurø Rev (55 02 N 10 43 E), on Fyn; and thence from Thurø Rev northward, along the eastern coast of Fyn, to Fyns Hoved (55 37'N 10 36'E) the northeastern extremity of Fyn. 4 The Sound Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 4 (12) 21 May 2012

The limits of The Sound, situated between the Danish island of Sjaelland and the southwestern coast of Sweden, are the following: On the North: A line joining Gilbjerg Hoved (56 08'N 12 17'E), the northern extremity of Sjælland, in Denmark, north-eastward to Kullen (56 18'N 12 27'E), in Sweden On the East: From Kullen, southward, along the south-western coast of Sweden, to Falsterbo (55 23'N 12 49'E), the southwestern extremity of Sweden. On the South: A line joining Falsterbo in Sweden, south-westward to Stevns (55 18'N - 12 27'E), on the eastern coast of Sjælland, in Denmark. On the West: From Stevns northward, along the eastern coast of Sjælland, to Gilbjerg Hoved (56 08'N - 12 17'E), the northern extremity of this island 5 Western Baltic [Sea] The limits of the Western Baltic are as follows: On the North: From Falshöft (54 47 N 9 58 E) on the coast of Germany, a line eastward to Vejsnæs Nakke (54 49'N 10 25'E) on the Danish island Ærø and further eastward and northward along the southern coasts of the Danish islands of Ærø, Langeland and Lolland and the eastern coasts of Falster, Møn and Sjælland to Stevns (55 17 N 12 27 E) and further to Falsterbo (55 23 N 12 49 E), on the south-western extremity of Sweden. On the East: A line joining Falsterbo (55 23 N 12 49 E) in Sweden and Arkona (54 41 N 13 26 E) in Germany On the South and West: The northern coast of Germany, from Arkona (54 41 N 13 26 E), westward and northward to Falshöft (54 47 N 9 58 E). 6 Southern Baltic [Sea] Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 5 (12) 21 May 2012

The limits of the Southern Baltic are as follows: On the West: A line joining Arkona (54 41 N 13 26 E) in Germany and Falsterbo in Sweden (55 23 N 12 49 E). On the North: The Swedish coast from Falsterbo (55 23 N 12 49 E), east- and northward along the Swedish coast to Ekenäs (56 30 N 16 10 E) and further eastward along the parallel of 56 30 N to position 56 30 N 17 00 E east of Öland. On the East: The meridian 17 00 E from position 56 30 N 17 00 E, east of Öland to Rowy in Poland (54 38 N 17 00 E). On the South: The northern coasts of Poland and Germany, from Rowy in Poland (54 38 N 17 00 E), westward to Arkona (54 41 N 13 26 E) in Germany. 7 South-Eastern Baltic [Sea] The limits of the South-Eastern Baltic are as follows: On the West: From Rowy (54 38 N 17 00 E) in Poland, northward along the meridian 17 00 E to position 58 12 N 17 00, east of Öland. On the North: The parallel 56 30 N from position 56 30 N 17 00, east of Öland, eastward to Liepaja (56 30 N 21 00 E) in Latvia. On the East and South: The coasts of Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Poland, from Liepaja (56 30 N 21 00 E), south- and westward to Rowy (54 38 N 17 00 E) in Poland. If needed, it can be divided into the following sub-areas: Gulf of Gdansk Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 6 (12) 21 May 2012

7.1 Gulf of Gdansk Bay of Gdansk is located in the southern part of the Baltic Sea. The limit of the Bay of Gdansk runs N through: 54 57,7` N; 19 58,9` E Mys Taran; 54 50,1` N; 18 20,2` E Rozewie. 7.1 Gulf of Gdansk 8 Central Baltic [Sea] The limits of the Central Baltic are as follows: On the South: The parallel 56 30 N from Liepaja (56 30 N 21 00 E) in Latvia westward to Ekenäs (56 30 N 16 10 E) on the Swedish mainland. On the West: The eastern coast of Sweden from Ekenäs (56 30 N 16 10 E) northward to Norra Finnö (58 20 N 16 50 E). On the North: The parallel 58 20 N from Norra Finnö (58 20 N 16 50 E) in Sweden eastward to Eeriksaare poolsaar (58º20 N; 21º53 E) on island Saaremaa in Estonia. On the East: The western coast of Saaremaa, Estonia, from Loonalaid (58 20 N 21 48 E) southward to Sõrve Spit (57 55 N 22 03 E), and further across Irbe Strait to the Latvian north coast (57 37 N 22 03 E) and continue southward along the western coast of Latvia to Liepaja (56 30 N 21 00 E). 9 Northern Baltic [Sea] Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 7 (12) 21 May 2012

