Fisheries in Bulgaria

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DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT B: STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES

FISHERIES

FISHERIES IN BULGARIA

NOTE

This document was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries.

AUTHOR

Irina POPESCU Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies European Parliament E-mail: [email protected]

EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE

Virginija KELMELYTE

LINGUISTIC VERSIONS

Original: EN Translations: BG, DE, FR, IT, PL.

ABOUT THE EDITOR

To contact the Policy Department or to subscribe to its monthly newsletter please write to: [email protected]

Manuscript completed in June 2011. Brussels, © European Parliament, 2011.

This document is available on the Internet at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/studies

DISCLAIMER

The opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament.

Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorized, provided the source is acknowledged and the publisher is given prior notice and sent a copy.

DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT B: STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES

FISHERIES

FISHERIES IN BULGARIA

NOTE

Abstract

This note was requested by the Committee on Fisheries for its Delegation to Bulgaria (14-16 July 2011). The note provides a review of the main characteristics of the Bulgarian fisheries sector, with a focus on issues such as the legal and institutional framework, management measures, catches, fishing fleet, processing industry, trade, employment and fisheries research.

IP/B/PECH/NT/2011-03 June 2011

PE 460.049 EN

Fisheries in Bulgaria

CONTENTS

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 4

LIST OF TABLES 5

LIST OF FIGURES 6

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7

1. INTRODUCTION 11

2. LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 15 2.1. Law 15 2.2. Institutions 16

3. FISHERIES MANAGEMENT MEASURES 19

4. CATCHES 21 4.1. Black Sea fisheries 22 4.2. Inland fisheries 23 4.3. Danube fisheries 24 4.4. Aquaculture 25

5. FISHING FLEET 27 5.1. General characteristics 27 5.2. Fishing gear 28 5.3. Fishing ports 30 5.4. Evolution of the fishing fleet 31

6. PROCESSING, TRADE, EMPLOYMENT 33 6.1. Fish processing 33 6.2. Marketing and trade 34 6.3. Fish consumption 36 6.4. Employment 37 6.5. Associations of producers 38

7. FISHERIES RESEARCH 39

REFERENCES 41

3 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

AFPP BG FISH Association of Fish Products Producers

BFA Bulgarian Fishing Association

CFP Common Fisheries Policy

CITES Convention for the International Trade with Endangered Species

EAMA Executive Agency “Maritime Administration”

EFF European Fisheries Fund

FAA Fisheries and Aquaculture Act

FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations

FPAR Association of Fish Producers, Ruse

FPAVT Association of Fish Producers, Veliko Tarnovo

FPAY Association of Fish Producers, Yambol

MAF Ministry of Agriculture and Food

NAFA National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture

naRiba National Association of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Bulgaria

NFD National Forestry Department

NIFASS National Information Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics System

NSPFA National Strategic Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture

NVS National Veterinary Service

OP Operational Programme

TAC Total Allowable Catches

UNCLOS UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

VMS Vessels Monitoring System

4 Fisheries in Bulgaria

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Key data 7

Table 2: Methods and spread of Bulgarian jurisdictions in the Black Sea (km2) 13

Table 3: Black Sea catches in 2005 22

Table 4: Catches in inland waters in 2005 23

Table 5: Danube River catches in 2005 24

Table 6: Aquaculture production of fish for consumption in 2005 26

Table 7: Characteristics of the average fishing vessel in Bulgaria, 2011 27

Table 8: Main fishing gear used by the Bulgarian fleet, 2011 28

Table 9: Fishing gear used by the Bulgarian fleet (main gear - subsidiary gear), 2011 29

Table 10: The main fishing ports in Bulgaria, 2011 30

Table 11: Employees in the fisheries sector in Bulgaria 37

5 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Bulgaria and its location in the EU 11

Figure 2: Bulgaria: districts and statistical regions 12

Figure 3: Maritime jurisdictions in the western Black Sea: Bulgaria and Romania 13

Figure 4: Fish production in Bulgaria, 2005 21

Figure 5: Black Sea catches in 2005 23

Figure 6: Aquaculture production in Bulgaria, 2007 25

Figure 7: The Bulgarian fishing fleet by length category, 2011 27

Figure 8: Location of the main fishing ports in Bulgaria. The participation to the total gross tonnage is indicated 31

