Principles

• The concept of sustainable development shall be applied, by virtue of which the carrying capacity of the Black Sea ecosystem is not exceeded nor the interests of future generations prejudiced.
• The precautionary principle shall be applied, by virtue of which preventative measures are to be taken when there are reasonable grounds for concern that an activity may increase the risk of presenting hazards to human health, harm living resources and marine ecosystems, damage amenities or interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea, even when there is no conclusive evidence of a causal relationship between the activity and the effects and by virtue of which greater caution is required when information is uncertain, unreliable or inadequate.
• Anticipatory actions, such as contingency planning, environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment (involving the assessment of the environmental consequences of governmental policies, programmes and plans), shall be taken.
• The use of clean technologies shall be stimulated, which require the replacement or phasing-out of high waste and waste generating technologies that remain in use.
• The use of economic instruments that foster sustainable development shall be promoted through, amongst other things, the implementation of economic incentives for introducing environmentally friendly technologies and activities; the phasing-out of subsidies which encourage the continuation of non-environmentally friendly technologies and activities; the introduction of user fees and the polluter pays principle; as well as the application of natural resources and environmental accounting.
• Environmental and health considerations shall be included into all relevant policies and sectoral plans, such as those concerning tourism, urban planning, agriculture, industrial development, fisheries and aquaculture.
• Pending the resolution of ocean boundary matters in the region, close cooperation among Black Sea coastal states, in adopting interim arrangements which facilitate the rehabilitation of and protection of the Black Sea ecosystem and the sustainable management of its resources shall be pursued.
• Cooperation among all Black Sea basin states, and, in particular, between the Black Sea coastal states and the states of the Danube river basin, shall be promoted.
• The involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of this Strategic Action Plan, through, amongst other things, the determination of user and property rights shall be promoted.
• Transparency and public participation, shall be fostered through the wide dissemination of information on the work undertaken to rehabilitate and protect the Black Sea and through the recognition and the exercise of the right of participation of the public, including stakeholders, in the decision making and implementation of this Strategic Action Plan.

The Istanbul Commission

In order to implement the actions and policies agreed on, it is imperative that the regional mechanisms for cooperation among Black Sea states be strengthened.

The Istanbul Commission and its subsidiary bodies, including its Secretariat, should be fully functioning, in accordance with the Bucharest Convention, by January 2000. In order to achieve this, Black Sea states agree to make available the necessary financial and other resources.

The Istanbul Commission having agreed to implement this Strategic Action Plan at its second session, held in Istanbul on September 16-17, 1996, is invited to establish, by November 1997, a body to provide support for specific projects and processes related to the implementation of this Strategic Action Plan.

It is recommended that, by January 1997, the Istanbul Commission establish, on the basis of the current structure of BSEP Working Parties, subsidiary bodies which can assist it in the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan.

It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission initially establish the following Advisory Groups as its subsidiary bodies, the description and general terms of reference of which are given in Annex I:

• an Advisory Group on the Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping, coordinated by the Activity Centre in Varna, Bulgaria;
• an Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment, coordinated by the Activity Centre in Odesa, Ukraine;
• an Advisory Group on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources, coordinated by the Activity Centre in Istanbul, Turkey;
• an Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management, coordinated by the Activity Centre in Krasnodar, Russia;
• an Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biological Diversity, coordinated by the Activity Centre in Batumi, Georgia;
• an Advisory Group on the Environmental Aspects of Management of Fisheries and other Marine Living Resources, coordinated by the Activity Centre in Constanta, Romania; and
• an Advisory Group on Information and Data Exchange, coordinated by the Commission Secretariat.

It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission regularly review the status and functions of the Advisory Groups and consider the establishment of ad hoc groups for the purposes of implementing this Strategic Action Plan.

It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission assume the responsibilities from the Black BSEP-PCU for the operation and maintenance of the electronic communication system which has been established for purposes of facilitating communication between the components of the Black Sea institutional network.

In order to strengthen and coordinate the work of national and regional research institutions, it is recommended that the Istanbul Commission assume the responsibilities from the BSEP-PCU for the clearing house mechanism for the exchange of information on bibliography, data sources and research programmes. In addition, it is recommended that the Istanbul Commission organise bi-annual research conferences on topics related to the goals of this Strategic Action Plan. The first of such conferences will be held in 2004.

Wider Cooperation

Black Sea countries shall individually and jointly encourage the following:

1. Enhanced coordination between the regional bodies which contribute towards the rehabilitation and protection of the Black Sea ecosystem and the sustainable development of Black Sea resources, such bodies include the Istanbul Commission and its subsidiary bodies, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the Parliamentary Assembly for the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), the future Black Sea Fisheries Commission, and the NGO Forum;
2. Close cooperation between the regional governmental bodies and the NGO Forum through transparency of the negotiating process, widespread availability of information and documents, and, where appropriate, open access to meetings;
3. Close coordination of the activities of donors, including multilateral financial institutions, the European Union, bilateral aid agencies and private foundations, in their aim to secure funding for projects and policies identified in this Strategic Action Plan and to be further developed in the National Black Sea Strategic Action Plans.
4. Close cooperation with relevant international organisations, including UN Agencies and international non-governmental organisations in implementing this Strategic Action Plan.

International agreements relevant to the aims and objectives of this Strategic Action Plan should be implemented by each Black Sea state and, where this is appropriate and has not yet been done, it is recommended that Black Sea states consider ratifying or acceding to such agreements. Consideration should also be given to implementing other relevant international instruments.

A. Reduction of Pollution

Land based sources of pollution

Rivers

A Black Sea Basin Wide Strategy, negotiated with all states located in the Black Sea Basin, should be developed to address the eutrophication problem in the Black Sea. The objective of the Strategy should be to negotiate a progressive series of stepwise reductions of nutrient loads, until agreed Black Sea water quality objectives are met. Such a Basin Wide Strategy may also be required to ensure the reduction of inputs of other pollutants into the Black Sea, in particular oil.

Given that the Danube is the largest single source of nutrient inputs into the Black Sea, it is imperative that strategies for the reduction of nutrients be adopted for this river. The provisions in the Danube Strategic Action Plan (maintenance of 1995 levels) clearly are insufficient for addressing the eutrophication problem in the Black Sea.

Airborne pollution

More attention should be focussed on the issue of airborne pollutants, particularly those that involve transboundary movements, as well as appropriate measures for controlling them at source. In initial assessment of the magnitude of this problem should be undertaken by 2005.

High priority point-sources

A list of high priority sites (hot-spots) for reducing discharges of pollutants has beendeveloped. It will provide the basis for the elaboration of national strategies and timetables for realising substantial reductions of inputs of pollutants from hot-spots, in accordance with agreed water quality objectives. The following procedure has been agreed for the purpose of attaining these reduced inputs by 2006. Each Black Sea coastal state, in its National Black Sea Strategic Action Plan, will specify the strategies and timetables for attaining reduced inputs from the hot-spots located in its territory. In those cases where investments (as opposed to policy changes or economic restructuring) are required, in order to address specific hot-spots, pre-investment and investment studies will be pursued, with donor support where possible.

National reports on the progress made in addressing the identified hot-spots will be presented to the Istanbul Commission and widely disseminated, in 2002 and 2007. It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission prepare a consolidated report on this topic in time for the Ministerial meetings in 2002 and 2007. This report should include an assessment of the progress made on the strategy for each site. If the progress made is found to be insufficient to meet the agreed water quality objectives, further steps to reduce inputs will be decided upon at the Ministerial meetings.

Regulation of point sources

In addition to the high priority point-sources, comprehensive national studies on the discharges of insufficiently treated sewage will be prepared by each Black Sea state by June 2002. It is recommended that this activity be coordinated by the Istanbul Commission, through its Advisory Group on the Control of Pollution from Land-Based sources. These studies should analyse the national and regional benefits to public health, the environment and recreation as well as the economic costs of installing sewage treatment plants. The studies shall serve as a basis for taking decisions and implementing significant reductions of the inputs of insufficiently treated sewage from large urban areas by 2006.

In order to implement the Protocol on Land Based Sources to the Bucharest Convention and with a view to the gradual reduction of inputs of pollutants in general and the elimination of discharges of persistent pollutants of global significance (POPs) the following actions shall be taken.

• Water quality objectives shall be harmonised on the basis of the uses of water (drinking water, bathing water, aquaculture, ports etc.). It is advised that the Istanbul Commission, upon the recommendations of its Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment, adopt such harmonised water quality objectives and where necessary standards by 2005. Furthermore, these objectives should be subjected to a comprehensive review every five years.
• Procedures used for monitoring the actual discharge of effluent at point sources shall be harmonised. It is advised that the Istanbul Commission, upon the recommendations of its Advisory Group on the Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources, adopt such procedures by 2004.
• Each Black Sea state shall endeavour to adopt and implement, in accordance with its own legal system, by 1999, the laws and mechanisms required for regulating discharges from point sources. The basis for regulating discharges will be a licensing system, through which the harmonised water quality objectives can be applied, and through which effluent charges, based on the polluter pays principle, can be levied.
• Each Black Sea state will also endeavour to adopt and implement, in accordance with its own legal system, efficient enforcement mechanisms by 1999.
• In order to secure the implementation of the actions agreed to in this paragraph, each Black Sea state shall ensure that the national agencies responsible for licensing, monitoring and enforcement are adequately staffed and that the necessary resources are available to them. Where necessary, training courses at local agencies, will be organised.
• Each Black Sea state will consider the introduction of policies in which polluters are made to pay for compliance. The application of environmentally friendly production processes or other innovative process which reduce inputs of pollutants may also be encouraged through economic incentives.

Vessel source pollution

MARPOL 1973/78 shall be more effectively implemented by Black Sea states, especially with a view to giving effect to its provisions on Special Areas, by 2007.

Due to the rapid increase in traffic to Black Sea ports, the capacity of harbour reception facilities needs to be enlarged in order to comply with MARPOL Special Area requirements. Harbour reception facilities will be installed: for garbage by December 2007; for oil by December 2007; and for chemicals by December 2007. The use of these facilities shall be made compulsory. In installing harbour reception facilities close cooperation with the private sector will be pursued, the advice of the IMO will be requested, and the results of the study conducted by the BSEP and the European Union will be taken into account

A harmonised system of port state control will be established in the Black Sea region through the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control. It is advised that the Istanbul Commission adopt such a Memorandum, upon the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping, by December 1998 .

Black Sea states shall take the necessary steps to enable them to fully exercise their prescriptive and enforcement powers, in accordance with international law, in order to pursue the reduction of illegal discharges by vessels into the Black Sea.

A harmonised system of enforcement, including fines, will be developed for the Black Sea region. It is advised that the Istanbul Commission, upon the recommendations of the Advisory Group on the Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping, adopt such a system by December 2007. The primary aim of this system will be to serve as a deterrent for illegal discharges and, where necessary, to exercise enforcement action against illegal dischargers.

Black Sea states will present a joint proposal to the IMO, in 2004, for conducting an in-depth study on measures to avoid any further introductions of exotic species into the Black Sea through the deballasting of vessels. Given the danger of such species migrating to other seas in the region, the coastal states of the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas will be consulted.

Pollution from dumping

A total ban on the disposal of municipal garbage in marine, shoreline and estuarine areas shall be imposed by December 1996. Each Black Sea state shall develop a plan setting out the manner in which comprehensive enforcement of the ban will be attained by December 1999 .

Illegal dumping operations in the Black Sea are a matter of concern. Black Sea states, individually and jointly, shall take measures to control any dumping activities that may take place.

Black Sea states, through the Istanbul Commission andin accordance with article 3 of the Protocol on Dumping to the Bucharest Convention, shall define concentration levels for trace contaminants in dredged spoils, by 2005.

Black Sea states shall consider amending the Protocol on Dumping to the Bucharest Convention, in accordance with the London Convention 1972, including its subsequent amendments.

Waste management

The Black Sea coastal states will cooperate in developing and implementing environmentally sound waste management policies, giving due consideration to waste minimization, recycling and reuse.

Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes

By 2006, Black Sea states, through the Istanbul Commission, and in accordance with Resolution 1, adopted at the Diplomatic Conference on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution, shall complete and adopt the text of a Protocol to the Bucharest Convention concerning the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and cooperation in combating illegal traffic thereof.

Contingency planning and emergency response

A Black Sea Strategy for contingency planning and emergency response shall be developed. It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission, upon the recommendation of its Advisory Group on the Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping, adopt such a Strategy, by December 1997. This Strategy should provide a basis for ensuring that the contingency plans developed within Black Sea states are sufficiently coordinated. It will also serve as a basis for the development of the regional contingency plan.

National and local contingency plans, covering both vessels and offshore installations, shall be improved and, where appropriate, adopted, by by 2008. The responsibilities and obligations of governmental agencies in the event of marine emergencies shall be clearly defined. National contingency plans shall be developed in accordance with IMO guidelines, as well as other relevant international instruments, including the Black Sea Strategy for contingency planning and emergency response.

A Black Sea Contingency Plan shall be adopted. It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission, upon the recommendations of its Advisory Group on the Environmental Safety Aspect of Shipping, adopt such a plan by 2009. The Black Sea

Contingency Plan should address the compatibility of: emergency equipment, reporting forms and oil spill data; classification of the scale of spillage’s; methods for evaluating the sensitivity of the coast to hazards; and spill decision support systems, including models for forecasting oil movements. In addition, regionally coordinated national classification and risk assessment systems shall be developed.

