TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADVISORY GROUP ON CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (AG CBD)

The Advisory Group on Conservation of Biological Diversity provides the Black Sea Commission "with the best possible advice and information on state of biological diversity in the Black Sea and propose measures for its protection, conservation and sustainable use of its components as it deems necessary for the implementation of the Bucharest Convention, its Protocols, and the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan." (Annex I, BS SAP, 1996).

Legal Status and Institutional Structure

The Advisory Group on Conservation of Biological Diversity (AG CBD) is an integral part of the Black Sea Commission institutional structure and constitutes its subsidiary body:

a) The AG CBD is comprised of the national focal points nominated by the member of the Black Sea Commission and is responsible for facilitation of links between the Black Sea Commission, the relevant national authorities and regional and national scientific expertise; the national focal points are responsible for the accurate and timely delivered national information on the conservation of biological diversity as it deems necessary for the Black Sea Commission;

b) The Advisory Group on Conservation of Biological Diversity is supported by Activity Center on Conservation of Biological Diversity, Batumi , Georgia , which coordinates the necessary programmatic support and provisions of practical technical support for its work. The Activity Center is based upon the one created following the resolution of Bucharest Diplomatic Conference 1992 and with the assistance of BSEP and shall function with in-kind contribution by the Government of Georgia with additional financial assistance from donors where possible and necessary. The members of the Advisory Group shall elect its chairperson among themselves for two years;

c) Following the Rules of Procedure of the BSC the AG CBD may propose that any individual able to provide expertise related to the biological diversity and assist in producing the recommendations required by the Black Sea Commission as well as assist the training activities within the work program of the Group will be invited to the events within the working plan of the Group.

Main responsibilities

The AG CBD acts in advisory, coordinating, and information capacities for the regional purposes of the Black Sea Commission including but not limited:

1. drafting recommendations and draft documents upon the request of the Black Sea Commission in order to:

a. formulate or propose regional policies, regional strategies and actions for Conservation of Biological Diversity ;

b. strengthen relationships between national and international environmental authorities, relevant institutions and governmental bodies and international organizations and with all stakeholders, including the private sector (fisheries, shipping, oil and gas industries, land-based sources);

c. assist the Contracting Parties in implementing regionally relevant provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES, ACCOBAMS and other conventions relevant to the above issues ;

2. acting as a regional consulting body for regionally important activities related to conservation of biological diversity for the Black Sea countries in close collaboration with other national and international organizations taking into consideration landscape issues as deems necessary;

3. coordinating the regional trainings in conservation and protection of biological and landscape diversity as it deems necessary;

4. drafting proposals and attracting the international financial assistance for solving regionally important environmental problems related to the conservation of biological and landscape diversity;

5. coordinating and maintaining the regional database on the conservation of biological and landscape diversity as an integral part of the Black Sea Information System.

Main tasks

Specifically, the Advisory Group on Conservation of Biological Diversity is responsible for preparation of the recommendations and documents to be considered by the Black Sea Commission and the regional coordination of following tasks:

1. propose a revision of the Black Sea Protocol on Biological and Landscape Diversity Conservation and its annexes as it deems necessary;

2. regional activities for conservation of biological diversity, including:

a) methodological and technical support for actions taken to protect biological diversity in the Black Sea according to the provisions of the Bucharest Convention, the Odesa Declaration, the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Pan-European Strategy on Biological and Landscape Diversity, Bonn Convention on Protection of the Migratory Species, ACCOBAMS and other relevant conventions, agreements and programs;

b) a preparation of regional inventories of the biological and habitat diversity and their update on the five years basis in order to evaluate the trends and to recommend remedial actions;

c) compiling the information on conservation status of the Black Sea species and their habitats;

d) gathering of historical records of changes in biological diversity;

e) elaboration of the draft Regional Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy as well as Regional Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan to the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution and its revision as it deems necessary.

3. development of criteria/guidelines for identifying areas of coastal or marine ecosystems that require the conservation and protection measures in accordance with the Protocol on Biological and Landscape Diversity to the Bucharest Convention. The AG CBD shall compile the list of such areas and ecosystems that meet these criteria;

4. revision, maintenance and update the Black Sea Red Data Book on the rare and endangered species;

5. development and regular update of the List of Species of the Black Sea Importance;

6. The List of Species Whose Exploitation Should Be Regulatedshould be prepared and regularly updated by AG CBD and AG FOMLR in order to ensure that use of these species areas is sustainable.

Interaction within the Black SeaCommission Institutional Structure

The AG CBD is directly subordinated to and supported by the Black Sea Commission and its Permanent Secretariat and shall report to the Black Sea Commission on annual basis. The general coordination for the AG CBD is assigned by the Commission to the appropriate officer of its Permanent Secretariat and supported by the Coordinator of the Activity Center on Conservation of Biological Diversity in Batumi, Georgia .

The AG CBD shall closely cooperate with the other advisory groups of the Black Sea Commission in order to propose the coherent and cost effective measures for the protection and rehabilitation of the Black Sea ecosystem, namely:

a) with the Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment in order to develop the set of biological indicators on the state of environment to be used by the Commission in formulating environmental policies and decision making process where appropriate.

b) with the Advisory Group on Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping in developing measures to prevent the invasion of the alien species in the Black Sea and recommendations on the control and regulation of ballast water discharges.

c) with the Advisory Group on the Development of the Common Methodology for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the establishing coastal protected areas, landscape conservation, and development criteria for ecologically sustainable development of the human activities where appropriate.

d) with the Advisory Group on Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources to protect the indigenous fish populations, including restoration of fish stock, assist the AG FOMLR in developing recommendations for the sustainable fisheries and exploitation of other marine resources; finalization and implementation of the Fisheries Convention

e) with Advisory Group on Information and Data Exchange in maintaining the biodiversity component in the Black Sea Information System (BSIS)

The AG CBD shall take part in joint groups, particularly on such issues as pollution assessment, fisheries development and environmental impact assessment, amongst others.