Figure 9: Evolution of the Bulgarian fishing fleet in terms of number of vessels, gross tonnage and engine power, 2007-2011 32

Figure 10: Evolution of the average parameters of the Bulgarian fishing fleet (gross tonnage/vessel and engine power/vessel), 2007-2011 32

Figure 11: Estimated added value by fisheries sub-sector in Bulgaria, 2007 33

Figure 12: Employment in the fisheries sector in Bulgaria 38

6 Fisheries in Bulgaria

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Bulgaria is a south-east European country with a 378 km coastline on the Black Sea. The main cities on the Black Sea coast are Varna and Burgas, which are among the most populous cities in Bulgaria. Bulgaria is a member of the European Union since 1 January 2007. The Bulgarian fisheries policy is thus covered by the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture, established within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, is the executive body of the central administration for implementation of the national policy on fishery and aquaculture and for application of the fisheries legislation in Bulgaria.

Fisheries management includes a Total Allowable Catches system for turbot and sprat, as well as other measures such as effort regulation, closed seasons, restocking, closed areas and gear restrictions.

Overall fish production in Bulgaria relies on commercial fishing (ca. 86% of the total production) and aquaculture (ca. 14%). The total fish and aquaculture production was 227 788 tonnes in 2005.

Commercial catches come from the marine fishing sub-sector (in the Black Sea) and from the inland fishing sub-sector (in the River Danube, in other rivers and in lakes both natural and artificial).

 The catches in the Black Sea (17 620 tonnes in 2005) account for ca. 90% of the commercial fisheries. The sea snail Rapana accounts for 47.7 % of the total Black Sea catches. The remaining 53.3% concern different fish species, most of which is represented by sprat (40.9% of the total catches). The most valuable Black Sea fish species are turbot, picked dogfish, bonito, bluefish, mullet, sturgeons and Pontic shad.  Inland waters fish catches account for about 10.3% of the commercial fishing production and include Danube River catches (ca. 1.8%) and catches in other inland reservoirs (ca. 8.5 %). For the Danube fisheries, with catches of 360.82 tonnes in 2005, the most common species are: European catfish, Danube bream, barbel, common carp, crucian carp, common rudd, herbivorous species, as well as anadromous species – sturgeons and Danube shad. Sturgeon species include beluga, Russian sturgeon, starry sturgeon, as well as the non-migratory Danube sterlet. The most important species for fishing in other inland water basins (1663.86 tonnes in 2005) are: common carp, crucian carp, silver carp and bighead carp, grass carp, black carp, bream, European catfish and pike-perch. The common carp has by far the most significant contribution (ca. 43% of the volume of the catches).

Table 1: Key data

Area 111 001.9 km2 Population 7 351 234 (at 1/02/2011)

Flag Capital Sofia Coastline (Black Sea) 378 km Source: Diverse

7 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

The total aquaculture production has increased during the last decade, and reached 3143 tonnes in 2005. There are two aquaculture sub-sectors in Bulgaria: freshwater fish farming (in warm or cold water) and marine aquaculture farming.

 Freshwater fish farming accounts for almost 95% of the Bulgarian aquaculture. The main aquaculture fish species in Bulgaria are the rainbow trout (36.6% of the total aquaculture production in 2005), and the common carp (29.5%).  Marine aquaculture facilities include Black Sea mussel farms and farms for production of kelp algae. The main species in marine aquaculture is the Black Sea mussel. The mussel production was 170.59 tonnes in 2005, i.e. 5.4% of the total aquaculture production in Bulgaria.

In May 2011, the Bulgarian fishing fleet in the Black Sea comprises 2332 vessels with a total capacity of 7910 GT and 63 163 kW. Small vessels (<12 m long) commonly using passive gears represent the bulk of the fleet (95% of the number of vessels). Vessels longer than 24 m account for only 0.7% of the number of vessels but cover 24% of the total gross tonnage.

Most Bulgarian vessels (ca. 97%) use fixed fishing gear. Trawlers represent ca. 3% of the vessels, 38% of the total gross tonnage and 17% of the total engine power, with all parameters significantly increasing since 2007. Vessels use either demersal gear (48%) or a combination of pelagic and demersal (52%), with vessels from the latter category showing a higher capacity. The vast majority of vessels use set gillnets - 83.6%. Nevertheless, high capacity vessels use mostly midwater otter trawls (ca. 38% of the total gross tonnage). Vertical lines are also common (10.5% of the vessels), whereas pots are used by 2.1% of the vessels. Less than 1% of the vessels use driftnets, hand lines, set longlines or beach seines.