In order to ensure rapid and effective action by national emergency response agencies, each Black Sea state, in cooperation with the private sector and, where appropriate, with international and bilateral agencies, shall ensure that their own national agencies are adequately staffed and that the necessary resources are available to them.

Close cooperation shall be sought with the shipping, oil and gas sectors in order to ensure that, to the extent possible, the cost of developing and implementing contingency plans are born by these sectors.

Assessment and monitoring of pollutants

A “State ofPollution of the Black Sea” reportwill be prepared and published every five years, beginning 2006. It will be based on the data collected through the coordinated pollution monitoring and assessment programmes.

A Black Sea Monitoring System, based upon biological effects measurements and measurements of key contaminants, will be established in compliance with the Bucharest Convention. It will consist of the integration of obligatory national monitoring programmes, to be included in the National Strategic Action Plans, and an independent quality assurance system. It is advised that the Istanbul Commission develop such a quality assurance system through its Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment, by 2005.

A uniform measurement technique for bathing water quality with a common quality assurance support mechanism shall be developed. It is advised that the Istanbul Commission, upon the recommendations of its Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment, develop this uniform measurement technique by December 1997. Transparency shall be encouraged through the publication and free exchange of data from bathing water quality measurements on at least an annual basis.

Data regarding actual and assessed contaminant discharge measurements for point sources, rivers, and, where possible, diffuse sources, shall be compiled and freely exchanged beginning 2002 on an annual basis. It is advised that the Advisory Group Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources make these compilations in future.

B. Living resources management

Commercially exploited resources

Fish are an integral part of the marine ecosystem, fish stocks thrive in a non-polluted and protected ecosystem and the marine ecosystem profits from properly managed fishing activities. The measures to reduce pollution and to protect biological diversity, habitat and landscape, as agreed upon in this Strategic Action Plan, are therefore pre-conditions for the restoration of commercial fisheries in the Black Sea. In addition, spawning and nursery grounds require special protection.

In order to rehabilitate ecosystems, which are of particular importance to Black Sea fisheries as a whole, Phyllophora fields and other critical nursery areas will receive special protection, spawning areas of anadromous species will be restored, and coastal lagoons will be rehabilitated. By 2003 each Black Sea state will develop at least one pilot project which will contribute to the restoration of areas vital to the recovery of Black Sea fish stocks.

In order to rehabilitate the Black Sea ecosystem and achieve sustainable fisheries in the Black Sea, fisheries management policies need to be enhanced and fishing effort needs to be adjusted to the status of the stocks. In this regard, the Black Sea coastal states are expected to expedite the adoption of the Fisheries Convention as soon as possible so as to develop a fisheries management system which consists of the following components: regular regionally coordinated stock assessments; national fishing authorisations for all Black Sea fishing vessels; a regional licensing system; and a quota system. In addition, enforcement of fisheries regulations urgently needs to be improved. These measures and others, which are required to attain more sustainable fisheries in the Black Sea, should be taken in close cooperation with the fishing sector.

Biological diversity protection

The text of a Protocol on Biological Diversity and Landscape Protection to the Bucharest Convention shall be developed and adopted. It is advised that the Istanbul Commission adopt this Protocol by 2002, upon the recommendations of the Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biological Diversity. The aim is to present the Protocol to the 2001 Ministerial Meeting for signature, after which governments can initiate the national ratification process.

A regional Black Sea Red Data Book, identifying and describing endangered species, will be prepared and published by December 1998. It is advised that the work on the Red Data Book be coordinated by the Istanbul Commission, through its Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biological Diversity.

With the aim of restoring populations of marine mammals the following measures shall be taken:

• A ban on the hunting of marine mammals will be enforced by all Black Sea states with immediate effect.
• Regular population assessments of marine mammals shall be conducted and the first assessment will be completed by 2005. It is advised that these assessments be coordinated by the Istanbul Commission, through its Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biological Diversity.
• The Centre for the Conservation of Biological Diversity in Batumi, Georgia, shall be provided with the necessary equipment in order to function as a regional rehabilitation centre for captive marine mammals.
• National centres and sanctuaries for the rehabilitation of marine mammals shall be strengthened.
• Consideration shall be given to modify fishing practices in order to avoid catching marine mammals, as by-catch, during normal operations. It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission, through its Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biological Diversity and its Advisory Group on the Environmental Aspects of Management of Fisheries and other Marine Living Resources, develop a strategy for the reduction of by-catches of marine mammals.

Protection of Habitat and Landscape

In addition to the actions referred to in paragraphs 57, 58, and 59 of this Strategic Action Plan, the following measures will also be taken to protect habitats and landscape in the Black Sea region.

In marine and coastal areas, and in particular in wetlands, new conservation areas shall be designated and the protection of existing conservation areas enhanced. In drafting their National Biological Diversity Strategies, Black Sea states shall take into consideration the integrity of the Black Sea system, by, for example, designating conservation areas which are of regional significance.

With a view to enhancing the protection of habitats and landscape in the Black Sea region, both national and regional regulatory instruments shall be improved through the following actions.

• A Regional Strategy for Conservation Areas shall be adopted, and it shall be reviewed every five years. It is advised that the Istanbul Commission adopt the plan by 2004, and conduct the reviews, upon the recommendations of its Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biological Diversity. The plan, amongst other things, should address the following: priority locations which should be designated as conservation areas; priority locations where current measures for protection should be enhanced; objectives, standards and measures for the protection of conservation areas; and fund raising aspects.
• Each Black Sea state, by 2000, shall endeavour to revise, and where applicable adopt, in accordance with its own legal system, national laws, regulations and planning instruments for the protection of conservation areas. These laws, regulations and planning instruments shall conform with relevant international instruments, including the Regional Strategy for Conservation Areas. The national instruments, amongst other things, should identify the responsible management authority and the responsible government agency; include procedures for the identification of conservation areas; require that management plans be developed for each conservation area; set standards for managing conservation areas; and, where appropriate, establish procedures for public participation and partnerships between governmental agencies and NGO’s for the management of conservation areas.
• Each Black Sea state, where appropriate with the support of bilateral or multilateral agencies, shall ensure that the authorities which manage conservation areas are adequately staffed and that the necessary resources are available to them.
• Public awareness campaigns, including programs for schools, local communities, and natural resource users in the conservation areas shall be developed. Such campaigns, where appropriate, will be coordinated at the regional level.

C. Sustainable Human Development

Environmental Impact Assessment

By 1998, all Black Sea coastal states will adopt criteria for environmental impact assessments and environmental audits that will be compulsory for all public and private projects. The coastal states will cooperate to harmonize these criteria by 1999 and where possible, to introduce strategic environmental assessments.

Integrated coastal zone management

In order to ensure proper management of the coastal zone, coordinated integrated coastal zone management strategies shall be developed for the Black Sea region. In order to attain this the following actions will be taken.

• A Regional Black Sea Strategy for integrated coastal zone management shall be developed. It is advised that the Istanbul Commission develop such a strategy by 2005, upon the recommendations of its Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management. The regional strategy should elaborate basic principles and methodologies for land- and water-use planning as well as for designing zoning systems. The methodologies and principles recommended in the regional strategy shall be taken into account when developing or reviewing national strategies and planning instruments for integrated coastal zone management.
• Each Black Sea coastal state shall endeavour to adopt and implement, in accordance with its own legal system, by 1999, the legal and other instruments required to facilitate integrated coastal zone management.
• Inter-sectoral committees for integrated coastal zone management shall be established at the national, regional and local levels of public administration, where appropriate, by the end of 1997. These committees shall design and implement national plans for integrated coastal zone management through participatory approaches.

Erosion and land degradation have important environmental and social impacts. Coastal erosion, due to the changed hydraulic conditions in many of the regions rivers, is a problem which has transboundary implications. Deforestation is another major factor contributing to land degradation. A survey of coastal erosion problems in the region will be conducted by 2005. It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission, through its Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management coordinate the work on this survey. The survey should address the magnitude of the problem, including its economic implications; propose remedial actions, and include suggestions for pilot studies and demonstration projects.

Development of sustainable aquaculture and tourism

Aquaculture and tourism are two areas considered to have scope for economic growth in the Black Sea and to benefit the region in general. In order to avoid environmental damage resulting from these activities, and particularly damage with transboundary implications, their development shall be managed along common environmental norms to be established by 2006. It is advised that that the Istanbul Commission, with the support of its Advisory Groups, adopt these common norms and liaise, where appropriate, with the Fisheries Commission, once this body has been established, to adopt an industry code of practice.

Sustainable aquaculture should be stimulated, amongst other things, through the conduct of feasibility studies. In parallel, legislation enabling the regulation of aquaculture should be developed. Such legislation should ensure that aquaculture itself does not present a threat to the environment and should address issues, such as, the location and density of cages, releases of commercial strains, imports and releases of exotic species, quarantining and matters of hygiene. Moreover, aquaculture projects shall be subjected to environmental impact assessments in which the potential effect of the activity upon biological diversity are given careful consideration.

Eco-tourism should be stimulated in the region, amongst other things, through the implementation of concrete pilot projects in Black Sea coastal states. In close cooperation with the tourist industry and the national tourism authorities, environmental codes of conduct and training courses in sustainable tourism will be developed. The tourism industry, both for the benefit of the industry and for the benefit of the environment, needs to be more adequately planned with a view to incorporating concerns such as those related to water supply, sewage treatment bathing water quality, the use of natural resources and resort development into newly developed projects from the beginning. Moreover, it shall be required that tourist development projects be subjected to environmental impact assessments.

Involving the public in environmental decision making

Participation of all sectors of society is an essential requirement for the development of sustainable policies in the region. It requires the development of education projects, transparent and participatory decision making procedures and open rules on access to administrative and judicial procedures.

Municipalities will be closely involved in the implementation of this Strategic Action Plan. Both existing mechanisms, as the International Black Sea Club of Cities, as well as new mechanisms will be used for this purpose. Black Sea municipalities will also be stimulated to cooperate at the national level and with municipalities in other countries and regions. The Union of Governors of the BSEC will also be requested to cooperate towards the implementation of this Strategic Action Plan.

NGOs will continue to be closely involved in the development and implementation of both national and regional policies aimed at rehabilitating and protecting the Black Sea ecosystem and the sustainable use of its natural resources.

The Black Sea NGO Forum is encouraged to continue giving its support to the actions taken to rehabilitate and protect the Black Sea and, in particular, to support the implementation of this Strategic Action Plan. It is recommend that the Istanbul Commission adopt procedures which facilitate the participation of the NGO Forum, as an observer, in its meetings.

Stakeholders will have to be clearly identified for each of the policy areas included in this Strategic Action Plan. Their involvement in the decision making process will be secured and their responsibilities in implementing this Strategic Action Plan defined, through mechanisms such as those provided by new Regional Environmental Centres.

Each Black Sea state, in accordance with its own national legal system, will endeavour to adopt and implement, by 2000, rules which guarantee the right of access to environmental information, which provide for the right of the public and NGOs to participate in decision making, and which provide for the right of individuals and groups to appeal to administrative and judicial organs. It is recommended that the Istanbul Commission prepare a draft position paper on this topic.

Information about the actions taken to rehabilitate and protect the Black Sea ecosystem and achieve the sustainable use of its resources will be widely disseminated. Each Black Sea state will publish a popularised version of this Strategic Action Plan, in its own language. In addition, the following actions will taken through the BSEP, in close cooperation with the NGO Forum:.

• An educational information package for use in schools will be developed and each Black Sea state will translate it into its own language;
• A mobile exhibition will be prepared and translated into the languages of the Black Sea states for display at public functions and educational establishments;
• A user-friendly Black Sea CD ROM multimedia information package, based upon the existing GIS system, will be developed.

Based on harmonised criteria, information on the state of bathing water suitable for advising the public on the potential risks to their health shall be made widely available to the public during the active tourist season, starting in 1998 2004. Frequency of sampling and analytical methodology should be sufficient to inform bathers of conditions which may pose health risks. Additionally, a colour coding system for bathing water quality maps shall be developed and such maps shall be published annually starting January in 2004.

Recommendation to the Commission

Advisory Groups and Activity Centres Associated with the Black Strategic Action Plan (BS-SAP)

The purpose of the advisory groups is to provide the Commission with the best possible advice and information on topics which are key to the implementation of this Black Sea Strategic Action Plan and the Bucharest Convention. In all cases, they will, as part of their duties, respond to requests for advice from the Commission and prepare proposals for the Commission’s consideration at their own initiative. The groups will include experts from focal points from all Black Sea states. The Advisory Groups will work closely with other experts, bodies and institutions as they, or the Commission, deem necessary. Involvement of relevant NGOs is also encouraged, particularly in the improvement of public participation and awareness in all of the focal areas covered by the Groups. Particular attention shall also be given to including experts in the following areas, where appropriate:

• environmental law,
• environmental economics, and
• public awareness.

Each advisory group shall seek to make best use of expertise and institutional capacity within the region and, within its workplan, approved on an annual basis by the Commission, may assign specific tasks to any institution or expert that it considers appropriate.

The Commission Secretariat will provide general coordination for the advisory groups, assigning this task to appropriate Officers of the Secretariat, according to their technical specialization.