Interaction with other conventions and stakeholders

In order to achieve tangible results and benefit from the international experience the AGCBD, when authorized by the BSC and on its behalf, shall seek:

1. collaboration with national conservation networks and research institutions in Black Sea coastal states in order to achieve sustainability and continuity of the implementation of BS SAP

2. Close collaboration with ACCOBAMS Secretariat and its regional representatives in the line with the MOU between ACCOBAMS and BSC Secretariats

3. cooperation and direct involvement of the private sector in promotion and use of the environmentally friendly economic activities

4. preparation of twinning projects with UN and European conventions, Convention on Biological Diversity, RAMSAR, CITES, ACCOBAMS, PEBLS etc.

5. involvement of general public, NGOs communities, local biodiversity conservation groups

Reporting requirements:

In order to facilitate the Black Sea Commission work and to lessen the burden of the national reporting to the Bucharest Convention the AG CBD shall develop and implement a comprehensive reporting system on the conservation of biological diversity, namely:

1. elaborate and regular update questionnaire on the conservation of biological diversity relevant to the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan;

2. prepare and submit its work plan to the Permanent Secretariattwo months prior the annual Black Sea Commission meetings for its approval and incorporation in the Black Sea Commission Work Plan;

3. compile the annual report on current statusof conservation of biological diversity in a format approved by the Commission two months prior the regular Commission meeting;

4. in cooperation with other advisory groups and the Permanent Secretariat prepare and submit a chapter "Conservation of Biological Diversity " to the State of the Environment of the Black Sea Reportevery five years two months prior the Meeting of the Environmental Ministers;

5. The AG CBD shall convene a meeting at least once a yearbut no later than two months prior the Commission Meeting. Upon availability of funds and urgency of the issue under discussion more meetings could be called by the AG CBD. The Minutes of each AG CBD meeting should be delivered to the Permanent Secretariat not later than 10 days after meeting.

TORs Revision:

The AG CBD shall review the Terms of References, propose necessarychanges, as it deems necessary and submit it to the Secretariat two months prior the Black Sea Commissions meetings

TERMS of REFERENCE for the Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management

The Advisory Group on Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone (AG ICZM) gives advice to the Black Sea Commission on proper management of the coastal zone and elaboration and implementation of regionally coordinated integrated coastal zone management strategies, methodologies and instruments in the context of sustainable development (Annex I, BS SAP, 1996).

Legal Status and Institutional Structure.

The Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone is an integral part of the Black Sea Commission institutional structure and constitutes its subsidiary body:

a) The AG ICZM is comprised of the national focal points nominated by the member of the Black Sea Commission, a director of activity center and is responsible for facilitation of links between the Black Sea Commission, the relevant national authorities and regional and national scientific expertise; the national focal points are responsible for the accurate and timely delivered national information on ICZM as it deems necessary for the Black Sea Commission;

b) The Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone is supported by the Activity Center on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone which provides the necessary programmatic and technical support for the work of the AG ICZM. The Activity Center is based upon the one created following the Resolution of Bucharest Diplomatic Conference 1992 and with the assistance of BSEP and shall function with in-kind contribution by the Government of the Russian Federation with additional financial assistance from donors where possible and necessary. The members of the Advisory Group shall elect its chairperson among themselves for two years;

c) Following the Rules of Procedure of the BSC the AG ICZM may propose that any individual, able to provide expertise related to the ICZM and assist in producing the recommendations required by the BSC as well as assist the training activities within the work program of the Group, could be invited to the events within the work plan of the AG ICZM.

Main responsibilities

The AG ICZM acts in advisory and information capacities for the regional purposes of the Black Sea Commission by:

1. Drafting recommendations and policies for the Black Sea Commission for the following:

a) formulating the regional policies and proposing regional strategy and actions for Integrated Coastal Zone Management;

b) strengthening integration among different sectors at the local, national and regional levels, relevant institutions, governmental bodies and international organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders;

c) harmonization of already applied ICZM instruments at the regional level in the Black Sea coastal countries;

2. acting as the BSC consultative body for regionally important activities related to ICZM in close cooperation with relevant national authorities;

3. coordinating the regional scientific studies and training activities in ICZM as it deems necessary;

4. drafting proposals and advising the BSC in attracting the international financial assistance for solving regionally important environmental problems related to integrated coastal zone management;

5. developing and applying environmental decision support systems based on the GIS technologies.

Main tasks

Specifically, the ICZM group is responsible for preparation of recommendations and documents to be considered by the Black Sea Commission and the regional coordination of following tasks:

1. Preparation and revision of the Regional ICZM Policies and Strategies;

2. Preparation and revision of the Regional Coastal Code of Conduct;

3. Development of possible scenarios and assessment of their probable consequences concerning the most acute threats to Black Sea coasts

4. Development, analysis and definition of appropriate indicators for comprehensive description of the status of the Black Sea coast and for the efficiency of the ICZM process and activities;

5. Definition and dissemination on the regional level of the good practices and tools for the decision-making in the framework of ICZM;

6. Elaboration and promotion of ICZM implementation initiatives and projects on local level;

7. Identification of existing international programs of relevance for solving regionally important or transboundary problems of the Black Sea coastal zone management and drafting specific project proposals for these programs;

8. Support all activities or/and proposals for conservation of the coast in order to keep the target value of 20% for the intact coast and enlarged it to 30% percents;

9. Development and maintenance of the regional database on coastal environmental pressures and threats for Black Sea Information System.

Interaction within the Black Sea Commission Institutional Structure

1. The AG ICZM is directly subordinated to the Black Sea Commission and its Permanent Secretariat and shall report to the Black Sea Commission on annual basis. The general coordination is assigned by the Black Sea Commission to the Permanent Secretariat of BSC and to the Activity Centre on ICZM.

2. The AG ICZM shall closely cooperate with the all advisory groups of the Black Sea Commission in order to propose the coherent and cost effective measures for the protection and rehabilitation of the Black Sea ecosystem.