More than half of the fishing vessels (55.8%) are considered to be specialised. This category is dominated by vessels equipped with set gillnets (44.7%). The non-specialised vessels (41.1%) declare several types of gear and represent ca. 65% of the gross tonnage of the Bulgarian fishing fleet. The most common main gear - subsidiary gear combination is by far set gillnets - vertical lines (21.4% of the vessels). High capacity vessels normally use midwater otter trawls - vertical lines (20.6% of the total gross tonnage).

The main Bulgarian fishing port is Varna, both in terms of number of vessels (24.7%) and of fleet capacity (34.1% of the total gross tonnage and 27.4% of the total engine power). Burgas is the second Bulgarian fishing port, with 13.2% of the vessels, but, as their individual capacity is higher, it almost equals Varna as regards gross tonnage (31.6%). Other important ports are Nessebar, Sozopol and Tsarevo on the southern Black Sea coast, each of which hosts ca. 9% of the fishing fleet.

It is estimated that all fisheries activities (including processing) contribute an added value of about €14.3 million to the Bulgarian economy, which is approximately 0.14% of the GDP Imports exceed exports and the fish processing industry depends on imported raw material. However, over the past three years there has been a gradual increase in exports of fisheries and aquaculture products.

8 Fisheries in Bulgaria

Total exports of fisheries and aquaculture products amounted to 6381.5 tonnes in 2008, with exports to the EU accounting for 55% of the total exports. The main characteristic of the Bulgarian fisheries exports is the limited range of products. Exports of molluscs occupied the largest share in total exports of fish and fishery products (ca. 46%). The main product was the sea snail Rapana caught along the Black Sea coast and usually exported prepared (boiled and frozen). Molluscs were mainly exported to Turkey, Macedonia, Republic of Korea, Japan and Greece. Frozen fish was the second significant export item (about 33% of total exports of fish). Most of the frozen fish exports (especially sprat) go to Romania (about 90% of the total exports of frozen fish), whereas limited quantities are exported to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany.

Total imports of fishery products in Bulgaria reached 29 249 tonnes in 2008. Trade with EU countries increased significantly over the past years, however, imports of fish and fishery products from third countries remain essential. Traditionally, frozen fish forms the largest share in total imports of fish and fishery products to Bulgaria – about 67% in 2008. The main suppliers were Canada, Peru, Spain and the United States. In 2008 about 77% of the fish imported was frozen mackerel. Imports of fresh or chilled fish are in smaller quantities and come from Greece, the Netherlands, Spain, Estonia and Italy. They mainly include trout, Pacific salmon, sardines and sea bass. Imports of fillets and other fish meat are increasing, despite higher import prices (mainly frozen fillets of salmon, shark, tuna, cod and hake).

The Bulgarian fisheries sector, including fish processing, provides a relatively limited contribution to employment at national level (0.38% of the national workforce). Nevertheless, it provides vital employment at regional level, especially in some coastal zones, where it makes a significant contribution to the local economies (e.g. Primorsko in the district of Bourgas - 16.6% of jobs in fishing, and Byala in the district of Varna - 11.9%). There were about 12 260 employees in the fisheries sector in 2003, of which 16% were women.

Several institutes and universities are involved with fisheries research in Bulgaria. The Institute of Fish Resources and the Institute of Oceanology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (both of them located in Varna) undertake scientific research activities and give recommendations for sustainable exploitation of fish and other aquatic resources in the Black Sea. Research on the dynamics of fish populations in inland waters is carried out at the Institute of Zoology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, in the Department of Biology of the Sofia University, as well as in the Central Laboratory of Ecology in Sofia. The Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Plovdiv is mainly engaged in scientific and research activity in aquaculture, and especially in the development of technologies for breeding commercially important species, as well as in the production of raw material from productive species.

9 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

10 Fisheries in Bulgaria

1. INTRODUCTION

Bulgaria (България), officially the Republic of Bulgaria, is located in south-eastern Europe. It has been a member of the European Union since 1 January 2007. Bulgaria borders Turkey and Greece to the south, Macedonia and Serbia to the west and Romania to the north, and has a coastline on the Black Sea to the east (Figure 1).