The Advisory Groups shall be supported by Activity Centres which shall coordinate the necessary programmatic support and the provision of practical technical support for their work. The Activity Centres shall be initially based upon those created through BSEP as in-kind contributions by Black Sea Governments with additional finance from donors where possible and necessary.

Advisory Groups shall liaise together where appropriate and joint groups may be set up from time-to-time, particularly on such issues as pollution assessment, fisheries development and environmental impact assessment, amongst others.

The Advisory Groups are defined as follows:

Advisory Group on the Environmental Safety Aspects of Shipping coordinated by the Activity Centre in Varna, Bulgaria.

The Group will coordinate the regional approach to emergency response, particularly the international response to accidents involving the extraction, maritime transport, handling and storage of oil and, where relevant, hazardous chemicals. It will also coordinate, on behalf of the Commission, regional aspects of implementation of the MARPOL Convention defined in the BS-SAP. Furthermore, it will assist with the elaboration of port-state-control procedures defined in the BS-SAP. Particular attention will be paid to developing a strong working relationship between Ministers of Environment and Transport both internationally and within corresponding national focal points. It will collaborate closely with all relevant institutions and governmental bodies, international organizations (such as IMO, WMO, IOC) and the private sector (shipping, oil and gas industries).

Advisory Group on Pollution Monitoring and Assessment coordinated by the Activity Centre in Odesa, Ukraine

The work of this Group shall focus upon the establishment of a regionally coordinated network of National Status and Trends monitoring programmes and the subsequent development of Environmental Quality Objectives. Specifically, the Group shall provide the following services: (1) Quality Assurance/Quality Control services for environmental chemical analysis (2) Coordination of pilot monitoring activities (3) Coordination of regional training exercises in monitoring (4) coordination of regional multi-disciplinary expert consultations to develop common environmental objectives and standards for different water uses in the Black Sea. The Group shall collaborate closely with the Advisory Group on the Environmental Aspects of the Management of Fisheries and other Living Marine Resources for the development of a region-wide programme for monitoring the biological effects of pollution to be incorporated in the regional monitoring strategy. The Group shall collaborate with National Monitoring Networks and research institutions in all Black Sea countries, international research programmes and projects and bodies such as IAEA`s Marine Environmental Laboratory, IOC`s Expert Groups, UNEP, WHO and WMO. (5) the coordination, in close cooperation with WHO of programmes to monitor the quality of bathing waters and beaches and to assess the human health implications of the information gathered.

Advisory Group on Control of Pollution from Land Based Sources coordinated by the Activity Centre in Istanbul, Turkey

The Group will provide technical support for actions related to the assessment and control of discharges of pollution from land-based sources (direct discharges, river inputs and diffuse sources, including atmospheric deposition). It will cover the following areas: (1) the development and diffusion of improved methodology for measuring discharges of pollutants; (2) the gathering of data from National Focal Points regarding discharges; (3) the coordination of activities to improve permitting procedures; (4) the development/harmonization of pollution discharge models and scenarios in order to assist with the establishment of scientific criteria for setting permit levels/emission standards. The major partners of the Group shall be regional inspectorates of pollution (or their equivalent) and, at an international level, the Secretariat of the Global Programe of Action for Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities.

Advisory Group on the Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management coordinated by the Activity Centre in Krasnodar, Russia

The Group will facilitate the exchange of information and experience on ensuring sustainable resource use, including recreational use by tourists in the coastal zones of Black Sea countries, and develop methodologies for coastal zone management, with particular reference to threats to the environment arising from the transition to market economies. The Group will coordinate and supervise the elaboration of draft recommendations of the Commission in the field of integrated coastal zone management and, based on common methodology, assist with the introduction of contemporary principles of environmental management, such as “Best Available Technology” and “Best Environmental Practices”. On the basis of the agreed common principles and the achievements and experience gained in the Black Sea countries, the Group will coordinate the preparation of Regional Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme as well as to provide assistance for the preparation of national programmes. This Group will work in very close cooperation with the OECD and any other appropriate international institutions.

Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biological Diversity coordinated by the Activity Centre in Batumi, Georgia

The Group will provide coordination and technical support for actions taken to protect biological diversity in the Black Sea according to the provisions of the Odesa Declaration, Black Sea Strategic Action Plan, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the Pan-European Strategy on Landscape and Biological Diversity. The Group will prepare inventories of the biodiversity and regularly update them, in order to evaluate the trends and recommend remedial actions. It will also gather historical records of changes in biological diversity (a large amount of information is available for the Black Sea).The Group will elaborate a Regional Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy as well as Draft Biological Diversity and Landscape Protection Protocol to the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution. The Group will coordinate the preparation of a Red Data Book on the endangered species.

Advisory Group on the Environmental Aspects of the Management of Fisheries and other Marine Living Resources coordinated by the Activity Centre in Constanta, Romania

The Advisory Group will basically function to coordinate activities and provide technical support for the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. However, pending the adoption of the Fisheries Convention, the Advisory Group will gather the basic source of information related to the fisheries capture, stock, installed capacity and aquaculture projects. The data will be gathered from all national authorities and should include historical records in order to document past changes in the production and stock in the region and its relationship to changes in marine ecosystems. It will provide the basic source of information for future management strategies and for the implementation of the future Fisheries Convention. The Group will develop proposals and, where appropriate, coordinate the following: (1) harmonization at the regional level of a legal and institutional framework aimed at sustainable use of living marine resources; (2) improvement of Black Sea fisheries resource assessment based on a regional approach; (3) development of projects for the protection and rehabilitation of living resources; (4) development of specific projects for aquaculture techniques which do not harm biological diversity. The Group will collaborate with regional and international institutions (such as GFCM) governmental bodies and the private sector.

Advisory Group on Information and Data Exchange to be coordinated by the Commission Secretariat

This Group shall focus its work on the improvement of information flow and data exchange. It will be responsible for the following specific tasks: (1) Updating of the existing Black Sea Information System and Black Sea Geographical Information System, (2) Updating of the Black Sea Bibliography, (3) Strengthening of the e-mail network and improvement of Internet connection to the Web Server services for principle data centres and Ministries of Environment for the exchange of information and data, including exchange of meta data, (4) Development of the regional Internet facility comprising meta level information on environmental data (how to locate the data), sets of the new data obtained from various international programmes, including those of the Commission, copies of historical data opened for public use, data sets from main World data centres such as WDC, GRID and others, (6) Cooperation and data exchange with different international programmes in the Black Sea region (such as NATO-TU, EROS-21, CoMSBlack, etc., (7) Cooperation and data exchange with the NGO Network, (8) Organization of training on data exchange, and (9) Assistance to other networks in the region.

1.1 The Black Sea

The Black Sea is one of the most remarkable regional seas in the world. It is almost cut off from the rest of the world’s seas, is over 2200 m deep and receives the drainage from a 1.9 million km2 basin covering about one third of the area of continental Europe. Its only connection to the world’s oceans is through the Istanbul Strait, a 35 km natural channel, as little as 40 m deep in places. This channel has a two layer flow, carrying about 300 km3 of seawater to the Black Sea from the Mediterranean along the bottom layer and returning a mixture of seawater and freshwater with twice this volume in the upper layer.

Every year, about 350 km3 of river water enters the Black Sea from land in over twenty countries: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine. Europe’s second, third, fourth and sixth largest rivers the Danube, Dnipro, Don (indirectly via the Sea of Azov) and Dniester all flow to the Black Sea.

1.2 The need for and purpose of the updated SAP (in relation to the 1996 BS SAP, amended 2002)

The signing of the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) in 1992, followed closely by the first Black Sea Ministerial Declaration (the Odessa Declaration) in 1993 inspired the GEF, to support the region in implementing the Odessa Declaration and to formulate the longer-term Black Sea Strategic Action Plan (BS SAP).

Following the signature of the BS SAP, GEF funding was sustained in order to enable countries to complete National Black Sea Strategic Action Plans and for the negotiations on the institutionalisation of the Istanbul Commission’s Secretariat to be completed. Progress was made in implementation of existing BSSAP, with the GEF, EC and other donors’ assistance. In October 2000, the Secretariat for the Black Sea Commission became operational.

The 1996 BS SAP was a groundbreaking document for the Black Sea region which established specific targets and timetables for implementing the objectives of the 1992 Bucharest Convention. However, it was an overly ambitious document and very few of the targets were accomplished on time. Furthermore, the 1996 BS SAP also suffered from problems of enforcement of national environmental laws and legislation, and the lack of a regional mechanism to ensure compliance with different policy actions . An amendment in 2002 (the 2002 Sofia Ministerial Declaration) aimed to resolve some of these issues and reconfirm commitments of the Black Sea coastal states to implement the BS SAP.

The 2009 BS SAP has been formulated through careful consideration of inter alia the 1996 SAP, the 2007 BS TDA and the 2007 BS SAP Gap Analysis. It aims to help resolve the transboundary environmental problems of the Black Sea and is a joint effort between the six Black Sea countries. The SAP was elaborated from consensus reached at a multinational level in relation to a series of proposals that include: Ecosystem Quality Objectives (EcoQOs); short, medium and long term targets; and legal and institutional reforms and investments necessary to solve main environmental problems identified within the 2007 BS TDA. The process of elaboration of the SAP was characterized by the participation and commitment of the main social stakeholders and key institutions of the Black Sea countries.

1.3Black Sea regional cooperation framework

The Black Sea Commission is the regional cooperation framework, made up of with one member from each of the six national governments. The Black Sea coastal states entrusted a coordinating role for the implementation of the BSASP to the Black Sea Commission supported in its activity for implementation of the work program of the Black Sea Commission by its Permanent Secretariat.

In order to achieve, the purposes of this SAP, the Commission will cooperate with competent international organisations, especially with a view to developing appropriate programs or obtaining assistance.

1.4 The geographic scope of the SAP

The geographical scope of the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution is applied to the Black Sea proper, with the Southern boundary constituted, for the purposes of this Convention, by a line running between Capes Kelagra and Dalyan. In addition the SAP will cover pollution sources from coastal area. In addition, Black Sea coastal states shall make effort to implement relevant provisions of the SAP at the Black Sea basin level.

1.5 The basis for cooperative action

The Black Sea coastal States share a common desire for the sustainable management of the natural resources and biodiversity of the Black Sea and recognize their role and responsibility in conserving the global value of these resources. The states have considered and taken into account, where appropriate, the following principles and values when developing this document.

1 5.1. The principle of sustainability shall be applied such that there is a prudent and rational utilization of living resources and the preservation of the rights of future generations to a viable environment.

1.5.2. The precautionary principle shall be applied, such that measures shall be taken when there are reasonable grounds for concern that any activity may increase the potential hazards to human health, harm living resources or ecosystems, damage amenities, or interfere with other legitimate uses of the Black Sea, even when there is no conclusive evidence of a causal relationship between the activity and the effects; and by virtue of which, greater caution is required when information, including scientific information, is uncertain, unreliable or inadequate.

1.5.3. The polluter pays principle shall be applied, such that the cost of preventing and eliminating pollution, including clean-up costs, shall be paid by the polluter.

1.5.4. The principle of anticipatory action shall be applied, such that contingency planning, environmental impact assessment and strategic impact assessment (involving the assessment of the environmental and social consequences of governmental policies, programmes and plans) shall be undertaken in the future development in the region.

1.5.5. The principle of preventative action shall be applied, such that timely action shall be taken to alert the responsible and relevant authorities of likely impacts and to address the actual or potential causes of adverse impacts on the environment, before they occur.

1.5.6. Environmental and health considerations shall be included into all relevant policies and sectoral plans and programmes, including, inter alia, urban planning, industrial development, fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.

1.5.7. Use of clean technology shall be promoted when replacing or phasing-out high waste and waste-generating technologies, including the use of BAT and BEP.

1.5.8. Use of Sustainable Agriculture including the use of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) shall be promoted in order to replace or phase-out unsustainable agricultural practices.

1.5.9. Development planning and environmental planning processes should be integrated to the maximum extent. The use of economic instruments that foster sustainable development shall be promoted through, inter alia, the implementation of economic incentives for introducing environmentally friendly technologies, activities and practices; the phasing-out of subsidies which encourage the continuation of non-environmentally friendly technologies, activities and practices; and the introduction of user fees.

1.5.10. The principle of accessibility of information shall be applied, such that information on the pollution of the environment of the Black Sea held by a littoral state shall be provided by that state to all littoral states, where relevant and in the maximum possible amount.

1.5.11. The principles of public participation and transparency shall be applied, such that all stakeholders, including communities, individuals and concerned organizations shall be given the opportunity to participate, at the appropriate level, in decision-making and management processes that affect the Black Sea. This includes providing access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, together with effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings to enable all stakeholders to exercise their rights effectively. Public authorities shall widely disseminate information on the work proposed and undertaken to monitor, protect and improve the state of Black Sea.

1.6 Vision for the Black Sea

The vision for the Black Sea is to preserve its ecosystem as a valuable natural endowment of the region, whilst ensuring the protection of its marine and coastal living resources as a condition for sustainable development of the Black Sea coastal states, well-being, health and security of their population.

