site.bta150 to 220 People Graduate from Diver Courses in Bulgaria Annually - Expert

Between 150 and 220 people graduate from diver courses in Bulgaria every year, Ilia Krastev, head of training at the Bulgarian National Association of Underwater Activity (BNAUA), told BTA here on Saturday. BNAUA Deputy Chair Darina Ivanova said that foreign tourists' interest in diving in the Black Sea is constantly growing.

The southern Black Sea coast is more attractive, as it has more shipwrecks, while the northern one is harsher, Ivanova said. She added that many foreign divers find the Black Sea an exotic destination particularly due to the water challenging them with its lower visibility.

The interesting places in the Black Sea are at depths of up to 40 metres, Krastev said. He added that many divers have been spoiled by other seas with clearer waters, which is why the Black Sea piques their interest. Its unique flora and fauna are also points of interest.

As a problem that threatens diving in Bulgaria, Krastev pointed to the lack of legal provisions for diving safety. BNAUA members work according to the regulations of international organizations, especially the World Underwater Federation. According to Krastev, Bulgaria also lacks regulations on the structure of diving centres and clubs. He noted that until 10 years ago, the association had made efforts to introduce national rules, but the state authorities had not paid attention to the matter.

Ivanova said that the procedures for issuing permits for diving near wrecks, of which there are plenty off the Bulgarian coast, should be streamlined at the national level. In her words, the rules for submerging objects in the sea should also be eased. Other countries use all opportunities to sink unnecessary ships, boats, wagons, which become tourist attractions and also turn into artificial reefs over time, Ivanova said.

Ivanova and Krastev were among the participants at the BNAUA anniversary conference marking the association's 25th anniversary. Commemorative plaques were awarded to figures that have contributed to the development of diving in Bulgaria.