Bulgaria has a territory of 111 001.9 km2 and a population of ca. 7.35 million inhabitants1. The population density is 68.2 inhabitants per km2, with about 73% of the population living in urban areas. The main cities on the Black Sea coast are Varna and Burgas, the 3rd and 4th most populous cities in Bulgaria. More than 1 million people inhabit the coastal districts Burgas, Varna and Dobrich2. Moreover, the coastal region is an important center of tourism during the summer season, constituting one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.

The Bulgarian coastline is 378 km long. The Balkan Mountains reach the Black Sea at Cape Emine (north of Nessebar), dividing the coastline into a northern part dominated by rocky headlands, and a southern part with wide sandy beaches. The continental shelf adjacent to the Bulgarian coast is ca. 40 km wide, with the shelf break located at -100 m depth. Below ca. 150 m depth, there is a permanent lack of oxygen (anoxia) which results in deep Black Sea waters and sea bottom being virtually lifeless3.

Figure 1: Bulgaria and its location in the EU

Source: Wikiatlas

1 7 351 234 at 1/02/2011 (Source: National Institute of Statistics, Bulgaria). 2 1 083 776 at 31/12/2010 (Source: National Institute of Statistics, Bulgaria). 3 See Popescu (2010) for a description of the Black Sea oceanography and ecosystems. 11 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

Bulgaria is a Parliamentary Republic in which the President is head of state. The president is elected directly by the voters every five years, for not more that two mandates4. The National Assembly (Народно събрание/Narodno Sabranie) exercises the legislative power. The National Assembly is unicameral and consists of 240 MPs, elected directly for a 4 year term on the basis of the proportional system. The National Assembly elects temporary and permanent commissions. It adopts laws, decisions, declarations and statements. The Government (Council of Ministers) is the main body of the executive power, headed by the Prime Minister5. The Council of Ministers rules and conducts the internal and foreign policy of the state, secures the public order and the national security, exercises control over the public administration and the military forces. The Prime Minister to be is nominated by the largest parliamentary group, after which the President hands in the mandate to him for forming the government. The proposed Council of Ministers is voted by the National Assembly, which controls directly the activity of the government.

Bulgaria's capital city is Sofia, which is also the largest city in the country, with a population of ca. 1.16 million. Bulgaria is a unitary state, currently divided into 28 districts (области/oblasti) and 264 municipalities (община/obshtina); it also has 6 statistical regions (Figure 2). The municipality, ruled by a mayor, is the basic administrative territorial unit for local governance. The policy of every municipality is determined by the Municipality Council and includes economic development, environmental policy, educational and cultural activities. The district is a bigger administrative territorial unit. Through it the governmental local policy is conducted in a decentralized way. A regional governor, assigned by the Council of Ministers, rules each region.

Figure 2: Bulgaria: districts and statistical regions

Source: Ministry of Regional Development

4 Georgi Parvanov since 22 January 2002 5 Boyko Borisov since 27 July 2009 12 Fisheries in Bulgaria

Table 2: Methods and spread of Bulgarian jurisdictions in the Black Sea (km2)

Internal waters 1 460 Territorial sea 3 776 Exclusive economic zone 29 052 Total 34 288

Source: Suárez de Vivero (2010)

In the Black Sea, all the waters are under the jurisdiction of the coastal states and there are no high seas. The main forms of national jurisdiction of the Black Sea maritime space, as defined by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982, are: internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous waters and exclusive economic zone (Table 2). Bulgaria has signed and ratified UNCLOS on 15 May 1996. It has jurisdiction over ca. 34 288 km2 of water, representing 6.8% of all maritime jurisdictions in the Black Sea. Bulgaria signed an agreement for the delimitation of its jurisdictional waters with Turkey in 1997, and has a theoretical boundary with Romania (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Maritime jurisdictions in the western Black Sea: Bulgaria and Romania

EU coastal states

Inland waters

Territorial sea Exclusive economic zone Agreed boundary

Source: Modified after Suárez de Vivero (2010)

13 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

14 Fisheries in Bulgaria

2. LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

2.1. Law

Bulgarian fisheries policy sits within the context of EU and international fisheries agreements. The international framework is provided by the UNCLOS (1982), FAO Conference Resolution 15/93 and the UN agreement of 1995 (Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks). The country also fulfils the commitments of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries 4/95 as well as the Convention for the International Trade with Endangered Species (CITES).