3. The AG ICZM shall cooperate with respective institutions in the region and joint groups that may be set up from time-to-time, particularly on such issues as land use planning, pollution assessment, environmental impact assessment, coastal erosion, sustainable development of tourism and fisheries, aquaculture, strategic environmental impact assessment, etc.

Cooperation with other conventions and stakeholders

In order to achieve tangible results and benefit from the international experience the AG ICZM, when authorized by the BSC and on its behalf, shall seek:

1. Twining projects and joint activities with the appropriate bodies of the relevant global and regional conventions and agreements.

2. Coherence and coordination of concurrent activities with international research programs, projects and bodies.

3. Cooperation and direct involvement of all the stakeholders off the Black Sea coastal zone to promote sustainable development.

4. Best use of expertise and institutional capacity within the region and, within its work plan approved on an annual basis by the Commission, cooperate on specific tasks with any institution or expert that it considers appropriate.

5. Strengthening and further development of the existing ICZM network.

6. Increased involvement of general public, NGOs and local communities in the ICZM activities.

Reporting requirements:

In order to facilitate the Black Sea Commission work and to lessen the burden of the national reporting to the Black Sea Commission the AG ICZM shall develop and implement a comprehensive reporting system on the ICZM related problems and activities, namely:

1. elaborate, regularly fill in and update questionnaire on the ICZM relevant issues to the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan and impact of ICZM on the coastal environment,

2. prepare and submit its draft work plan to the BSC Permanent Secretariat two months prior the annual Black Sea Commission meetings for BSC approval and incorporation in the BSC Work Plan,

3. compile the annual report on current status of integrated coastal zone management and pressures on the coastal environment in a format approved by the Commission two months prior the regular Black Sea Commission meeting,

4. in cooperation with other advisory groups and the Permanent Secretariat prepare and submit a chapter on coastal pressures and threats to the State of the Environment of the Black Sea Report every five years six months prior the Meeting of the Ministers of Environment,

5. The AG ICZM shall convene a meeting at least once a year but no later than two months prior the Commission Meeting. More meetings could be convened upon availability of funds and urgency of the issue under discussion. The Minutes of each AG ICZM meeting should be delivered to the Permanent Secretariat not later than 10 days after meeting.

TOR Revision:

The AG ICZM shall review the Terms of References, propose necessary changes, as it deems necessary and submit it to the Secretariat two months prior the Commission meeting.

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADVISORY GROUP ON POLLUTION MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT (AG PMA)

The Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment (AG PMA) gives advice to the BSC on "the regionally coordinated networks of national status and trend monitoring and assessment programs for the decision making purposes" (Annex I, BS SAP, 1996).

Legal Status and Institutional Structure.

The Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment is an integral part of the Black Sea Commission institutional structure and constitutes its subsidiary body:

a)  The AG PMA is comprised of the national focal points nominated by the member of the Black Sea Commission, director of the relevant activity center and is responsible for facilitation of links between the Black Sea Commission, the relevant national authorities and regional and national scientific expertise; the national focal points are responsible for the accurate and timely delivered national information on the pollution monitoring and assessment as it deems necessary for the Black Sea Commission.

b)  The Advisory Group on Pollution and Assessment is supported by Activity Center on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment, Odessa, Ukraine is supported by Activity Center on Pollution and Assessment is supported by Activity Center on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment, Odessa, Ukraine , which coordinates the necessary programmatic support and provisions of practical technical support for its work. The Activity Center is based upon the one created following the Resolution 4, Item 3 of Bucharest diplomatic conference 1992 and with the assistance of BSEP and shall function with in-kind contribution by the Government of Ukraine with additional financial assistance from donors where possible and necessary. The members of the Advisory Group shall elect its chairperson among themselves for two years.

c)  Following the Rules of Procedure of the BSC the AG PMA may propose that any individual able to provide expertise related to the monitoring and assessment of the Black Sea environment and assist in producing the recommendations required by the BSC as well as assist the training activities within the work program of the Group will be invited to the events within the working plan of the Group.

Main responsibilities

The AG PMA acts in advisory, coordinating, and information capacities for the regional purposes of the Black Sea Commission including but not limited to:

1.   drafting recommendations and policies for the Black Sea Commission for the followings:

a.   establishing regional environmental quality objectives, criteria and, where possible standards, for assessing the state of the environment taking into account the holistic approach;

b.  formulating the regional policies and proposing actions for regional pollution monitoring and assessment, bathing water quality included;

c.   strengthening of the relationships between all the interested parties in the region (environmental authorities, health authorities and both national and international relevant institutions and governmental bodies and international organizations such as UNEP, EU, EEA, etc. , the business and public sectors) in the field of monitoring and assessment;

2.   acting as a regional consulting body for regionally important activities related to environmental monitoring and assessment for the Black Sea coastal states in close collaboration with relevant national authorities, EEA and other organizations;

3.   identifying the needs for the regional training relevant for environmental monitoring and assessment, including quality assurance and quality control and inter comparison exercises;

4.   drafting proposals to attract the national and international financial assistance for implementing regionally coordinated Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Program (BSIMAP);

5.   ensuring timely data flow, reviewing tools for assessment and data presentation to the regional database on the environmental status of the Black Sea ecosystem as an integral part of the Black Sea Information System.