The limits of the Northern Baltic are as follows: On the South: The parallel 58º20 N, from Eeriksaare poolsaar 1 (58º20 N; 21º53 E) on the island Saaremaa in Estonia, westward to Norra Finnö (58º20 N; 16º50 E) in Sweden. On the West: The eastern coast of Sweden from Norra Finnö (58 20 N 16 50 E) northward to Arholma (59 50 N 19 07 E). On the North: The parallel 59 50 N, from Arholma (59 50 N 19 07 E) in Sweden, eastward to Hanko (59 50 N 23 00 E) in Finland. On the East: From Hanko (59º50 N 23º00 E) in Finland to Põõsaspea neem (59º14 N 23º31 E) on NW point of Estonia, and thence westward to Tahkuna nina (59º06 N 22º35 E) on the island Hiiumaa and further west- and southward along the western coast of the island Hiiumaa up to southern point of the island (58º41 N 23º34 E) and thence southward a line up to Pammana nina (58º39 N 22º34 E) on the island Saaremaa and further southward up to Eeriksaare poolsaar (58º20 N; 21º53 E) on the island. 10 Gulf of Riga The limits of the Gulf of Riga, situated in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea, are the following: On the North: From Sõrve säär (57 55 N 22 03 E) along the southeastern coast of the Island Saaremaa to Kübassaare poolsaar (58º26 N; 23º19 E) and thence along the parallel 58º26 N to Paagi säär (58º26 N; 23º41 E) on the west coast of Estonia. On the East and South: Along the coasts of Estonia and Latvia, from Paagi säär (58º26 N; 23º41 E) in Estonia, South-, North- and Westward to Mikelbaka (57 36 N 21 58 E) on the Latvian coast of Irbe Strait. 1 poolsaar (Estonian) = peninsula neem (Estonian) = cape Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 8 (12) 21 May 2012

On the West: From Mikelbaka (57 36 N 21 58 E) on the Latvian north coast northward across Irbe Strait to Sõrve säär (57 55 N 22 03 E), the southern extremity of island Saaremaa in Estonia. 11 Väinämeri Sound The limits of the Väinameri sound are as follows: On the South: The parallel 58º26 N, from Paagi säär 2 (58º26 N; 23º41 E) on the west coast of Estonia, westward to Kübassaare poolsaar (58º26 N; 23º19 E) on the Saaremaa Island. On the West: From Kübassaare poolsaar (58º26 N 23º19 E), on the island Saaremaa, northward along the eastern and northern coast of the island Saaremaa up to Pammana nina (58º39 N 22º34 E) and further northward a line to the southern point of the island Hiiumaa (58º41 N 23º34 E), and thence along the southern and eastern coast of the island Hiiumaa up to Tahkuna nina (59º06 N 22º35 E). On the North: From Põõsaspea neem (59º14 N; 23º31 E), the NW point of Estonia westward to Tahkuna neem (59º06 N; 22º35 E) on the island Hiiumaa. On the East: From Põõsaspea neem (59º14 N; 23º31 E) southward, along the western coast of Estonia, to Paagi säär (58º26 N; 23º41 E). 12 Gulf of Finland The limits of the Gulf of Finland, situated in the eastern part of the Baltic Sea, are the following: 2 säär (Estonian) = spit poolsaar (Estonian) = peninsula neem (Estonian) = cape Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 9 (12) 21 May 2012