Bulgaria has undertaken certain commitments in the pre-accession negotiation period, that defined the priorities for the fisheries sector for adoption of the Bulgarian legislation in conformity with the Community legislation (Acquis communautaire) as well as harmonization with the requirements of the EU internal market, for the implementation of Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) of the EU and the statistical methods of EUROSTAT. The country basically accepted and met all the requirements of the Chapter 8 “Fisheries”. Since 1 January 2007, when Bulgaria joined the EU, the Bulgarian fisheries policy and management come under the umbrella of the CFP.

The main fisheries law in Bulgaria is the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (FAA), adopted in 2001. The FAA provides the legal foundation for the management, exploitation and conservation of fish resources and for the commercialization of fish and other aquatic organisms. The FAA also regulates the liabilities for the overall management of the fishery sector, defines the obligations of NAFA, specifies the restrictions on controlling the fishing and angling by means of a system of licenses, as well as through the requirement for registration of aquaculture producers.

Several amendments of the FAA were adopted in November 2005. The amendments introduced the basic principles of the European legislation regarding the registration of the first sale of fish, the rules for the recognition of organisations that produce fish and other aquatic organisms and inter-branch organizations. The following secondary legislative acts for the implementation of the CFP have been adopted:

 Ordinance 43/2006 on the rules and procedure of keeping the fishing logbook and issue and submission of landing declaration (SG 41/2006);  Ordinance 4/2006 on the rules and procedure for first sale of fish and other aquatic organisms (SG 14/2006);  Ordinance 7/2006 on the rules and procedure of use, maintenance and keeping of the system for monitoring and control of the fishing vessels, introducing the requirements of EC Regulation 2244/2003, and establishing detailed rules regarding the Fishing Vessels Monitoring System (SG 15/2006);  Ordinance 54/2006 on the content and procedure of keeping the registers under Article 16 from Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, which introduces the provisions of EC Regulation 26/2004 (SG 45/2006);  Ordinance 41/2006 on the rules and procedure for recognition of organizations, which produce fish and other aquatic organisms (SG 40/2006).

15 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

With the adoption of these ordinances, the Bulgarian legislation is fully harmonized with the Acquis Communautaire in the area of fisheries.

2.2. Institutions

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) is the state institution responsible for the fisheries sector in Bulgaria. In accordance with FAA, the MAF has the power to regulate all administrative and organisation procedures. All types of regimes - licensing, permitting and registration regimes in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the other activities and procedures are under the MAF jurisdiction. The MAF has the power to regulate the rights, obligations and functions of governmental bodies responsible for the implementation of the FAA.

The National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture (NAFA), which was established within the MAF, is the executive body of the central administration for implementation of the national policy on fishery and aquaculture and for application of the FAA. NAFA is a legal entity funded by government budget allocations, with a Sofia-based head office, supported by 27 Regional Fisheries Inspectorates responsible for field monitoring and control activities in place. NAFA’s administration numbers 350 employees, most of which are fisheries surveillance inspectors from the Regional Fisheries Inspectorates. The activities and structure of NAFA are laid down by procedural rules adopted by the Council of Ministers. The Agency applies the fisheries legislation and coordinates the development of fisheries and aquaculture, the management and control of fish resources, the license and registration regimes of fishing and fish-breeding activities, and control of the rules governing recreational fishery. The main tasks of NAFA are:

 To draft development strategies for fishing, aquaculture and processing, according to the Government’s economic policies;  To manage the structural policies in the field of fishing and aquaculture;  To regulate the specific legal framework;  To ensure fisheries control and surveillance.

NAFA organises the licensing system for fishing and issues all fishing licenses for commercial fishing and permits for angling. It also organises registration systems for aquaculture producers, as well as for the other activities subject to registration. NAFA has to implement and maintain the satellite-based fishing Vessels Monitoring System (VMS).

NAFA is also the main fisheries surveillance administrative body and it organises the control system for fishing activities jointly with the National Forestry Department (of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry), the Directorate general “Border Police” (of the Ministry of Interiors) and some other administrations.