Main tasks

Specifically, the Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment is responsible for preparing the recommendations and documents to be considered by the Black Sea Commission and the regional coordination of following tasks:

1. preparation and regular revision of the Regional Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Program for assessing environmental status and trends in the Black Sea;
2. setting up Quality Assurance/Quality Control services for environmental chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological analyses;
3. coordination of pilot monitoring activities and facilitation of information exchange between the Contracting Parties;
4. coordination of regional training exercises in monitoring and assessment and quality assurance and quality control;
5. coordination of regional multi-disciplinary expert consultations for revision, as it deems necessary, common environmental objectives and standards for different water uses in the Black Sea taking into consideration the European Water Framework Directive as adopted on October 23, 2000;
6. at the request of the Commission, establishment of an assessment plan for the issues under consideration, including assessment tools, procedures and criteria. The assessment plan shall allow the integration of information from the national monitoring data at the regional level;
7. development of the set of technical guidelines to assure the uniformity of measurements and establish the quality assurance system for the regional and national monitoring efforts;
8. development of a regional database on the pollution and its impacts on the Black Sea ecosystem and human health; maintaining a comprehensive information flow between the stakeholders of the Contracting Parties, the general public included.

Interaction within the Black Sea Commission Institutional Structure

The AG PMA is directly subordinated to and supported by the Black Sea Commission and its Permanent Secretariat and shall report to the Black Sea Commission on annual basis. The general coordination for the AG PMA is assigned by the Commission to the appropriate officer of its Permanent Secretariat and supported by the Coordinator of the Activity Center on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment, Odesa, Ukraine . The AG PMA collaborates on specific issues with all entities of the Black Sea Commission and other organizations as follow:

1.   with National Monitoring Networks and research institutions in all Black Sea countries, international research programs and projects and bodies such as IAEA`s Marine Environmental Laboratory, IOC`s Expert Groups, UNEP, WHO, WMO, EEA, GOOS, etc.;

2. with the Advisory Group on Biological Conservation to include the appropriate biological indicators and biological effects of pollutants in the regional strategy for monitoring and assessment;

3. with the Advisory Group on Pollution Control from Land-based Sources to establish the comprehensive system of indicators for pollution reduction from the land-based sources, to elaborate the regionally harmonized methodologies for assessment of pollution loads from the land based pollution sources in the Black Sea basin and to recommend measures for their reduction in order to assist decision making process for the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution;

4. with the Advisory Group on Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Costal Zone Management on identifying pressures on the Black Sea ecosystem from human activities;

5.   with Advisory Group Environmental and Shipping Safety Aspects of Shipping in order to establish the system for emergency monitoring in the case of accidental pollution or natural disaster and revising the Protocol on Dumping and developing the guidelines for management of dredged spoils;

6.   with the Advisory Group on Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources in the assessment of the environmental conditions of the spawning grounds, environmental impacts of fisheries on ecosystem and human health, and effects of "hot spots" on living marine resources in the region and establishing the sensitive areas and their mapping in particular referring to the migratory routes of transboundary fish species;

7.   joint and/or ad hoc groups from time-to-time, particularly on such issues as pollution assessment, fisheries development and environmental impact assessment, amongst others.

Interaction with other conventions and stakeholders

In order to achieve tangible results and benefit from the international experience the AG PMA when authorized by the Black Sea Commission and on its behalf shall seek:

1. the coherence and coordination of overlapping activities with international research programs and projects and bodies such as IAEA`s Marine Environmental Laboratory, IOC`s Expert Groups, UNEP, WHO, WMO, EEA, GOOS, etc.;
2. best use of expertise and institutional capacity within the region and, within its work plan approved on an annual basis by the Commission, cooperate on specific tasks with any institution or expert that it considers appropriate;
3. collaboration with National Monitoring Networks and research institutions in all Black Sea countries in order to achieve sustainability and continuity of the implementation of BSSAP;
4. information of general public and NGOs communities on threats and trend in the state of the environment of the Black Sea and raise public awareness on above issues;
5. twinning projects with UN and European conventions like MARPOL, EIA, OSPAR, HELCOM, etc.

Reporting requirements:

In order to facilitate the Black Sea Commission work and to lessen the burden of the national reporting to the Bucharest Convention the AG PMA shall develop and implement a comprehensive reporting system on the state of the environment of the Black Sea, namely:

1. elaborate and regular update questionnaire on the state of the environment of the Black Sea relevant to the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan and major trends in the state marine environment,
2. prepare and submit its work plan to the Permanent Secretariat two months prior the annual Black Sea Commission meetings for its approval and incorporation in the Black Sea Commission Work Plan,
3. compile the annual report on current status of environmental state of the environment of the Black Sea in a format approved by the Commission two months prior the regular Commission meeting,
4. in cooperation with other advisory groups and the Permanent Secretariat prepare and submit a chapter "trends and threats to the Black Sea Environment" to the State of the Environment of the Black Sea Report every five years two months prior the Meeting of the Environmental Ministers,
5. The AG PMA shall convene a meeting at least once a year but no later than two months prior the Commission Meeting. More meetings could be called upon availability of funds and urgency of the issue under discussion. The Minutes of each AG PMA meeting should be delivered to the Permanent Secretariat but no later than 10 days after meeting.

The AG PMA shall review the Terms of References, make necessary changes, as it deems necessary and submit it to the Permanent Secretariat two months prior the Commission.

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADVISORY GROUPS ON INFORMATION AND DATA EXCHANGE(AG IDE)

Background

The Advisory Groups (AGs) were defined in the Strategic Action Plan on the Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea, approved in October 1996 (BS SAP 1996). The purpose of the AGs is to provide the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Black Sea Commission or BSC) with the best possible advice and information on topics which are key to the implementation of BS SAP and the Bucharest Convention. The list of AGs includes:

• Advisory Group on the Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping (AG ESAS),
• Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment (AG PMA),
• Advisory Group on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources (AG LBS),
• Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (AG ICZM),
• Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biological Diversity (AG CBD),
• Advisory Group on the Environmental Aspects of Management of Fisheries and other Marine Living Resources (AG FOMLR), and
• Advisory Group on Information and Data Exchange (AG IDE).

The Terms of Reference (ToR) for all AGs except AG IDE have been approved at the 10th BSC Meeting in October 2003 (Meeting documents BSC 10.14). Since then, the AGs are fulfilling their tasks under the coordination of the BSC Permanent Secretariat (PS) supported by Black Sea Governments, and with additional finance from donors where possible and necessary.