On the North, East and South: The coasts of Finland, Russia and Estonia, from Hanko (59 50 N; 23 00 E) in Finland, East-, South- and Westward to Põõsaspea neem (59º14 N; 23º31 E), the NW point of Estonia. On the West: From Põõsaspea neem (59º14 N; 23º31 E), the NW point of Estonia northward to Hanko (59 50 N 23 00 E) in Finland. 13 Åland Sea The limits of the Åland Sea are as follows: On the South: The parallel 59 50 N from south of Fästorna (59 50 N 20 20 E) in Finland, westward to Arholma (59 50 N 19 07 E) in Sweden. On the West: The eastern coast of Sweden from Arholma (59 50 N 19 07 E) northward to Ängskärsskaten (60 30 N 18 05 E). On the North: The parallel 60 30 N, from Ängskärsskaten (60 30 N 18 05 E) in Sweden eastward to longitude 19 55 E, north of Koksnan. On the East: A line joining the water north of Koksnan (60 30 N 19 55 E) and the water south of Fästorna (59 50 N 20 20 E). 14 Archipelago Sea The limits of the Archipelago Sea are as follows: On the South: The parallel 59 50 N, from Hanko (59 50 N 23 00 E) in Finland westward to the water south of Fästorna (59 50 N 20 20 E). On the West: A line joining the water south of Fästorna (59 50 N 20 20 E) and the water north of Koksnan (60 30 N 19 55 E). On the North: The parallel 60 30 N, from the water north of Koksnan (60 30 N 19 55 E) eastward to Kustavi (60 30 N 21 30 E) in Finland. Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 10 (12) 21 May 2012

On the East: The western coast of Finland from Kustavi (60 30 N 21 30 E) southward to Hanko (59 50 N 23 00 E). 15 Gulf of Bothnia The Gulf of Bothnia, situated in the northern part of the Baltic Sea. If needed, the Gulf of Bothnia can be divided into the following sub-areas; Bothnian Sea, The Quark and Bay of Bothnia. The limits of these areas are as follows: 15.1 Bothnian Sea On the South: Along the parallel 60 30 N from Kustavi (60 30 N 21 30 E) in Finland to Ängskärsskaten (60 30 N 18 05 E) in Sweden. On the West: The eastern coast of Sweden from Ängskärsskaten (60 30 N 18 05 E) northward to Järnäsudde (63 26 N 19 40 E). On the North: A line joining Järnäsudde (63 26 N 19 40 E) in Sweden and Halsön (62 50 N 21 10 E) in Finland. On the East: The western coast of Finland from Halsön (62 50 N 21 10 E) southward to Kustavi (60 30 N 21 30 E) 15.2 The Quark On the South: A line joining Halsön (62 50 N 21 10 E) in Finland and Järnäsudde (63 26 N 19 40 E) in Sweden. Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 11 (12) 21 May 2012

On the West: The eastern coast of Sweden from Järnäsudde (63 26 N 19 40 E) northward to Ratan (63 59 N 20 54 E). On the North: A line joining Ratan (63 59 N 20 54 E) in Sweden and Stubben (63 31 N 22 10 E) in Finland. On the East: The western coast of Finland from Stubben (63 31 N 22 10 E) southward to Halsön (62 50 N 21 10 E) 15.3 Bay of Bothnia On the South: A line joining Stubben (63 31 N 22 10 E) in Finland and Ratan (63 59 N 20 54 E) in Sweden. On the West, North and East: The coasts of Sweden and Finland Draft BSHC Recommendation for the names of Baltic_Sea_May2012 Page 12 (12) 21 May 2012

The Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS) has the responsibility of maintaining and administering the limits of oceans and seas adjacent to Australia, the external territories and the Australian Antarctic Territory. The limits are published in the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) publication S-23 Limits of Oceans and Seas, S-23 is used as a technical reference document by the national hydrographic offices to define the limits of oceans and seas when compiling their charts and preparing their nautical publications. LIMITS of OCEANS & SEAS S-23 was first published in August 1928 following outcomes of the International Hydrographic Conferences in 1919 and 1926 that resolved: the object of laying down limits is to enable seaman, as well as Hydrographic Offices to know that all Notice to Mariners headed with the name of a sea or Ocean will deal with the same area. In July 1937 the 2nd edition was published followed by the current published 3rd Edition dated 1953. Compilation of a 4th edition has been commenced but not yet published. Following a review of S-23 in 2000, Australia submitted amendments to the IHO in 2001. These amendments had been endorsed by the Interdepartmental Committee of Surveying and Mapping under ICSM Resolution ROO/11/06 - Limits of Oceans and Seas and Offshore Undersea Features (April 2001). The AHS uses the limits endorsed under this ICSM resolution in its compilation of navigational charts and writing of nautical publications and consistent with the caveat on all previous editions of S-23: The limits have been drawn up solely for hydrographic purposes. It must not be construed as having any legal or political connotation whatsoever. 1 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2012

2 For information Contact: Geographic Names Element Nautical Information and Publications Section Australian Hydrographic Office 8 Station Street Wollongong NSW 2500 Telephone : 02 42236588 Email: hydro.nautinfo@defence.gov.au