The Agency maintains a National Information Fisheries and Aquaculture Statistics System (NIFASS). The statistical data are processed, summarized, analyzed and kept as:

 Register of commercial fishing licenses issued;  Register of angling permits issued;  Register of aquaculture farms;

16 Fisheries in Bulgaria

 Fishing Vessels Register (jointly with the Executive Agency “Maritime Administration“);  Register of centres for first sale of fish;  Register of fish buyers registered in accordance with FAA;  Register of recognized fish producers’ organizations (POs) and inter-branch organizations in the sector recognized by the MAF;  Register of fishing rights for permissions issued for research purposes; administrative-penalty activity, enforced under FAA provisions; production of fish and other aquatic organisms; catch of fish and other aquatic organisms.

NAFA is both the secretariat and the operational coordinator of the National Strategic Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture (NSPFA) and Operational Programme (OP), to coordinate the participation of Bulgaria in the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). NAFA is the Managing Authority of the EFF through a specific Managing Unit established in its central administration. The Paying Agency within State Fund "Agriculture" is the body that implements EFF financing.

The MAF and the Ministry of Environment and Waters exercise the control on the preservation of the biological diversity of fish resources. The Ministry of Environment and Waters issues the relevant licenses for use of water basins for inland water bodies, as well as for the Black Sea.

The National Veterinary Service (NVS) within MAF is the government administration with the power to control all fishing and aquaculture activities, enterprises and facilities related to the sanitary requirements and standards. NVS organises the state veterinary monitoring and control system in fish processing enterprises, registers aquaculture production sites (aquaculture farms), organises the national system of fish disease control, treatment and prophylaxes, and issues veterinary certificates to fish and aquaculture production for selling to all markets, for transportation, processing, import and export. NVS central and regional veterinary laboratories monitor and control all aspect of veterinary, sanitary and safety status of fish/aquaculture production.

The National Veterinary Institute for Research and Diagnostic Activity is within the structure of the NVS. The institute has specific responsibilities and obligations in the field of veterinary and sanitary control in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, and includes a laboratory specialized in monitoring fish diseases.

The National Forestry Department (NFD) within MAF is a state administration with the functions and authority to organise and control activities in the field of hunting and angling in accordance with the Forestry Act, the Hunting Act and the FAA. NFD is working jointly with NAFA to organise and control angling, to issue angling permits etc.

The Executive Agency “Maritime Administration” (EAMA) within the Ministry of Transport is a state authority which registers and controls the civil fleet. EAMA is responsible for the Vessels' Register and, jointly with NAFA, for the Fishing Fleet Register.

17 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

18 Fisheries in Bulgaria

3. FISHERIES MANAGEMENT MEASURES

The basic conditions for fisheries management in Bulgaria are determined by the CFP. Central in this overall framework are the Total Allowable Catches (TACs). In 2008, for the first time, TAC for sprat and turbot in Bulgarian waters were set. In 2008 and 2009, the catch limit for turbot was set at 50 tonnes, in 2010 at 48 tonnes (after an initial Commission proposal of 38 tonnes) and in 2011 at 43.2 tonnes. The TAC for sprat was 15 000 tonnes in 2008, and 12 750 tonnes in 2009 and 2010 (to be fished only by vessels flying the flag of Bulgaria and Romania). In 2011 the Bulgarian TAC for sprat was set at 8032.5 tonnes. The technical measures accompanying the quantitative restrictions for the turbot fishery consist of a fishing ban from 15 April to 15 June, a minimum landing size of 45 cm, and the use of a 400 mm minimum legal mesh size for bottom-set nets.

Various management strategies have been formulated in Bulgaria to control fishing effort and promote rehabilitation and conservation of aquatic resources and ecosystems. These measures include (FAO, 2002):

 Direct limitation of fishing effort through registration of fishers and licensing of fishing gear and fishing vessels;  Closed seasons to ensure reproduction and survival of juveniles, i.e for winter and spring reproduction of trout and other cold water species (1 October to 31 January) as well as beluga and grayling (Thymallus thymallus) (1 January to 31 March), and for spring and summer reproduction of carp, catfish and other warm water species (15 April–31 May). For Danube fisheries, there is a 30 to 60 days closure in compliance with the international agreements on sturgeon species and pontic shad. For the Black Sea turbot, closure starts at 15 April and applies for 45 to 60 days;  Rehabilitation of resources through establishment of artificial reefs outside mussel facilities (pending on the Bulgarian Black Sea shelf);  Restocking of the Danube River and inland water bodies with sturgeon and cyprinid juveniles, which have been developing since 1998;  Controls on size and power of fishing vessels (through the FAA, the EU-supported Fishing Vessel Register Data project, the fishing vessel management scheme, and controls on size and power of fishing vessels in line with the EU CFP);  Closed fishing areas and restriction of some gears (bottom trawling and dredging);  Establishment of management zones through a licensing scheme: Fishing Zone 1 from the coastline to 3 miles, and Fishing Zone 2 from 3 miles to the EEZ limit. The two management zones attempt to provide equitable allocation of resources and to reduce conflict between traditional and commercial fishermen.