Unlike other AGs, the AG IDE has not really started to fulfill its tasks, having met only once to draft its ToR, which still have not been discussed and approved at the BSC meetings. The report on Regional Gap Analysis of the BS SAP Implementation prepared in 2007 identified the inability of AG IDE to fulfill its tasks as a serious gap and recommended that "the group shall be re-established with a special attention to its members to include chairs of advisory groups".

Considering the above and taking into account changes, which have occurred since the time of the first drafting of the AG IDE ToR, this document represents the revised Terms of References of the Advisory Group on Information and Data Exchange to be considered at forthcoming BSC meeting.

Objectives

The Advisory Group on Information and Data Exchange should focus on the improvement of information flow and data exchange in order to set up in the Permanent Secretariat a clearinghouse for Black Sea environmental information and timely provide the Secretariat with materials necessary for assessment of the State of Environment of the Black Sea and preparation of corresponding reports to the Commission.

Legal status and Institutional Structure

The Advisory Group on Information and Data Exchange (AG IDE) is an integral part of the Black Sea Commission institutional structure and constitutes its subsidiary body:

• The AG IDE is comprised of national focal points nominated by the Contracting Parties and is responsible for the facilitation of links between the Black Sea Commission and the relevant national authorities and regional and national scientific expertise. The AG IDE also includes chairs of the other advisory groups as associated members. While nominating the national focal points to the AG IDE, the Contracting Parties are advised to take into consideration the national bodies participating in international data and information exchange, such as National Oceanographic Data Centers (NODC) - members of the UNESCO IODE Black Sea Ocean Data and Information Network;
• The members of the AG IDE shall elect its chairperson among themselves for two years;
• The national focal points speak on behalf of their countries and are responsible for the accurate and timely delivery of requested national information to the BSC PS;
• The AG IDE is coordinated and subordinated to the BSC PS, which provides practical technical support for its work;

Main responsibilities

The AG IDE acts in its advisory, coordinating, and informational capacity for the purpose of BSC to achieve the goals of the Bucharest Convention and BS SAP including but not limited to:

1. Ensuring that data flow and data and information quality within BSC infrastructure is satisfactory for the preparation of periodical reports on the State of Environment of the Black Sea;
2. Elaborating proposals on strengthening the exchange of information and data, including exchange of meta data within the BSC infrastructure;
3. Elaborating proposals on a mechanism for improving public and decision-makers access to the Black Sea environmental information;
4. Establishment of the regional Internet facility comprising:
   • meta level information on environmental data (how to locate the data),
   • copies of (links to) historical data opened for public use,
   • sets of the new data obtained from various international programmes, including those of the Commission,
   • links to data sets from at main World data centers / Networks such as WDC, SeaDataNet and others;
5. Maintenance and updating the existing Black Sea Information System (BSIS) and Black Sea Geographical Information System;
6. Cooperation and data exchange with the national and international Programmes / Networks / Projects in the Black Sea region;
7. Updating the Black Sea Bibliography;
8. Coordinating training on data and information exchange as it deems necessary;
9. Assistance to and cooperation with other networks in the region.

Main tasks

1. Preparation and regular updating of the regional inventory of all available sources of data and information in the Black Sea region (both national and international), which are relevant to the scope of BS SAP;
2. Assisting other Advisory Groups in development of guidelines on data and information exchange within area of their responsibility;
3. Assisting other Advisory Groups in including their data in the BSIS;
4. Setting up Quality Assurance / Quality Control for the data submitted to BSIS;
5. Setting up the electronic repository for the Black Sea Bibliography;
6. Dissemination of the information about State of Environment of the Black Sea, relevant data and BSC demonstration materials to the public through the Internet facility;
7. Identification of bottlenecks or impediments of legal, institutional or technical nature in data and information exchange and proposing mechanisms for facilitation of information flow through improvement of institutional coordination mechanisms with national networks and institutions in the Black Sea countries.

Interaction within the Black Sea Commission Institutional Structure

The AG IDE is directly subordinated to and supported by the BSC and its PS and shall report to the BSC on an annual basis. The general coordination for the AG IDE is assigned by the Commission to the appropriate officer of its Permanent Secretariat. The AG IDE collaborates on specific issues with all entities of the BSC and other organizations as follows:

1. With other Advisory Groups to be aware about data and information exchange within the area of their responsibility; to propose coherent, cost effective measures for the building up, strengthening and efficient functioning of the information exchange in this area; and to facilitate timely delivery of data and information to Permanent Secretariat;
2. With National Monitoring Networks and research institutions in all Black Sea countries, involved in BSC infrastructure in order to achieve sustainability and continuity of the data and information flow for the purposes of the BS SAP implementation.

In order to make collaboration with other Advisory Groups more effective, the chairs of the Groups are included in AG IDE as associated members.

Interaction with other conventions and stakeholders

In order to achieve tangible results and benefit from the international experience the AG IDE, when authorized by the Black Sea Commission and on its behalf, shall seek:

1. Collaboration with national bodies responsible for oceanographic data and information exchange (NODC)
2. Collaboration with other National Monitoring Networks and research institutions in all Black Sea countries in order to involve them in data and information exchange for the BSC purposes;
3. Coherence and coordination of overlapping activities with international research programs and projects and bodies such as Black Sea GOOS, ODIN Black Sea, SeaDataNet project, BSS UPGRADE project, ECOOP project, SESAME Project, EMODNET, MyOcean project, etc.;
4. Collaboration with executive bodies other conventions such as International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) and Caspian Environment Programme (CEP);
5. Information exchange with NGOs communities / networks;
6. Best use of expertise within the region and, within its work plan approved on an annual basis by the Commission, cooperation on specific tasks with any institution or expert that it considers appropriate;

Reporting requirements

In order to facilitate the Black Sea Commission work and to lessen the burden of the national reporting to the Bucharest Convention, the AG IDE shall assist all Advisory Groups in the development and implementation of a comprehensive reporting system on the state of the environment of the Black Sea and will participate in the revising of BSC reporting formats as it deems necessary.