2.1 Eutrophication/nutrient-enrichment

This decrease in the importance of agriculture as an economic powerhouse of the region has been clearly shown by decreasing trends in livestock numbers and a shift from major livestock farms to smaller-scale or subsistence-level farming. Livestock numbers (excluding poultry) in 2004 were about two-thirds of those present 1997, and about one-third of the numbers recorded in 1998. Inorganic fertiliser application rates also appear to have fallen substantially, with large areas of land (in some countries at least) left fallow. However, indicators suggest that this decline in agricultural productivity may have bottomed-out, so a gradual re-intensification of agricultural practices may begin in the near future.

Direct discharges from large municipal/industrial plants to the Sea are equivalent to only small proportion of nutrients discharged to the Sea via rivers, of which the Danube is by far the most important. Available information also suggests that atmospheric deposition of nitrogen to the Sea may be of a similar order of magnitude to river loads, but there is considerable uncertainty over the data used, with a clear need for updating and harmonisation of monitoring protocols.

Based on the data reported by the Black Sea coastal states and the results presented in the 2007 Black Sea TDA, it is suggested that more than 80% of the river-borne inorganic nitrogen load and around 50% of the river-borne phosphate load enters the Sea from the Danube. However, the Danube has by far the most rigorous nutrient loads monitoring programme of all rivers, and it is likely that nutrient loads from other rivers are under-estimated by comparison. The importance of freshwater nutrient inflows to the Sea of Azov could not be estimated because of a lack of data for the Kerch Strait.

Between 1996 and 2005 there has been no evidence of a change in river-borne DIN loads to the Sea, albeit with a moderate (15%) decrease in river-borne PO4-P loads over the same period. However, the level of confidence associated with the PO4-P load decrease is very low, due to the large inter-annual variability.

Considering that the Danube is such a major pathway of nutrient input to the Black Sea and that phosphorus emissions to the Danube are estimated to have fallen by approaching 50% between 1990 and 2000, and nitrogen emissions by about 20% between 1985 and 2000, this may appear to be disappointing. However, reductions in nutrient loads/concentrations in the upper and middle reaches of the Danube have been observed since 2000, and these improvements are expected to continue downstream in future years.

2.2 Commercial marine living resources

Due to over fishing in the early 1970s-1980s, the structure of catches has shifted significantly. Declining stocks of predatory species such as bonito, horse mackerel and bluefish resulted in an increase in non-predatory species such as anchovy and sprat. Consequently, fishing fleets have increasingly targeted these smaller species, resulting in increased by-catches of larger, less abundant fish species. Total fish landings are now about half of what they were in the latter half of the 1980s.

Commercially important marine living resources have been greatly affected by alien species introductions, eutrophication, over-fishing and habitats change/damage. Annual total fish catch statistics show an improving situation, but these figures are dominated by catches of anchovy and sprat. There have been recent improvements in catches of some other fish, such as bonito, but turbot, dogfish and whiting catches have either shown no improvement or have fallen over the past decade-or-so. Sturgeons remain endangered. Unsustainable fishing practices are still in relatively common use.

The importance of Rapana, the Japanese Snail has increased and has helped to off-set the decline in mussel and clam landings (the decline being due, in large part, to predation by Rapana anyway).

The contribution of illegal fishing activities to damage/change of marine living resources is not clearly understood, but there a general acceptance that this is a causative factor.

The seafood industry is a major coastal employer, particularly for some countries. Aquaculture is not strongly developed in the region and there is scope for this to be expanded, providing environmental considerations are taken into account.

2.3 Chemical pollution

An assessment of pollutant loads from river and large direct municipal/industrial discharges was made. However, the pollution loads data are very incomplete, BOD5 being the only parameter (apart from nutrients) that is routinely monitored from major point sources and rivers. Relatively high contamination levels of some pesticides, heavy metals and PCBs are present at specific sites in the Black Sea, with illegal dumping/discharges (particularly of agrochemicals) being recognised as a particular problem. The historically poor enforcement of discharge standards and a failure to consider the Sea itself as a receiving water body for discharges to river are considered to be the principal reasons underlying the pollution status of the Sea.

A huge increase in the volume of oil being transported across the Black Sea and oil/gas extraction from beneath the Sea itself have greatly increased the risk of oil pollution. This presents two types of problem: (i) localised chronic pollution stemming from frequent but minor releases of oil; and (ii) acute pollution resulting from major oils spills. Remote sensing data show that the majority of oil spills occur along major shipping routes, suggesting that shipping, rather than land-based oil installations have been the principal cause of concern. However, a single large spill from ships, platforms or land-based oil installations could severely impact biota and the economies of all coastal countries.

2.4 Biodiversity

Formerly “dead” areas of the NW Shelf bed are once again colonised by biota, with evidence of biodiversity continuing to increase. The once massive area dominated by Zernov’s Phyllophora (a red seaweed) field has decreased hugely in area over the last few decades, having been replaced by other, opportunistic macroalgae. However, there are encouraging signs that in recent years this decline has either slowed down and recovery may actually be beginning at some sites. However, during the last two decades, the area covered by eelgrass (Zostera) has decreased tenfold in shallow waters.

Further, all coastal margin habitats are considered to be in a critical status in at least one country; both types of pelagic habitat (neritic and open sea) are considered critical in at least one country; and 13 of 37 types of benthic habitat are considered to be critical in at least one country. Those habitats most at risk include the neritic water column, coastal lagoons, estuaries/deltas and wetlands/saltmarshes.

The invasion of Mnemiopsis leidyi (a comb jelly) contributed to a catastrophic decline in fish productivity in the late 1980s/early 1990s. The subsequent invasion of another comb jelly (Beroe ovata), which feeds on the original invader, means that opinions are now split as to whether Mnemiopsis still has a major impact on fish communities and catches.

Between 1996 and 2005 a total of 48 new alien species were recorded, which represents over 22 % of all registered aliens. The majority belong to phytoplankton (16) and zoobenthos (15), followed by zooplankton (8), fish (5), macroalgae (3) and mammals (1). This increase in invasive aliens suggests a serious impact on the Black Sea native biological diversity, with negative consequences for human activities and economic interests.

2.5 Causal chain analyses

Many of the immediate, underlying and root causes of individual transboundary problems are shared with other problems. In particular, the causal chain analyses for nutrient enrichment and chemical pollution are very similar, since the majority of sources of chemical pollution are also sources of nutrients. For biodiversity, the failure to adequately treat ship ballast water is regarded as being an important cause of the problem, and for changes in commercial marine living resources the other three transboundary problems are clearly contributory factors.

It is clear, therefore that the four transboundary problems cannot be dealt with individually. Improvements in management of one problem will have knock-on effects for other problems, and addressing individual causes is likely to improve the situation with regard to at least two, if not more, of the four transboundary problems. For example, one of the causes of all four of the environmental problems is that of poorly regulated coastal development. The six coastal countries all agree with the ‘ecology tenet’ underlying integrated coastal zone management, i.e. that coastal development should take account of marine ecology, conservation and biodiversity, but the underlying institutional structures vary considerably between countries. There are many examples where money has spoken louder than words.

2.6 Hot-spots analysis

A review of planned and proposed capital investments on pollution point sources identified from the 1996 TDA has shown disappointing results. Of the 50 investments initially identified, only 12 have been completed and 2 are no longer required. A decade later, work is in progress on another 10 point sources, but over half of the capital investments originally identified have either been insufficiently funded or not funded at all. Capital investment costs to address the identified 50 hot-spots were originally estimated to be almost $400 million. By the end of 2005 at least $143 million had been spent on addressing these point sources, with a further $340 million planned to be spent by the end of 2015.

2.7 Legal and institutional analysis

National environmental legislation is relatively strong, but the enforcement of this legislation has been less robust. The division of responsibilities for environmental monitoring and protection between different ministries and intra-ministerial organizations is sometimes over-complex and could be simplified in some countries at least.

In Bulgaria and Romania, EU Accession and membership has been good news for the environment. Turkey is in the initial stages of its EU accession negotiations and is keen to fund the capital investments and adopt the best agricultural practice regulations required, so further environmental improvements should accrue in the future. However, there is a need for improved cooperation between the Environment and other Ministries in all countries.

3.1 Key management approaches

The 2007 Black Sea SAP will adhere to 3 key environmental management approaches. These are:

• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM);
• The Ecosystem Approach; and
• Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM)

 

A description of each approach is outlined in the Glossary of Terms (Annex 3).

3.2 Long-term Ecosystem Quality Objectives (EcoQOs)

The Ecosystem Quality Objectives (EcoQOs) are statements regarding the Vision that reflect how stakeholders would like the state of the Black Sea to be over the long term, based on a resolution of priority problems identified in the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis.

The TDA 2007 reconfirmed four priority transboundary environmental problems, described above, requiring coordinated efforts by all Black Sea coastal States. It was determined that these areas of concern, and their causes, could be most effectively and appropriately addressed through the aims of four Ecosystem Quality Objectives (EcoQOs). The four EcoQOs and associated Sub EcoQOs are:

EcoQO 1: Preserve commercial marine living resources.EcoQO 1a: Sustainable use of commercial fish stocks and other marine living resources.EcoQO 1b: Restore/rehabilitate stocks of commercial marine living resources.

EcoQO 2: Conservation of Black Sea Biodiversity and Habitats.

EcoQO 2a: Reduce the risk of extinction of threatened species.EcoQO 2b: Conserve coastal and marine habitats and landscapes.EcoQO 2c: Reduce and manage human mediated species introductions

EcoQO 3: Reduce eutrophication.

EcoQO 4: Ensure Good Water Quality for Human Health, Recreational Use and Aquatic Biota. EcoQO 4a: Reduce pollutants originating from land based sources, including atmospheric emissions.EcoQO 4b: Reduce pollutants originating from shipping activities and offshore installations

3.3 Management targets and priority status required to meet the EcoQOs

Each EcoQO is assigned a number of management targets that address the immediate, underlying and root causes of the concern areas. For regional level interventions, the Black Sea coastal States and the international partners shall work collectively to take the required steps to fulfill those interventions. National level supporting interventions will be the responsibility of individual states.

Management targets are shown in the table below. The timings of the interventions in order to meet these targets are also listed (short-term = 1-5 years, mid-term = >5-10 years and long-term = >10 years), as is the perceived relative importance of individual interventions. Further details on each EcoQO, including targets, outputs, time to implement, legal, institutional and policy reforms required, indicators of success and uncertainties are presented in a series of matrices in Annex 1.

