site.btaEnvironmentalist Calls for Better Knowledge of Black Sea and Institutional Coordination to Tackle Its Vulnerabilities

The Black Sea is extremely vulnerable to both natural phenomena and human activity, which is why better coordination between institutions and increased knowledge about it are important, ecologist Dimitar Popov from the Green Balkans organization stressed in an interview for BTA on Thursday.

On March 5, the Environment and Water Ministry launched a Coordination Unit for Marine Policies, aiming to achieve more effective management of processes and information related to the Black Sea and improve coordination between competent institutions and scientific organizations. On this occasion, Green Balkans published a White Paper on Marine Literacy in the Black Sea Region.

The launch of a new specialized unit is good news, Popov said, pointing out however that in Bulgaria various institutions are responsible for the Black Sea. "We have a maritime administration, regional inspectorates of environment and water, a basin directorate, and more. When there is a serios problem, each of these departments seeks a solution, while a common approach would be needed," the expert commented.

In order to make better decisions about the Black Sea, it is necessary not only to have higher awareness among institutions, but also among citizens, Popov noted, adding that the White Paper gives specific recommendations to the central government, local authorities and non-governmental organizations.

In some cities such as Burgas there are youth centres where environmental topics are discussed, in particular about the sea, Popov noted, emphasizing that environmental education, including about the sea, should start at an early age. "It is worth noting that the Black Sea is almost entirely enclosed, with several rivers flowing into it, which makes it vulnerable to pollution," the ecologist pointed out, adding that almost 90% of its volume lacks oxygen.

Despite improvements made over the years, for example, the construction of water treatment plants, in some cases they cannot meet the pressure from property development and the increasing number of tourists, Popov concluded.

The White Paper on Marine Literacy in the Black Sea Region was prepared within the framework of the Environmental Education and Marine Literacy in the Black Sea Basin Project, co-financed by the EU through the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin 2021-2027 Programme.