The AG IDE should:

1. Report to the Black Sea Commission on a yearly basis regarding:
   • Data flow, data exchange, data control and availability of information per Advisory Groups and in total;
   • Analysis of gaps and challenges;
   • Recommendations on measures to be undertaken;
2. Prepare and submit its work plan to the Permanent Secretariat two months prior the annual BCS meetings for its approval and incorporation in the Black Sea Commission Work Plan;
3. Participate in the compilation of the annual report on the current State of Environment of the Black Sea;
4. Convene a meeting at least once a year but not later than two months prior the Commission Meeting. More meetings could be called upon the availability of funds and the urgency of the issue in question. The Minutes of each AG IDE meeting should be delivered to the Permanent Secretariat within 10 days after the meeting.

TOR Revision

The AG IDE should review the Terms of References, make necessary changes, as it deems necessary and submit it to the Permanent Secretariat two months prior the Commission annual meeting.

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADVISORY GROUP ON CONTROL OF POLLUTION FROM LAND BASED SOURCES (AG LBS)

The Advisory Group on the Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources (AG LBS) coordinates "the technical support for actions related to the assessment and control of discharges of pollution from land-based sources (direct discharges, riverine inputs, and diffuse sources, including atmospheric depositions) (Annex I, BS SAP, 1996).

Legal Status and Institutional Structure.

The Advisory Group on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources (AG LBS) is an integral part of the Black Sea Commission institutional structure and constitutes its subsidiary body:

a) The AG CBD is comprised of the national focal points, nominated by the member of the Black Sea Commission, a director of the regional activity center and is responsible for facilitation of links between the Black Sea Commission, the relevant national authorities and regional and national scientific expertise; the national focal points are responsible for the accurate and timely delivered national information on the pollution control from land based pollution sources as it deems necessary for the Black Sea Commission.

b) The Advisory Group on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources is supported by Activity Center on Control of Pollution From Land Based Sources based in Istanbul, Turkey , which coordinates the necessary programmatic support and provisions of practical technical support for its work. The Activity Center is based upon the one created following the resolution of Bucharest diplomatic conference 1992 and with the assistance of BSEP and shall function with in-kind contribution by the Government of Turkey with additional financial assistance from donors where possible and necessary. The members of the Advisory Group shall elect its chairperson among themselves for two years.

c) Following the Rules of Procedure of the BSC the AG LBS may propose that any individual able to provide expertise related to the biological diversity and assist in producing the recommendations required by the Black Sea Commission as well as assist the training activities within the work program of the Group will be invited to the events within the working plan of the Group.

Main responsibilities

The AG LBS acts in advisory, coordinating, and information capacities for the regional purposes of the Black Sea Commission by:

1. drafting recommendations and policies for the Black Sea Commission for the followings:

a) formulating Black Sea basin wide strategies for pollution reduction from land based sources;

b) developing and harmonizing approaches, methodologies, and criteria for identification and setting priorities for hot stops" and sensitive areas;

c) promoting the environment related practices, policies, measures for control and management of land-based pollution sources, including permiting procedures, environmental impact assessment, etc.;

d) assisting the Contracting Parties in implementing regionally relevant actions of the Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment From Land-Based Activities;

e) promoting full range of available management tools so as to ensure the sustainability of regional programmes;

f) elaborating new and/or strengthen existing regional cooperative agreements for the reduction and/or elimination of emmisisons/discharges as it deems necessary;

g) elaborating and suggesting cooperative and collaborative actions and partnerships among various stakeholders;

2. acting as a regional consulting body for regionally important activities related to control of pollution from land based sources for national environmental and water management authorities;

3. coordinating the regional training exercises in control of pollution from land based sources including licensing, permits, and enforcement mechanisms;

4. drafting proposals and attracting the financial assistance for solving regionally important environmental problems resulted from land based pollution sources;

5. ensure information flow to the regional database on the land based pollution sources of Black Sea Information System;

Main tasks

Specifically, the Advisory Group on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources is responsible for preparation the recommendations and documents to be considered by the Black Sea Commission and the regional coordination of following tasks:

1. revising and monitoring of the implementation of the Protocol on Control of Pollution From Land Based Sources;

2. improving methodologies, techniques, guidelines and other technical materials for measuring and assessing discharges of pollutants;

3. setting up the harmonized system for monitoring and assessment of actual discharges and necessary quality assurance and quality control system;

4. gathering data from National Focal Points regarding pollution discharges and develop indicators for assessment of efficiency of the managerial and environmental policy measures;

5. establishing and ensuring the maintenance a regional database on actual discharges as an integral part of the Black Sea Information System;

6. developing the harmonized discharges standards and timetable for the implementation of the program and measures aimed at preventing, reducing or elimination, as appropriate, pollution from the land-based sources;

7. development / harmonization of pollution discharge models/scenarios when necessary in order to assist with the establishment of scientific criteria for setting permit levels/emission standards;

8. developing, submitting and revising as it deems necessary, for the Commission approval the format and procedure for the discharge reporting according to the Protocol on Control of Pollution from the Land-based Sources to the Bucharest Convention coordinating the inventories of the "hot spots" at least once in five years and report to the Commission on the progress towards pollution reduction and hot spots elimination;

9. elaborate and regular update questionnaire on the control of pollution from land-based sources relevant to the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan;

10. providing guidance for preparation of work plan and funding of the Activity Center .

Interaction within the Black Sea Commission Institutional Structure

The AG LBS is directly subordinated to and supported by the Black Sea Commission and its Permanent Secretariat and shall report to the Black Sea Commission on annual basis. The general coordination for the AG LBS is assigned by the Commission to the appropriate officer of its Permanent Secretariat and supported by the Coordinator of the Activity Center on the Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources.