Reference (Annex 3)	Overall target	Short-term target	Mid-term target	Long-term target	Priority
(1)	Adopt and implement a Regional Agreement for fisheries and conservation of living resources of the Black Sea.				High
(10)	Develop and introduce methodologies to assess the condition of populations of commercial marine living resources.				Medium
(11)	Finalise, adopt and implement the regional SAP for Black Sea Biodiversity and undertake 5 yearly regional update of the list of conservation status of threatened coastal and marine species as well as list of critical habitats for these species.				High / Medium
(12)	All six BS countries adopt and implement a regional Conservation Plan for Black Sea endangered species and develop national action plans.				Medium
(13)	Assess impacts of climate change on Black Sea ecosystem and sustainable development of the coastal population				Medium/ Low
(14)	Consider the necessity of creation of new and/or expansion of existing protected areas, including transboundary areas in consultation with the relevant Black Sea countries with particular attention to marine protected areas. Establish or extend these areas where necessary.				High
(15)	Further recognise and implement integrated coastal zone management principles.				High / Medium
(16)	Develop and disseminate information, training and education materials on ICZM in regional languages, referring to coastal and marine biodiversity conservation.				Medium
(17)	Regionally converge on Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment procedures.				Medium
(18)	Amend national waste strategies and/or national coastal zone management plans with the aim of coastal and marine litter minimisation.				Medium
(19)	Develop regional and national marine litter monitoring and assessment methodologies on the basis of common research approaches, evaluation criteria and reporting requirements.				Medium
(20)	Promote/develop investment projects within national strategies/local plans to engineer, construct and install new solid waste recycling facilities, landfill sites and incineration plants, complying with BAT regulations.				Medium
(21)	Monitor and facilitate the progress in the implementation of nationally developed management plans of the protected areas.				High / Medium
(22)	Develop an inventory, classification and a mapping system for BS habitats.				High / Medium
(23)	Identify and make an inventory of Black Sea landscapes of high natural, historical, cultural and aesthetic value.				Medium
(24)	Undertake preliminary regional assessment of coastal erosion.				Low
(25)	Support coordinated scientific studies, increase resources to marine science and improve capacity particularly through targeted training programmes supporting scientific projects/programmes.				High / Medium
(26)	Promote cooperation in the Black Sea in line with principles and recommendations of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments.				High
(27)	Harmonise ballast water procedures using IMO guidelines.				High
(28)	Identify actions towards ratification of the BWM Convention in the BS region.				High
(29)	Implement integrated river basin management and integrated coastal zone management approaches, as stated in revised LBSA protocol.				High
(30)	Introduce cost efficiency approach to nutrient management in all BS countries.				Medium
(31)	Upgrade all WWTPs serving populations > 200,000 p.e. within the BS countries sub-basins to include N&P removal.				High / Medium
(32)	Ensure all tourist resorts are connected to sewerage systems with WWTPs of adequate capacity to address seasonal loads.				High / Medium
(33)	Ensure that all industrial plants have adequate wastewater treatment to reduce N&P emissions from direct discharge to surface waters.				High / Medium
(34)	Reduce or phase out the use of high P-containing laundry detergents.				High
(35)	Introduce harmonised P and N standards for all WWTPs serving >100,000 p.e. Ensure compliance with and harmonise standards at regional level.				Medium
(36)	Reduce atmospheric emissions of N from municipal, agricultural and industrial sources, though the introduction of BAT, BAP principles etc.				High / Medium
(37)	Harmonise the monitoring and assessment of N & P (concentrations and loads) in major rivers and straits.				High
(38)	Improve network of atmospheric deposition monitoring stations around the Black Sea coast.				Medium
(39)	Develop a nutrient modelling tool to enable source apportionment estimates to be made.				Medium
(40)	Improve the use of regulatory instruments for reducing point and diffuse source pollution from agriculture.				High
(41)	Where financial resources are available and to the greatest possible extent, introduce appropriate economic incentives to reduce nutrient emissions from agriculture.				High / Medium
(42)	Develop and expand the capacity of national agricultural extension services for promoting the control of agricultural pollution.				High
(43)					Medium
(44)	Develop/define BAT for the design and operation of large-scale agro-industrial livestock production units, including pig and poultry farms with no land.				High / Medium
(45)	All BS states agree to implement provisions of the LBSA Protocol to the BS Convention.				High
(46)	Strengthen enforcement of national/regional and international regulations on land–based pollution sources.				High / Medium
(47)	Develop economic incentive mechanisms for chemical pollution control.				High / Medium
(48)	Introduce and disseminate the concept of BAT and BEP as a tool for encouraging farmers to deliver the highest level of on-farm pollution control.				High
(49)	Introduce BAT and BEP for the most polluting industries and activities in all BS countries.				High / Medium
(50)	Harmonise environmental quality standards throughout the Black Sea region and elaborate regionally agreed criteria for assessment of the state of the Black Sea environment.				High
(51)	Develop/improve the existing monitoring system to provide comparable data sets for pollutant loads (from direct discharges and river inputs) and for other parameters.				High
(52)	Improve the “List of Black Sea-specific priority pollutants” to help target monitoring priorities.				High / Medium
(53)	Continue/improve rehabilitation /construction and monitoring of wastewater treatment plants.				High / Medium
(54)	Optimise and/or increase resources to regulatory and enforcement bodies responsible for pollution control and improve capacity through targeted training programmes.				High / Medium
(55)	Adopt the Black Sea Contingency Plan to the Protocol on Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Emergency Situations (Part I – Response to oil pollution).				High / Medium
(56)	Develop and adopt Part II (Chemical Plan) of the Black Sea Contingency Plan to the Protocol on Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Emergency Situations.				High / Medium
(57)	Establish an inter-state ministerial mechanism to enable a quick response to major pollution events.				High / Medium
(58)	Adopt and enforce relevant international legal instruments for safety navigation, pollution prevention, limitation of liability and compensation.				High / Medium
(59)	Improve regulations/ management of dredging / dumping activities.				Medium
(60)	Provide adequate port reception facilities for ship-generated wastes according to MARPOL 73/78, Annex I, IV, V.				High / Medium
(61)	Establish a harmonised fee/cost recovery system on ship-generated waste.				High / Medium
(62)	Develop systems for the identification of illegal pollution sources from vessels and off-shore installations.				Medium
(63)	Develop/establish a harmonised enforcement system in cases of illegal discharges from vessels and off-shore installations, including technical means and fines.				High / Medium
(64)	Develop a common system of claims management for pollution damages compensation.				Medium
(65)	Assess the need to develop a legal framework for assessment of the transportation of hazardous wastes in line with Basel Convention.				High / Medium

In addition, having regard to the ecosystem approach, the following recommendations are made to competent authorities on fisheries management.

(2)	Harmonise and improve methodologies for the collation of fisheries statistic data and for assessment of the fish stocks at a regional level				High
(3)	Increase resources to regulatory bodies responsible for fisheries management				Medium
(4)	Improved regionally-agreed system to match fishing effort to stocks				High
(5)	Ban non–precautionary fishing technologies				High/ Medium
(6)	Introduce instruments including management, economic and legal to ensure increased production from environmentally friendly mariculture to encourage a decrease in fishing effort.				High / Medium
(7)	Develop regulations aimed at decreasing by-catch level				High / Medium
(8)	Elaborate and implement measures for increasing of the fish recruitment for the protection of juvenile commercial fish.				Medium
(9)	Minimise ghost fishing caused by discarded, abandoned or lost fixed and floating nets, including those used in illegal/unregulated fishing activities				Medium

3.4 Cross-cutting issues in the Black Sea

A number of cross-cutting issues in the Black Sea will also need to be addressed in order for the EcoQOs to be successfully achieved. These include:

• Capacity strengthening for enforcement (pollution, alien species, fisheries management)
• Improved public engagement (see Section 3.5)
• Strengthen the regional coordinating role of the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution (see Section 3.6)
• Climate change.

 

These issues have not necessarily been dealt with by inclusion as Management Targets under all of the Ecological Quality Objectives (Section 3.3).

Stakeholder involvement (improved public engagement) is seen as being particularly important in addressing agriculture-derived pollution (POPs and nutrients), fishing activities and the introduction/acceptance of the BAT and BEP principle by industry representatives.

The Causal Chain Analyses in the 2007 Black Sea TDA found climate change to be a contributory factor to all four transboundary problems, but not an immediate or underlying cause. Moreover, the causes of climate change are global, so need to be addressed primarily at a global, rather than a regional level, albeit with national targets set to tackle the issue. For this reason, climate change is included only in Management Target 13 (Annex 3), with the intention only to investigate the impacts of this phenomenon.

3.5 Stakeholder engagement

Full public involvement is required at all levels in order to successfully implement the Bucharest Convention. Barriers to public engagement including linguistic, legal, operational, as well as differing perspectives among stakeholders, politicians and policy makers, need to be overcome to achieve wider public “buy-in” to the aims and achievements of the Black Sea Commission. This will continue to be done through awareness-raising activities (e.g. the celebration of International Black Day) and improved outreach programmes, such as regional information networks and information exchange mechanisms. However, it needs to be acknowledged that effective engagement of civil society in planning, management and decision-making can only be accomplished by on-going encouragement, strengthened capacities, and financial commitment by donors and countries.

3.6 Institutional organisation of the BSC and subsidiary bodies

With the end of 15 years of GEF-UNDP financial and technical support for the operation of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies, there is a need to revise and restructure the staffing and operation of the Permanent Secretariat, whilst increasing the effectiveness of the Advisory Groups and Activity Centres.

3.6.1. The CommissionThe Black Sea Commission shall take a proactive role in promoting the objectives of the BS SAP and improving the visibility of the Black Sea Commission.

3.6.2.The Permanent SecretariatStrengthening of the Permanent Secretariat is of paramount importance for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention and the BS SAP. The Black Sea coastal states consider essential to manage the responsibilities and work load and will ensure support to have fully staffed and highly operational Permanent Secretariat.

3.6.3. The Advisory Groups and Activity Centres Contracting Parties shall further support and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Advisory Groups and Activity Centers. The role of these bodies will be analysed and if necessary enhanced to ensure effective implementation of the SAP and the Convention.

4.1 Legal framework

Coastal countries’ activities in the field of environmental protection of the Black Sea are regulated under the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution, its Protocols and other relevant national/international legislation. The Black Sea countries are also bound by international environmental agreements and conventions. A large number of conventions and agreements have been signed and ratified by all six countries, providing a good basis for improvement of transboundary cooperation. International / transboundary cooperation is also supported through bi/tri-lateral agreements.

Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine are also parties to the Danube River Protection Convention, which forms the overall legal instrument for cooperation and transboundary water management in the Danube River Basin. All Black Sea countries are members of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, where the cooperation is ensured through a Memorandum of Understanding. Being members of the European Community Bulgaria and Romania have expressed the need to ensure the full participation of the European Community in the BSC and the issue will be addressed in accordance with the procedures under the Convention.

There are a number of regional economic organizations with which the Black Sea countries may cooperate in achieving the goals of the SAP.

Changes of the present legal framework are expected to occur at the regional level. These changes may include: ratification by all six countries of the 2003 Black Sea Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation Protocol, adoption and ratification of the Protocol on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Black Sea from Land-Based Sources and Activities and of the Legally Binding Document on Fisheries. In addition, the 1996 BS SAP is replaced by updated BS SAP 2009, following political negotiations and ministerial agreement. Implementation of regional (and wider international) agreements and policies into national legislation requires the formation of national management structures, for example, Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committees.

In order to strengthen and coordinate regional cooperation related to the transboundary problems of chemical pollution, changes in habitats, biodiversity and marine living resources and eutrophication, all six coastal countries shall endeavour to:

• Agree on negotiated amendments to the Bucharest Convention
• Sign and ratify the 2003 Biodiversity Protocol by all Contracting Parties to the Bucharest Convention
• Adopt and ratify the Revised LBSA Protocol
• Finalise and present for negotiations and signing the legally binding document on Fisheries
• Join other relevant global/regional conventions and harmonize with relevant international and regional policies, where applicable.
• Improve enforcement of relevant national environmental legislation

4.2 Institutional framework

Following agreement at Ministerial level, national implementation of the SAP shall be the responsibility of the governments of the Black Sea Countries and coordination of the its implementation at the regional level shall be entrusted to the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution.

Black Sea Countries agree to:

• Establish and/or strengthen national Inter–Ministerial Coordination Committees to ensure integration of the SAP objectives into national plans
• Appoint/nominate, under the leadership of the Members of the Black Sea Commission, BS SAP National Focal Points, (NFPs) to be responsible for the national coordination and monitoring of BS SAP implementation
• Develop or incorporate into existing national plans (Black Sea National Action Plans or National Environmental Action Plans) activities in accordance with the targets agreed in the BS SAP 2009

• Ensure necessary expert support to the BSC Advisory Groups as it deems necessary. If additional expertise is required to provide in country support to the focal points of the Black Sea Commission Members
• Nominate the national institutions to provide data/information to the BSC focal points and consequently to the BSC Permanent Secretariat; the provided data/information shall be validated by the National Focal Point and supervised by the BS Commissioner.

At the regional level, SAP implementation will be coordinated by the BS Commission supported by BSC Permanent Secretariat, BSC Advisory Groups and Activity Centres as in kind contribution of the Black Sea coastal states. Additional funding for SAP implementation should be sought from both public and private sectors. The Permanent Secretariat will need to maintain close communication with the NFPs, who should report annually to the BS Commission on SAP implementation status at national levels. In implementing the requirements of this document, it is expected that the BSC will act as:

• The political body developing regional environmental standards, approaches and methodologies, guidance of its own and regulations/guidelines supplementary to measures imposed by other international organisations
• The supervisory body dedicated to ensuring that SAP provisions are fully implemented by all parties throughout the Black Sea region
• The regional body responsible for supplying information to stakeholders on:

i) The state of/trends in the marine environmentii) The efficacy of measures to protect itiii) Common initiatives and positions which could form the basis for cooperation and decision-making in other international fora

5.1. National financing

Reliable funding is essential for the implementation of BS SAP. Domestic finances, both public and private, shall remain the major source of environmental protection funding in the Black Sea countries. Countries shall actively develop Public-Private Partnerships and other innovative approaches to the delivery of traditionally state-owned environmental services such as water resource management or municipal environmental infrastructure. Specific national funding arrangements for the implementation of BS SAP shall be reflected in national strategic policy documents: National BS Action Plans or National Environmental Action Plans.

5.2. International assistance

There are strong reasons for continuing the international financial assistance for the protection of the Black Sea environment. International assistance still plays an important catalytic role in overall regional cooperation. The expansion of the EU in the region has had a major impact, resulting in new opportunities for better environmental management and accessing environmental finances. The new EU Neighbourhood and Partnership instrument provides new opportunities for enhanced transboundary cooperation and access to additional finances. The priorities and approaches of donors and IFIs in the Black Sea region have steadily evolved since bilateral donors are progressively scaling down their programmes in the area, while IFIs have increased their assistance in the form of loans. Taking into account this fact, strengthening and building of the project development capacity, at both national and sub-national levels, and donor coordination are essential. Donors have also made important progress in developing more coordinated and strategic ways of working together, for example through EU multi-donor initiatives such as the Danube and Black Sea Task Force (DABLAS). One of the key challenge for the years to come will include the scale up and disseminate the positive experiences from donor and IFI past projects, especially from GEF funded BSEP and BSERP.