The AG LBS shall closely cooperate with the other advisory groups of the Black Sea Commission in order to propose the coherent and cost effective measures for the control of pollution from land based sources, namely:

1. _____________________

a) with the Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment in improving methodologies, techniques, guidelines and other technical materials for measuring and assessing discharges of pollutants; in setting up the harmonized system for monitoring and assessment of actual discharges and necessary quality assurance and quality control system

b) with the Advisory Group on Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping in developing measures for controlling and handling shipping-related wastes and dredged materials, including dumping

c) with the Advisory Group on the Development of the Common Methodology for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management in developing the common methodologies for water management in the coastal zones

d) with the Advisory Group on Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources on aquaculture originated pollution and protection of anadromous species and spawning grounds

e) with Advisory Group on Conservation of Biological Diversity on protection and conservation of habitats

f) with Advisory Group on Information and Data Exchange in maintaining the land-based pollution component in the Black Sea Information System (BSIS)

g) with the Ad hoc Working Group on Water Framework Directive in promoting the regional cooperation and developing strategy for the Black Sea Commission to facilitate the coherent actions in implementation of the principles of the WFD and Bucharest Convention and the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan.

The AG LBS shall take part in joint groups, particularly on such issues as pollution assessment, fisheries development and environmental impact assessment, amongst others when proposed by the Advisory Groups and asked/agreed by the Black Sea Commission

Interaction with other conventions and stakeholders

In order to achieve tangible results and benefit from the international experience the AG LBS, when authorized by the BSC and on its behalf, shall seek:

1. collaboration with national water management authorities and research institutions in Black Sea coastal states in order to achieve sustainability and continuity of the implementation of BS SAP

2. Close collaboration with DABLAS Task Force on prioritization of investment projects

3. cooperation and directly involvement of the private sector in promotion and use of the environmentally friendly economic activities

4. preparation of twinning projects with UN and European conventions

5. involvement of general public, NGOs communities, local stakeholders in particular for combating illegal discharges and waste disposals.

Reporting requirements:

In order to facilitate the Black Sea Commission work and to lessen the burden of the national reporting to the Bucharest Convention the AG LBS shall develop and implement a comprehensive reporting system on the control of pollution from, namely:

1. prepare and submit its work plan to the Permanent Secretariat two months prior the annual Black Sea Commission meetings for its approval and incorporation in the Black Sea Commission Work Plan

2. compile the annual report on current status of land-based pollution sources in a format approved by the Commission two months prior the regular Commission meeting based on the answers to the questionnaire.

3. in cooperation with other advisory groups and the Permanent Secretariat prepare and submit a chapter on the land-based pollution sources to the State of the Environment of the Black Sea Report every five years no later than two months prior the Meeting of the Environmental Ministers

Meetings of the AG LBS

The AG LBS shall convene a meeting at least once a year but no later than two months prior the Commission Meeting. Upon availability of funds and urgency of the issue under discussion more meetings could be called. The Minutes of each AG LBS meeting should be delivered to the Permanent Secretariat not later than 10 days after meeting.

TORs Revision:

The AG LBS shall review the Terms of References, propose necessary changes, as it deems necessary and submit it to the Secretariat two months prior the Commission meeting.

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADVISORY GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF FISHERIES AND OTHER MARINE LIVING RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

The Advisory Group on Environmental Aspects of Management of Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources provides the Commission with best possible advice and the technical support for protection and rehabilitation of marine ecosystem in particular for conservation and sustainable use the marine living resources (Annex I, BS SAP, 1996, amended 2002).

Legal Status and Institutional Structure

The Advisory Group Advisory Group on Environmental Aspects of Management of Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources (AG FOMLR) is an integral part of the Black Sea Commission institutional structure and constitutes its subsidiary body:

a)  The AG FOMLR is comprised of the national focal points nominated by the member of the Black Sea Commission, director of the relevant activity center and is responsible for facilitation of links between the Black Sea Commission, the relevant national authorities and regional and national scientific expertise; the national focal points are responsible for the accurate and timely delivered national information on the management of fisheries and other living resources as it deems necessary for the Black Sea Commission.

b)  The Advisory Group on Environmental Aspects of Management of Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources is supported by Activity Center on Environmental Aspects of Management of Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources, Constanta, Romania , which coordinates the necessary programmatic support and provisions of practical technical support for its work. The Activity Center is based upon the one created following the Resolution 4, Item 3 of Bucharest diplomatic conference 1992 and with the assistance of BSEP and shall function with in-kind contribution by the Government of Romania with additional financial assistance from donors where possible and necessary. The members of the Advisory Group shall elect its chairperson among themselves for two years.

c)  Following the Rules of Procedure of the BSC the AG FOMLR may propose that any individual able to provide expertise related to the environmental aspects of management of fisheries and other living resources and assist in producing the recommendations required by the Black Sea Commission as well as assist the training activities within the work program of the Group will be invited to the events within the working plan of the Group.

Main responsibilities

The AG FOMLR acts in advisory, coordinating, and information capacities for the regional purposes of the Black Sea Commission by:

1.   drafting recommendations and policies for the Black Sea Commission for the followings:

a)  formulating the regional policies and proposing regional strategy and actions for implementation of the ecosystem-based fisheries management and for implementation of the FAO Code for Responsible Fisheries in the Black Sea;

b)  strengthening the relationships between the fisheries sector and environmental authorities (both national and international relevant institutions and governmental bodies as well international organizations and the private sector);

c)  assisting the Contracting Parties in implementing regionally the FAO Code for Responsible Fisheries;

d)  cooperation with FAO and other organizations and agreements

e)  measures to prevent the illegal fishing practices;

f)   harmonization of a legal and institutional framework at the regional level aimed at sustainable use of living resources;

g)  assessments of the efficiency of fisheries management system and environmental impact of the existing fisheries practices;

h)  improvement of management of the Black Sea fish stock exploitation based on harmonized methodologies of assessments based on agreed regional criteria;

i)   development of projects and programs for protection and rehabilitation of marine living resources and fish habitats;

j)    improvement of the aquaculture practice and technologies which do not harm coastal and marine environment, biological diversity and human health;

3.   acting as a regional consulting body for regionally important activities related to environmental aspects of fisheries for the Black Sea countries in close collaboration national authorities and with FAO;

4.   compiling the information on national systems of enforcement and fish stocks in order to establish a regionally harmonized enforcement system;

5.   coordinating the regional trainings in responsible management in fisheries and measures for combating illegal fishing as it deems necessary;

6.   drafting proposals and attracting the international financial assistance for solving regionally important environmental problems related to sustainable use of marine living resources in close cooperation with relevant organizations;

7.   ensuring the regular information flow into regional database on the fisheries and other marine living resources an integral part of the Black Sea Information System.

 

Main tasks

Specifically, the Advisory Group on Environmental Aspects of Management of Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources is responsible for preparation the recommendations and documents to be considered by the Black Sea Commission and the regional coordination of following tasks:

1.   preparation of a draft and facilitation of adoption of a Legally Binding Instrument for Fisheries in the Black Sea

2.    

3.   development of fisheries specific indicators for the exchange of national information on regulations regarding fishing right allocation, fishery efforts, impact of aqua culture and fisheries on natural ecosystems, and good environmental practices for fisheries and aqua culture;

4.   creation, maintenance and upgrading of the Black Sea Fisheries Database comprising information on fisheries statistics, environmental conditions, stock assessments and interdisciplinary research programs in the Black Sea Region as a component of the Black Sea Information System;

5.   development and promotion of standardized techniques of the catch estimates, assessment methods for stocks and exploitable biomass of key species;

6.   facilitation of annual exchanges of national fisheries statistics data and National Fishery Researches Reports;

7.   coordination of regular stock assessments and common vessel surveys;

8.   preparation of recommendations for management plans for selected key fish stocks and draft common fisheries management procedures, taking into account those promoted by EU, FAO and other international specialized institutions;

9.   preparation and coordination of the specific projects for protection and rehabilitation of the critical habitats and threatened key species, in particular spawning and nursery grounds for demersal species like sturgeons, spiny dogfish and turbot;

10.     preparation and coordination of specific projects for development of marine aqua culture in the Black Sea area;

11.     cooperation with relevant international and regional fisheries organizations: FAO/GFCM, ICES, BSEC, Fisheries Commission for the Baltic Sea and for the Mediterranean Sea, ACCOBAMS, etc.;

12.     development of a set of technical guidelines to assure the uniformity of measurements and establish the quality assurance system in the regional and national fishery monitoring efforts.

Interaction within the Black Sea Commission Institutional Structure

The AG FOMLR is directly subordinated to and supported by the Black Sea Commission and its Permanent Secretariat and shall report to the Black Sea Commission on annual basis. The general coordination for the AG FOMLR is assigned by the Black Sea Commission to the appropriate officer of its Permanent Secretariat and supported by the Director of the Activity Center on Environmental Aspects of Fisheries and Other Marine Resources Management

The AG FOMLR shall closely cooperate with the other advisory groups of the Black Sea Commission in order to propose the coherent and cost effective measures for the protection and rehabilitation of the Black Sea ecosystem, namely:

a)  with AG ESAS for establishing the sensitive areas and their mapping in particular referring to the migratory routes of transboundary fish species;

b)  with AG CBD for establishing conservation status of fish species and their habitats;

c)  with AG ICZM for promoting development of aquaculture sector and preventing introduction of species of possible harm for the indigenous fish populations;

d)  with AG LBS in identifying and preventing impact of land-based pollution sources on fisheries spawning and nursery grounds;

e)  with PMA in assessing the environmental impact of fisheries and identifying monitoring needs for fisheries and aquaculture important areas based on ecosystem approach.

Interaction wit other conventions and stakeholders

In order to achieve tangible results and benefit from the international experience the AG FOMLR, when authorized by the BSC and on its behalf, shall seek:

1. close cooperation with FAO for introduction of responsible fisheries practices in the Black Sea and aquaculture promotion;

2. involvement of the private sector like fisheries companies, fishermen associations, etc. in elaboration and implementation of environmentally responsible fisheries policies and environmentally sound investments to the fisheries sector;

3. collaboration with research institutions in all Black Sea countries in order to achieve sustainability and continuity of the implementation of BSSAP related to the fisheries and other living marine resources;

4. involvement of general public, NGOs communities, local and fisherman organizations in particular for combating illegal and unreported fishing;

5. twining projects with UN and European conventions.

Reporting requirements:

In order to facilitate the Black Sea Commission work and to lessen the burden of the national reporting to the Bucharest Convention the AG FOMLR shall develop and implement a comprehensive reporting system on the environmental aspects of fisheries and other living resources management:

1.   elaborate and regular update questionnaire on the environmental aspects of fisheries and other living marine resources management relevant to the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan and impact of fisheries on the marine environment;

2.   prepare and submit its work plan to the Permanent Secretariat two months prior the annual Black Sea Commission meetings for its approval and incorporation in the Black Sea Commission Work Plan;

3.   compile the annual report on current status of fisheries and other living marine resources in a format approved by the Commission two months prior the regular Commission meeting;

4.   in cooperation with other advisory groups and the Permanent Secretariat prepare and submit a chapter "Fisheries and Other Marine Living Resources" to the State of the Environment of the Black Sea Report every five years six months prior the Meeting of the Environmental Ministers;

5.   The AG FOMLR shall convene a meeting at least once a year no later than two months prior the Commission Meeting. More meetings could be called availability of funds and urgency of the issue under discussion. The Minutes of each AG FOMLR meeting should be delivered to the Permanent Secretariat no later than 10 days after meeting.

TORs Revision:

The AG FOMLR shall review the Terms of References, make necessary changes, as it deems necessary and submit it to the Secretariat two months prior the Commission meeting.