EcoQO 1: Preserve commercial marine living resources.
EcoQO 1a: Sustainable use of commercial fish stocks and other marine living resources.
MANAGEMENT TARGET	ANTICIPATED OUTPUTS	(a) TIME	(b) REFORMS	(c) INDICATORS	(d) PRIORITY	UNCERTAINTIES
(a)Time required to implement, (b) Legal, institutional or policy reforms required, (c) Indicators of success, (d) Relative priority: high, medium, or low,
Policy/legislation
(1). Adopt and implement a Regional Agreement for fisheries and conservation of living resources of the Black Sea	Stocks managed in a sustainable manner		LBD on fisheries adopted in all Black Sea countries	Regional agreement on fishery management signed and enforced.	High	Position of EC on behalf of Bulgaria and Romania
Short-term targetIntroduce quota regime for turbot and other demersal fish stocks	Management of the state of fish stocks in sustainable way	5 years		Increase in biomass of demersal fish stocks of 30%
Mid-term targetEstablish remote sensing (satellite) system for observing and controlling fishing operations in open sea	Control of fishing vessels during the closed season and protection of the closed areas	10 years		End of poaching activity in open sea
Monitoring and assessment
(2). Harmonise and improve methodologies for the collation of fisheries statistic data and for assessment of the fish stocks at a regional levelShort-term targetStock assessment methodologies agreed for all demersal fish, anchovy and spratMethodologies agreed by all 6 countries for improved estimation of individual species and total fish landingsMid-term targetsUndertake regular, and where possible, coordinated stock assessments of all commercially important fishReporting of improved landing statistics to the Black Sea Commission and FAO	Knowledge of the state and fluctuations of the exploited stocks improved;Effective control/improved statistical system for data collectionImproved methodologies developed and agreed by all 6 countries Improved fisheries data collection, reporting and assessment	3-4 years5-6 years5-6 years	Adoption of national requirements for collection and processing of fishery statistics	Methodologies developed and accepted by all 6 countries for harmonised stock assessments to be undertaken and improved landing statistics to be collectedReporting of improved statistics to the Black Sea Commission and FAO	High	Political will to establish common system Differences in scientific community Conflict of interest between stakeholders
Capacity-building of regulatory/enforcement authorities
(3). Increase resources to regulatory bodies responsible for fisheries management	Increased protection of marine living resources	1 - 5 years	Yes	Number of staff employed in enforcement activities Number of permits/licenses grantedNumber of inspections undertakenNumber of fees/measures applied/taken for non-compliance	Medium	Political willingness Financing
EcoQO 1b: Restore/rehabilitate stocks of commercial marine living resources.
Management, Policy and Legislation
(4). Improved regionally-agreed system to match fishing efforts to stocks	Common prohibition periods/terms for shared and migratory stocks;Harmonised scientific approach and standardized regulations	3-6 years	Yes	See EcoQO 1a, Target (2)See EcoQO 1a, Target (1)	High	Political will to established common system Differences in scientific community Conflict of interest between stakeholders
(5). Ban on non–precautionary fishing technologies in force (notably dredging and bottom trawlingShort-term targetDevelop draft document, including detailed regionally-agreed definition of unsustainable fishing gearMid/long-term targetsAgreement signed and ratifiedEffectiveness of ban assessed	Protection of benthic environment (improved habitats for reproduction of demersal fish and invertebratesBan of unsustainable fishing practicesDraft agreement developedAgreement adopted and ratifiedSurveys of known impacted zones to assess recovery	3 years6 years10+ years	Yes	Document draftedDocument signed by all countriesNumber/scope of surveys funded and undertaken	High/ Medium	Effective Control Interest of stakeholders
(6). Introduce instruments including management, economic and legal to ensure increased production from environmentally friendly mariculture to encourage a decrease in fishing effort.	Decreased fishing effort on natural living resourcesIncreased production from mariculture – impact assessment on the environment	5 years	Policy reforms to encourage/ support relevant activities	Significantly increased production from environmental friendly mariculture	High/ Medium	Negative effect of aquaculture on the environment
(7). Develop regulations aimed at decreasing by-catch levelShort-term targetEstablish regionally agreed minimum permitted length of commercial fish and minimum mesh sizes for target speciesMid-term targetRobust enforcement of regulations	Low levels of by-catch/discards;Selectivity of the fishing gears introduced.	3 years7 years	Yes	By-catch levels are low or negligibleAgreement establishedNumber of vessel inspections undertakenBiomass of enforced discards	High / Medium	By-catch is strongly related to net mesh size. Small net sizes are required for small fish, such as anchovy and sprat, the landings of which are overwhelmingly Turkish. Actions would therefore require a substantial change in Turkish fisheries management.
(8). Elaborate and implement measures for increasing of the fish recruitment for the protection of juvenile commercial fishShort-term targetsIdentify and introduce closed nursery areasEstablish and introduce closed seasons for demersal fish	Properly managing the exploitation of the stock Introduction of closed nursery areasIntroduction of closed seasons for turbot and other demersal fish	4 years4 years	Yes	Measures elaborated and agreed by all countriesJuvenile stocks increaseArea of closed nursery watersClosed seasons introduced	Medium	Establishment of flexible approach for introduction of a closed season and closed areas
(9). Minimise ghost fishing caused by discarded, abandoned or lost fixed and floating nets, including those used in illegal/unregulated fishing activities	Amendment to draft LBD on fisheries, identifying national enforcement agencies responsible for the collection and, disposal of abandoned fishing gear, and where appropriate, penalisation of offending parties	5-10 years	Yes	Draft amendment produced.Amendment agreed and ratified by all 6 countriesNumber/length/area of discarded nets recovered	Medium	This represents a further layer of complication to acceptance of the LBD on Fisheries. Therefore, proposed as an amendment to this document once it has been accepted. Dependent on initial signing and, ratification of the draft fisheries LBD
Monitoring
(10). Develop and introduce methodologies to assess the condition of populations of commercial marine living resourcesShort-term targetScheme developed and adopted at Commission level, including detailed methodologiesMid-term targetRaw assessment data reported to the BSC permanent secretariat by all countries	Proper management of marine resourcesDocument written and agreement reachedAnnual assessments made	2 years7 years	Policy, in some countries, to ensure required data are collected	Established regionally agreed set of indicatorsFirst assessment made by the Black Sea Commission on the basis of raw data provided by individual countries	Medium	Agreement of national scientists on basis of scheme
EcoQO 2: Conservation of Black Sea Biodiversity and Habitats
EcoQO 2a: Reduce the risk of extinction of threatened species
11). Finalise and adopt the regional SAP for Black Sea Biodiversity, and undertake 5 yearly regional update of the list of conservation status of threatened coastal and marine species as well as list of critical habitats for these species	Finalised and adopted regional Biodiversity StrategyDevelopment of National plans Regularly updated Red List of species and List of critical habitatsElectronic version of updated BS Red Data Book of species on the web page of the BS Commission		Reflects the regional SAP for biodiversity in national policies,	Approved SAP for Black Sea Biodiversity Reduced number of threatened species and increase in their abundance.Red list of species and BS Red Data Electronic Book updated every 5 yearsNumber of species evaluated according to IUCN criteria, categories and regional guidelinesReduced number and area of critical habitats	High	Regional Agreement may not be signed
Short-term targetsRegional SAP for Black Sea Biodiversity finalised and adopted by all six countriesRed list updated in 2 years time		5 years
Mid-term targetRed list of species in Annex 2 of the BSBLC Protocol updated in 4 years time		2 years
Long-term targetRed list of species updated in 12 years time, etc.		4 years12 years
(12). All six BS countries to adopt a regional Conservation Plan for Black Sea endangered species and develop national action plans	Regional survey. Assess species requiring conservation plan.Development of stranding network, by- catch network and network of MPAs eligible for cetaceans conservation.	5-10 years	Yes	The regional Plan is approved by the BSCNational Plans developedNetworks developedEndangered species abundance, distribution and threats assessedEstablished national and transboundary MPAs;Methodology developed to reduce significant by-catches of cetaceans	Medium	Political acceptance Availability of necessary funds for its implementation in each BS country
Climate change
(13). Assess impacts of climate change on Black Sea ecosystem and sustainable development of the coastal population	Knowledge on the impacts of climate change improved	3-5 years	No	Comprehensive study on the consequences of climate change in the Black Sea region	Medium/ Low	Options to address the causes of climate change lie in the development of national programmes and multi-national agreements, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (incorporating the Kyoto Protocol)Differences in scientific community
EcoQO 2b: Conserve coastal and marine habitats and landscapes
Management, Policy and Legislation
(14). Consider the necessity of creation of new and/or expansion of existing protected areas, including transboundary areas in consultation with the relevant Black Sea coastal countries with particular attention to the marine protected areas Short-term targetDevelop harmonised approach for the identification of Black Sea PAsMid-term targetProduce list of receommended Coastal/Marine Protected Areas	A sufficient number, size and network of coastal and marine BS PAs, to ensure the conservation of natural ecosystems and processes ensuring long term continuity between areas Methodology developed for identification, characterisation and assessment of the areas of high regional importance (potential protected areas)List of recommended areas for designation as protected.	5 years5-7 years	Yes	Number and total area of marine and coastal PA’s increased :		Funding Political acceptance
(15). Further recognise and implement integrated coastal zone management principles Short–term targetDevelop ICZM Guidelines	Common understanding of what ICZM is and how to apply itClear boundaries of the coastal zone eliminate uncertainties about responsibilitiesAcceptance that conservation of coastal habitats and species is of equal relevance to socio-economic development	5 years	Yes	Number of policies, plans or legislative acts related to the coast that reflect ICZM principlesBS Regional ICZM Guidelines written and accepted		Political acceptance Financial constraints
(16). Develop and disseminate information, training and education materials on ICZM in regional languages, referring to coastal biodiversity conservationShort-term targetEducational materials produced and disseminatedMid-term targetNational training exercises held	Increased awareness of stakeholders to the benefits of ICZM and coastal biodiversity conservation	1 – 3 years3-6 years	No	Number of publications produced and disseminated Number of training workshops held		Openness of existing institutions to integrate ICZM teaching content into curriculum Support by Ministries of Education Political acceptance
(17). Regionally converge Environmental Statement, Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment procedures Short-term targetDevelopment and acceptance of guidance document by BSCMid-term targetHarmonisation and/or introduction of national ES/EIA/SEA legislation in all 6 countries	Revision of preliminary plans/ programmes with unacceptable consequences for coastal biodiversity Spatial plans balance different coastal uses, including biodiversity conservation in a fair mannerAgreement on a list of assessment indicators Agreement on assessment methodology	3 years7 years	Yes	EA/EIA/SEA procedures for the Black Sea region Number of EIA and SEA studies conducted in accordance with regional guidance/national legislationHarmonised guidance document produced and agreed to by all 6 coastal countriesNational legislation developed/adapted to take account of regional guidance document		Enforcement Financial constraints
(18). Amend national waste strategies and national coastal zone management plans with the aim of marine litter minimisation Short-term targetAmendments to national strategies accepted, where requiredMid-term targets Clean-up of unregulated/illegal riverine and coastal dumping sitesAmendments to national strategies incorporated into local, costal and landfill site management plans	Reduced input of land-derived solid waste to the marine environment	1-3 years3-6 years 3-10 years	Change in strategy, if not policy	Amendments incorporated into national strategiesNumber of illegal costal dumping sites cleaned-upChanges in strategies incorporated in national/local coastal management plansNumber of operational plans at regulated river/coastal landfill sites amended to reduce input of solid waste to rivers or directly to the Black Sea		Costs very difficult to estimate. National waste strategies exist, but not clear whether costal zone management plans exist for all coastal regions
(19). Develop regional and national marine litter monitoring and assessment methodologies on the basis of common research approaches, evaluation criteria and reporting requirements	Improved quantification of marine litter and identification of sources, allowing improved prosecution of offenders	1-6 years	Yes, policy at least	Regional guidance produced and distributed by BSC. National programmes developed, funded and operational Results reported to BSC for incorporation within a regional marine litter database		Likely to require extensive involvement of NGO community/volunteers to prevent costs from escalating
(20). Promote/develop investment projects within national strategies/local plans to engineer, construct and install new solid waste recycling facilities and incineration plants, complying with BAT regulations	Improved recycling/ incineration of solid waste, resulting in reduced solid waste for disposal to landfill and reduced atmospheric emissions from incinerators	Continuous improvement over 15+ years		No of project outlines developedNo. of projects financedNo. of projects completed		Projects need to be cost-efficient and "bankable"�
Monitoring
(21). Monitor and facilitate the progress in the implementation of nationally developed management plans for designated protected areas	Regional assessment of the progress of the management of BS protected area	1-5 years	Yes	Approved Management plans printed and/or placed on web site(s)Improved state of the protected areas	High	Financing for implementation and enforcement Low level of enforcement
(22). Develop an inventory, classification and a mapping system for BS habitats	Improved knowledge of BS habitatsGIS maps and list of BS threatened habitats	1-7 years		Approval of classification system by the scientific communities in the BS regionInventory and classification of coastal and marine habitats completed and publishedBS Habitats Maps available on the web page of the BSCRegularly (5 years) updated list of the BS threatened habitats on the web page of the BSC	High / Medium	Acceptance of proposed classification system by individual countries and BSC Availability of funds for each BS country
(23). Identify and make an inventory of Black Sea landscapes of high natural, historical, cultural and aesthetic value	Regionally agreed guidelines for identification and characterization of the BS landscapesImproved knowledge of theBS Landscapes	1 -10 years	No	BS landscapes of high natural, historical, cultural and natural, Natural, historical, cultural and aesthetic value of key landscapes identifiedInventory completed	Medium	Political acceptance
(24). Undertake preliminary regional assessment of coastal erosion	Preliminary assessment would identify sites of high erosion/deposition, consider impacts and options for management (sea defence construction, artificial beach nourishment, managed retreat, etc.)	3 years	No, but report should include recommendations for regional/ national policy development	Report produced, including recommendations	Low	Expensive and complex issue to address fullyIdentified in the initial stages of the TDA process as being primarily a multi-national, rather than transboundary issue. Therefore given a low priority. Potential funding for regional project currently being sought by BSC Permanent Secretariat
Capacity-building of monitoring staff
(25). Support coordinated scientific studies, increase resources to marine scientists and improve capacity particularly through targeted training programmes supporting scientific projects/programmes	Increased knowledge of BS ecology/chemistry	1 – 5 years	Yes	National budgets allocated to BSIMAP-participating laboratories to undertake BSIMAP-specific monitoring,Number of BSIMAP-participating staff attending capacity-building events (training workshops, conferences, etc.)	High/ Medium	Financing
EcoQO 2c: Reduce and manage human mediated species introductions
Management, Policy and Legislation
(26). Promote cooperation in the Black Sea in line with principles and recommendations of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments	Overview of BS states national legislation relevant to ballast water management	1-2 years	Yes	Level of compliance with the provisions of the BWM Convention	High	Low enforcement of existing national legislations on introduction of new exotic species
(27). Harmonise ballast water procedures using IMO guidelines	Agreed areas of exchange and amount of exchanged waters, agreed controls of ballast waters in portsEnhanced control of transfer of alien species	1-5 years	Yes	Harmonised national legislations on ballast water exchanging control	High
(28). Identify actions towards ratification of the BWM Convention in the BS region	Road map to reduce the risk of alien species invasion	1-7 years	National plans for BWM management	Road map produced and acted upon	High	Political acceptance
EcoQO 3: Reduce eutrophication
Nutrient Management Policies
(29). Implement integrated river basin management and integrated coastal zone management approaches, as stated in revised LBSA protocolShort-term targetAdoption of LBSA Mid/Long-term targetImplementation of River Basin Management principles	Revised LBSA protocol ratified by all BS countriesAdoption of a River Basin based’ approach to managing eutrophication	2 years4-15 years	Yes	Adoption of LBSA protocolIntroduction of River Basin Management (RBM) principles in BS basin by all countries, with appropriate reporting through the BSC	High	Political acceptance of LBSA protocolFinancing to implement catchment management throughout basin
(30). Introduce cost efficiency approach to nutrient management in all BS countries	Reduced costs to tackle the issue of excessive nutrient emissions.	6-7years	Possibly	Studies undertaken in all BS countries to identify cost efficient approaches	Medium	Acceptance by all BS countries of methodology National resources available to implement national studies. Countries will still have to comply with existing national legislation, even if this requires them to undertake a more a more expensive approach to nutrient pollution management
(31). Upgrade all WWTPs serving populations > 200,000 p.e. within the six BS country sub-basins to include N&P removalShort-term targetIdentify WWTPs requiring upgradeMid/Long-term targetUpgrade identified WWTPs	Overall: reduced nutrient loads from WWTPs.Priority list prepared for investments (See EcoQO 4 – Chemical Pollution)Upgraded WWTPs(See EcoQO 4 – Chemical Pollution)	2 years9 -20 years	No	Priority lists of WWTPs for upgradeFinancing plans developed.Number of identified WWTPs upgraded	High/ Medium	Political acceptanceFinancing availability
(32). Ensure all tourist resorts are connected to sewerage systems with WWTPs of adequate capacity to address seasonal loads	Reduced loads of N/P etc. and improved bathing water on beachesImproved environmental sustainability of tourism sectorPriority lists for upgrading sewerage connections and / WWTPs in tourist centres		No	Reduced marine pollution and improved bathing water quality	Medium/ High	Agreement to protect tourist centres from civil wastewaterFinancing availability
Short-term target s Identify locations in need of connection to sewerage systems and required capacity of WWTPsPreparation of national priority lists for investments	(See EcoQO 4 – Chemical Pollution)	2 years		Prioritised list for upgrading sewerage and WWTPs in tourist centres
Long-term target Implement upgrading of priority sewerage systems and WWTPs		10 – 20 years		Identified priorities incorporated into national finance plansNumber of priority list actions implemented
(33). Ensure that all industrial plants have adequate wastewater treatment to reduce N&P emissions from direct discharge to surface waters Short-term target Develop prioritised list of investments needed based on hot-spot analysis.Long-term targetImplement investments to reduce industrial pollution	Hot-spots from industrial discharges identifiedReduced N/P discharged(See EcoQO 4 – Chemical Pollution)	1 year10 – 20 years	No	Updated hot-spot analysis for BS region Agreement of prioritised list of industrial discharges to be addressed Agreed financing plan (private, national and international sources)Completion of investments to reduce industrial discharges	High / Medium	Lack of agreement on prioritiesInsufficient legal resources to encourage industries to complyFunding
(34). Reduce or phase out the use of high P-containing laundry detergentsMid-term targetPromote the production, distribution and use of P-free detergents in all 6 countries Long-term targetIf necessary, introduce compulsory bans where voluntary measures prove unsuccessful	Significantly reduced P loads (>20% reduced from domestic sources) to the BSDeveloped strategies in each country to address high-P laundry detergents	6-7 years10+ years	Yes	Low-P products available for consumersReduced P loads discharged from WWTPsHigh-P-containing laundry detergents no longer sold	High	Opposition from industry (P producers and possibly detergent manufacturers)Political acceptance of the benefits
(35). Introduce harmonized P and N standards for all WWTPs serving >100,000 p.e. Ensure compliance with and harmonise standards at regional levelShort-term targetAgree on harmonized N and P standards Long-term targetAdherence to standards through improved enforcement	Reduced N/P emissions through improved management and enforcement of standardsAgreed quantitative nutrient discharge standards	2 years10 + years	Yes	Standards agreed Monitoring results show reductions and compliance with standards Prosecution numbers of dischargers failing to meet standards	Medium	Political acceptance of standardsResources available for monitoring and enforcementResources available to ensure WWTPs are upgraded where necessary
(36). Reduce atmospheric emissions of N from municipal, agricultural and industrial sources, though the introduction of BAT, BAP principles etc.	Reduced atmospheric deposition of N in BS;Improved understanding of sources of atmospheric N in region(Link with EcoQO – Chemical Pollution)	10+ years	Yes	Lists of sites where N emissions are established	High/ Medium	Uncertainty over % N derived from atmospheric sourcesResources needed to undertake modelling studies and implement monitoring network
Monitoring and Modelling
(37). Harmonise the monitoring and assessment of N&P in major rivers and straitsShort-term targetAgree the procedures (determinants, methods, QA/QC frequency, locations, reporting, interpretation etc.)Mid-term targetImplement the agreed load monitoring procedures for major rivers discharging into the Black Sea	Improved knowledge of N/P loads discharged into the Black Sea enabling improvements to be readily identified and reported to the BSC and other stakeholders.Agreed procedures recommended for adoption and implementation All countries adopt harmonised procedures for monitoring nutrient loads discharged to the Black Sea(Link with EcoQO – Chemical Pollution)	2 years10 years	Yes	Agreement by all countries to adopt common procedures for nutrient load monitoring and reporting with common QC/QA proceduresAll countries undertake and report agreed data to the BSCTrend analysis on nutrient loads utilised by policy makers within 10 years of all countries undertaking monitoring.	High	Regional agreement on proceduresFunding to undertake monitoring
(38) Improve network of atmospheric deposition monitoring stations around the Black Sea coast (at least 1 per country) Short-term targetAgree location, monitoring procedures etc. for atmospheric deposition monitoring program/ networkLong-term target Implementing the agreed atmospheric monitoring network	Better understanding of the estimates of atmospheric deposited pollutants enabling more reliable management decisions to be taken at sources of pollutants(Link with EcoQO 4 – Chemical Pollutants)	5 years10 + years	No	Monitoring network agreementMonitoring implementedResults from atmospheric deposition of N reported by all countries regularly to the BSC	Medium	Need for agreement on procedures etc.Funding to establish and operate monitoring network
(39). Develop a nutrient modelling tool to enable source apportionment estimates to be made Short-term targetDefine and agree functionality and operation of nutrient model.Mid-term targetDevelop and test model leading to an operational tool with results accessible to policy makers in all countries	An agreed modelling tool for all major rivers discharging into the Black Sea	2 years10 years	No	Agreed specification and functionality of modelCountries provide data to test / validate modelModel used to assist policy makers address nutrient hot spots	Medium	Agreement on modelling approachAcceptance of model outputs by all countries.Data availability to test and operate modelFinancing for development and operation of model
Agricultural sources of nutrients
(40). Improve the use of regulatory instruments for reducing point and diffuse source pollution from agricultureMid-term targetWhere necessary, introduce new/improve existing regulatory instruments to control specific farming practices with a high risk of causing nutrient lossesLong-term target Full compliance and effective enforcement of national regulatory instruments for reducing nutrient losses from agriculture	Clear definition for each country of the minimum standards of farm management to reduce the risk of nutrient pollution e.g. closed periods for application of fertiliser/manure to land, restrictions on application rates, minimum storage requirements for manure etc.Introduction or improvement of national regulations to encourage minimum standards of agricultural pollution control Full compliance of farmers with these regulations	5-6 years10+ years for all farmers to fully comply with regulations	Yes – in some countries. .	Definition of national minimum farming standardsDevelopment and legal adoption of new/improved regulations Level of compliance with new/improved regulationsLevel of investment in new/improved manure storage facilities	High	Common understanding and acceptance of the BAP concept by all relevant governmental institutions, NGOs and donors Definition of the minimum standard of pollution control for reducing nutrient losses varies between countriesFinancingContinued donor support
(41). Where financial resources are available and greatest possible extent, introduce appropriate economic incentives to reduce nutrient emissions from agriculture Mid-term targetUtilise available funds to introduce appropriate economic incentives for farmers to introduce specified management practices for reducing nutrient losses from agricultural landLong-term target Widespread adoption by farmers of specified management practices for reducing nutrient losses from agricultural land	Where financial resources are available, introduction of incentive schemes (e.g. agri-environment type payments) to encourage farmers to go beyond the minimum standard of agricultural pollution control and introduce specific management practices for the further reduction of nutrient losses Participation of farmers in these incentive schemesEffective impact of schemes upon water quality, particularly in areas most vulnerable to high nutrient losses	6 years depending on country10+ years depending on country	Yes – in some countries In BG and RO significant reforms have already been made to use available funds from the EU Common Agricultural Policy	Total funds available for incentive schemesEffective absorption of available funding resourcesNumber of farmers participating in incentive schemes Area of land with modified farming practices e.g. the increased use of crop rotations, re-integration of grazing livestock into specialised crop production systems (traditional mixed farming systems), introduction of legumes as substitute for fertiliser nitrogen, sowing of winter cover crops, creation of uncropped buffer zones, preparation of nutrient management plans etc.	High/Medium	Common understanding and acceptance of the BAP concept by all relevant governmental institutions, NGOs and donors Providing economic incentives is an expensive policy instrument and must be well-targeted to ensure effective use of available resources Farming practices promoted for reducing nutrient losses must be cost-effective for farmers or uptake will be limitedContinuation of donor support for agricultural pollution control projects is very important in some countriesPromotion and uptake of schemes requires effective agricultural advisory services, but capacity of these can be limited
(42). Develop and expand the capacity of national agricultural extension services for promoting the control of agricultural pollution Mid-term targetsIntroduce BAP concept to national agricultural extension services and the development of key advisory messages for reducing losses of nutrients from agricultureEffective communication of key advisory messages for reducing agricultural nutrient losses by national agricultural extension services	Simple, key advisory messages and supporting advisory materials/guidelines for farmers available in all local languages of Black Sea regionPublication of recommendations on fertiliser application rates for individual cropsDevelopment of a) appropriate advisory tools and b) new advisory facilities to promote good practice for reducing nutrient losses from agriculture	5-6 years depending on country	Yes – will vary between countries, but considerable reform of existing agricultural advisory services are necessary in some countries	Number of staff employed in agricultural advisory servicesAdvisory materials/guidelines printed e.g. Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Water Local training courses for advisers implementedNew advisory tools and facilities developed e.g. farm gate nutrient balances, nutrient management plans, farmer awareness events, farm visits/open days, farm demonstration projects, etc. Number of farm visits undertaken	High	Common understanding and acceptance of the BAP concept by all relevant governmental institutions, NGOs and donors Continuation of donor support for agricultural pollution control projects is very important in some countries Many projects/activities have already been conducted in Black Sea countries on the reduction of agricultural pollution, an inventory of these would be very useful for identifying the best examples/models to follow
(43). Promote organic farming and other low input farming systems Short-term targetRaise farmer awareness of certified organic farming and other low input farming systems as viable alternatives to conventional agriculture Mid-term target Widespread adoption by farmers of certified organic farming and other low input farming systems	Advisory materials/ guidelines for organic farming and other low input farming systems (e.g. EUREPGAP etc.) available in all local languages of Black Sea regionRelevant legislation for organic farming developed and fully harmonised with international standardsIncreased uptake of organic farming methods and other low input farming systems	1-3 years3-10 years depending on country	Yes – will vary between countries depending upon progress to-date to harmonise legislation, develop inspection and certification systems etc.	Production and distribution of educational materialsDevelopment and legal adoption of new/improved regulations for organic productionArea of agricultural land under certified organic production or other recognised low input farming system Total sales of organic productsTotal sales of products from other recognised low input farming systems e.g. EUREPGAP etc.	Medium	Common understanding and acceptance of the BAP concept by all relevant governmental institutions, NGOs and donors Technical difficulties associated with conversion to organic farmingAvailability of advice from agricultural extension servicesUncertainties of the market for organic products
(44). Develop/define BAT for the design and operation of large-scale agro-industrial livestock production units, including pig and poultry farms with no land Short-term targetIntroduce necessary legislation for application of BAT to agro-industrial units Mid-term target: Full introduction of BAT for all agro-industrial units in Black Sea region	Improved control of nutrient content of livestock feed. Technical in-plant measures for the reduction of waste water volume and pollution load Reduction of nutrient emissions by end-of-pipe measuresImproved environmental management e.g. improved disposal of livestock waste to land, close co-operation with environmental authorities etc.	3-5 years for regulatory framework6-10 years to fully introduce/ enforceregulations	Yes	Regulations drafted and adopted in all 6 Black Sea countriesNumber of agro-industrial production units modernised with a) technical in-plant measures e.g. separation of solid and liquid wastes, modification of livestock feed, mechanical cleaning rather than cleaning with liquids etc. and b) end-of-pipe installations	High / Medium	Common understanding and acceptance of the BAT concept by all relevant governmental institutions, NGOs and donors Low-nutrient animal feeds could have higher costsAvailability of financial resources for investment in BAT
EcoQO 4: Ensure Good Water Quality for Human Health, Recreational Use and Aquatic Biota
EcoQO 4a: Reduce pollutants originating from land based sources, including atmospheric pollutions
Policy / Legislation
(45). All BS states agree to implement provisions of the revised LBSA Protocol to the BS Convention	LBSA protocol ratified by all 6 countries..	1 -2 years following signature by all six BS Countries	Yes	Approval of the final text of the LBSA Protocol by the BSCAdoption of LBSA protocol by all 6 coastal countries.	High.	Dependant on signing Political negotiations could impact the recommended river basin management approach
(46). Strengthen enforcement of national/regional and international regulations on land – based pollution sources	Full compliance with the provisions of environmental legislation in and by each country	5–10 years	Yes	Level of compliance with regulationsNumber of permits/licenses granted Number of inspections undertaken	High/ Medium	Political acceptanceRegional inconsistency in terms of approaches;Financing for implementation and enforcement
Economic instruments
(47). Develop economic mechanisms for chemical pollution control	Regionally harmonised economic mechanisms promoting, for example, BAT/BAP, recycling etc.	10 years		P-free detergent sales increased (see Target (36))Number of farmers applying BAPNumber of installation using BATWell functioning advisory services	High	Political acceptance of economic instruments
(48). Introduce and disseminate the concept of BAP and BEP as a tool for encouraging farmers to deliver the highest level of on-farm pollution control Short–term targetIntroduction of BAP and BEP concept to relevant governmental institutions, NGOs, donors etc.Mid–term targetFull adoption of the BAP and BEP concept by relevant governmental institutions , NGOs, donors etc. and widespread practical implementation by farmers	Published guidelines on BAP and BEP concept for the Black Sea Region Appropriate activities to introduce BAP and BEP concept to relevant governmental institutions, NGOs and donors Black Sea countries agree to adopt BAP and BEP conceptInclusion of BAP and BEP concept in national strategies for protection and rehabilitation of the Black Sea Development of integrated programmes for reducing agricultural pollution at local/national level (depending on nature/scale of pollution problems) with a mix of regulatory, advisory and economic measures (where resources are available)Greater public awareness and transparency regarding agricultural pollution	1-5 years 5-10 years	Yes – will vary between countries, but various reforms may be necessary to implement the BAP and BEP concept	Guidelines developed in all countries in local languagesGuidelines printed and/or placed on website(s)Number of regional/national dissemination workshops heldNumber of integrated pollution control programmes adopted – including new/improved regulations, economic incentives (where resources available) and strengthened extension servicesImproved dialogue between Environment and Agricultural ministries through inter-ministerial meetings	High	Common understanding and acceptance of the BAP and BEP conceptSelection of appropriate expertsInter-ministry cooperation needs to be established /improved between agricultural and environment ministriesEnforcement of regulationsFunding available to assist dissemination of BAP and BEP concept and to encourage implementation by farmer
Pollution Management Policies
(49). Introduce BAT and BEP for the most polluting industries in all BS countries Mid-term targets Adopt BAT principles and policiesIdentify priority industries to implement BAT and BEP Provide training to priority industries on BAT and BEP Long-long-term target Implement BAT and BEP	BS Countries Agree to implement BAT and BEP Environmental Management Systems implemented;Cleaner production technologies/ activities in place Reduced industrial pollution	6 years10-15 years	Yes	National environmental legislation developed/adoptedList of most polluting industries establishedAgreed priority list of industrial sites to implement BAT and BEP.National/regional database of polluting industrial plants established and populated with metadataReduced pollutant emissionsInvestments made on clean technologies	High/ Medium	Political acceptance;Lack of enforcement of environmental legislation;Low involvement/ willingness of stakeholdersFinancingLack of enforcement of environmental legislation;Limited effectiveness of economic incentives mechanismsInter-ministry cooperation may be insufficient Low involvement/ willingness of stakeholders
(50). Harmonise environmental quality standards throughout the Black Sea region and elaborate regionally agreed criteria for assessment of the state of the Black Sea environment Short-term target Harmonise environmental water quality standards Mid-term targetHarmonise environmental sediment, biota and discharge quality standards	Improved assessment of loads entering the Black Sea and the quality of the marine environmentEstablishment of reference conditions and corresponding classification system for identification of good ecological status of the Black Sea	2-3 years5-10 years	No	Agreement of all 6 countries to use a standard operational procedure for the measurement and calculation of loads discharged from point sources of pollution (including rivers) into the Black Sea	High	Acceptance of proposed standards /methodology by individual countries and the BSC.
Environmental Monitoring
(51). Develop/improve the existing monitoring system to provide comparable data sets for pollutant loads (from direct discharges and river inputs) and for other parameters	Improved knowledge of pollution loads to the Sea.	5 years	Yes	Acceptance of method(s) by all countriesAgreement of all 6 countries to participate in (and fully fund) a harmonised monitoring programme, including equipment and staffing costsOperational national quality assurance programmes for the inter-comparison / inter-calibration of chemical concentration and flow data from point sourcesAll agreed raw data and annual loads regularly reported to the BSC	High	Staffing/cost issuesTechnical issues over parameters to be measured in some countries.
(52). Improve the “list of Black Sea-specific priority pollutants” to help target monitoring priorities	Harmonised monitoring strategy of the marine environment and point (including rivers) and diffuse sources of pollution	2 years	Yes	Agreement of all 6 countries to use the list of priority pollutantsBSIMAP updated/revised accordingly.	High / Medium	Staffing/Costs /technical issues
Rehabilitation / construction
(53). Continue/improve rehabilitation /construction of wastewater treatment plantsShort-term target Prioritise wastewater treatment investments needs Mid-long-term target Rehabilitation / construction of municipal and industrial treatment plants	List of project proposals clearedReduced loads of pollutants from major point sources discharging directly or indirectly (via rivers).	1 – 5 years5– 20 years	YesNo	List of investments establishedInvestments made (DABLAS)Reduced loads of nutrients, BOD, etc.	High	Political willingnessEncouragement and enforcement of industries to upgrade WWTPFinancing
Capacity building
(54). Optimise and/or increase resources to regulatory bodies responsible for pollution control and improve capacity through targeted training programmes	Build capacity of environmental authorities for enforcing regulations to control discharges from both point and diffuse sources	1- 5 years	Yes	Number of staff responsible for pollution controlBudget allocated for pollution controlNumber of staff participating in training courses, workshops, etc.	High / Medium	Political acceptanceFinancing
EcoQO 4b: Reduce pollutants originating from shipping activities and offshore installations
Policy/legislation
(55). Adopt the Black Sea Contingency Plan to the Protocol on Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in emergency situations (Part I – Response to oil pollution)	Adoption of the Plan by all 6 Black Sea Countries	1- 2 years	Georgia, Ukraine and Russia	Adoption of the Plan at national levels	High/ Medium	Political acceptance
(56). Develop and adopt Part II (Chemical Plan)of the Black Sea Contingency Plan to the Protocol on Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Emergency Situations Short-term targetDevelopment of Part II of the Black Sea Contingency Plan (response to pollution from harmful substances) Mid-term targetAdoption of Part II of the Black Sea Contingency Plan (response to pollution from harmful substances)	Part II developed ,agreed and adopted by all BS countries	2-3 years 4 -8 years	Yes	Part II of the Plan finalised and sent to countries for adoptionPart II of the Plan is adopted by all 6 Black Sea Countries	High	Political acceptanceFinancing
(57). Establish an inter-state ministerial mechanism to enable a quick response to major pollution events	National Contingency Plans, covering both vessels and off-shore installations in place and coordinated between the Black Sea Countries		Yes	National authorities/ institutions/stakeholders involved in contingency and emergency situations response identified in all BS Countries The mechanisms for intervention, information exchange, etc. in place National/regional contingency action plan published and operationalScheduled oil spills preparedness and response exercises, including bi-annual DELTA exercises, agreed by countries	High / Medium	FinancingLack of operational equipment
(58). Adopt and enforce relevant international legal instruments for safety navigation, pollution prevention, limitation of liability and compensation Short-term target Cooperate and access relevant international legal instruments for safety navigation, pollution prevention, limitation of liability and compensation (MARPOL, BWM, London Protocol added in glossary etc) Mid-term target Enforce relevant international legal instruments for environmentally safe navigation, pollution prevention, limitation of liability and compensation (MARPOL, BWM, London Protocol etc)	Ratification/accession/ adoption of MARPOL 73/78 (Annexes III, IV&VI) , AFS by all six Black Sea Countries	3 – 5 years5 – 10 years	Yes	Assessment of ratification and effective application and enforcement of relevant legal instrumentsAll 6 Black Sea Countries are parties to the relevant legal instruments and apply an harmonized system of enforcementRatification of legal instrumentsDocumented enforcement of legal instruments	High/ Medium	Political acceptanceFinancing;Inter-institutional cooperation
(59). Improved regulations/ management of dredging/ dumping activities	Reduced transfer of dangerous pollutants into the marine environment by dumpingImproved reporting to the BSC of the dredging operations and deposit sites	5-6 years	Yes	Number of permits for dredging/disposal to the Sea;Number and locations of official deposits for dredged sediments	Medium	No standardised analytical methodologies for analysis of sediments No internationally agreed guidelines for the identification of appropriate dumping sites
Waste management
(60). Provide adequate port reception facilities for ship-generated wastes according to MARPOL 73/78, Annex I, IV, V.	Reduction of illegal discharges of ship-generated waste, including oily mixtures, noxious liquid substances, sewage, garbage and cargo residues into the Black Sea marine environment	3-10 years	Yes	Increased disposal and treatment of ship-generated wastes and cargo residues in full compliance with MARPOL 73/78Management Plans for Ship Generated –Waste and cargo residues published/ implemented in all BS PortsInvestmentsAnnual Report to the BSC on port’s ship waste management3 Years assessment report of the Black Sea State of Environment	High / Medium/	Financing;Low cooperation between authorities and shipping industryLow level of involvement of stakeholders in the decision-making process
(61). Establish a harmonised fee/cost recovery system on ship-generated waste	Reduction of illegal discharges of ship-generated waste	1-3 years	Yes	Regionally harmonised cost recovery/fee system in place.	High / Medium	Political acceptance
Surveillance/Monitoring
(62). Develop systems for the identification of illegal pollution sources from vessels and off-shore installations Mid-term targetSystem for monitoring oil pollutionLong-term targetSystem for monitoring solid waste disposal	Reduced illicit chemical and solid waste discharges	5-10 years for oil pollution10+ years for solid waste	Yes, a change in policy at least	VTOPIS or equivalent systems implemented and operational in all Black Sea countries to support national Governments in surveillance of vessels traffic and in reducing/eliminating the pollution originating from vessels, including off-shore installationsSystem operationalSystem operational	Medium	Financing availability Link to remote sensing data sources for real-time monitoring. Radar required to identify source locations, but satellite remote imagery required for the identification of pollutants themselves.Unclear whether flotsam and jetsam can be viewed using satellite remote imageryMay be necessary to use aircraft for marine litter identification , which is likely to be prohibitively expensive.
Economic mechanisms/instruments
(63).. Develop/establish a harmonised enforcement system in cases of illegal discharges from vessels and off-shore installations, including technical means and fines	Infringement of discharge regulations as well as aiding, abetting or inciting an illegal discharge is punishable	3-5 years	Yes	A harmonised system of penalties established and enforcedEffective, proportionate and dissuasive	High / Medium	Political acceptance Financing Limited effectiveness of economic incentive mechanismsInter-ministry cooperation needed.
(64). Develop a common system for claims management for pollution damages compensation	Common and effective policy on claims management	1-3 years	Yes Ukraine - CLC 92 Protocol	Common procedures and panel of experts, databases, etc.	Medium	Political acceptanceInter-institutional cooperation needed
(65). Assess the need to develop a legal framework for assessment of the transportation of hazardous wastes in line with Basel Convention	Regional Studies of the movement of Transboundary hazardous waste.Decision on the necessity of development of the Protocol on Hazardous Waste.	3-6 years	Yes, a change in policy at least		Medium / High	Inter-institutional cooperation neededPolitical acceptance