Crayfish and sea mammal fishing is prohibited. By-caught sea mammals should be immediately released to the sea. Where the populations of certain fish and other aquatic species have been endangered by overfishing, the Environment Minister may ban fishing until their populations are restored. Explosives, poisons and narcotics, electrical fishing, bottom trawls, dredges, firearms and harpoons are banned as destructive to the environment and fisheries resources.

19 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

Commercial fishing may be carried out by Bulgarian citizens and legal entities that have been granted a commercial fishing license. Foreign vessels can be allowed to carry out commercial fishing in national waters. There is no Individual Transferable Quota system in Bulgaria.

20 Fisheries in Bulgaria

4. CATCHES

Overall fish production in Bulgaria relies on commercial fishing (ca. 86% of the total production) and aquaculture (ca. 14%; Figure 4A). The total fish and aquaculture production was 227 788 tonnes in 2005 (MAF-NSPFA 2007-2013).

Commercial fishing is composed of the marine fishing sub-sector (in the Black Sea) and the inland fishing sub-sector (in the River Danube, in other rivers and in lakes both natural and artificial).

 The catches in the Black Sea account for ca. 90% of the commercial fisheries (i.e. excluding aquaculture; Figure 4B). The sea snail Rapana accounts for 47.7 % of the total Black Sea catches. The remaining 53.3% concern different fish species, most of which is represented by sprat (40.9% of the total catches).  Inland waters fish catches account for about 10.3% of the commercial fishing production and include Danube River catches (ca. 1.8%) and catches in other inland reservoirs (ca. 8.5 %).

Aquaculture production also comprises two distinctive sub-sectors: fresh water fish farming and marine farming of mussels and algae. Aquaculture of freshwater fish species (trout, carp, grass carp, bighead carp, catfish, pike) produces about five times more than freshwater commercial fishing. Marine aquaculture of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) produces about 3.5 times more than the commercial catch of these molluscs (EC study, 2011).

 Freshwater fish farming is traditionally a well-developed sector but production restructuration is necessary, as well as of introducing new high value species with good market perspectives.  Marine aquaculture consists only of molluscs farming and it accounts for less than 1.0 % of the total production. There are no marine fish farms yet in the country in spite of the good experience from the past. Marine aquaculture has good perspectives for future development and needs special measures of support (MAF- NSPFA 2007-2013).

Figure 4: Fish production in Bulgaria, 2005

14% 8% 2% 7% 2%

77% 90% Black Sea fishing Danube River fishing Black Sea fishing A. Inland waters fishing B. Danube River fishing Aquaculture production Inland waters fishing

Source: MAF-NSPFA 2007-2013

21 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

4.1. Black Sea fisheries

The total catches from commercial fishing in Black Sea have significantly decreased after the collapse of the Black Sea fish stocks at the end of the 1980s6.

The marine catches in 2005 reached a total of 17 620 t, the most important species being the sea snail Rapana (47.7%) and sprat (40.9%). For the other species the total share is under 12% (Table 3; Figure 5). The dynamics of the catches of the most important species in the Bulgarian Black Sea shelf zone indicates a decrease in comparison with the previous years. The only species with sustainable stocks are sprat and the sea snail Rapana.

The sprat catches are important for the processing industry, with a wide range of products (salted, marinated, canned). The sea snail Rapana is the main export-oriented product of the Bulgarian Black Sea catches, which makes it a very attractive product. In addition, the preparation of the product is a driver for employment as it involves many workers and processing facilities.

The most valuable Black Sea fish species are turbot, picked dogfish, bonito, bluefish, mullet, sturgeons and Pontic shad. The turbot fishery (Psetta maxima) is now subject to TACs, as this species needs to be protected. The stock of Black Sea sturgeons decreased dramatically during the last two decades. Stock recovery and conservation of sturgeon species, especially beluga, needs to be supported by a moratorium for the whole Black Sea area. Bulgaria applied a ban on sturgeon fishing in the Black Sea in 2008, and in May 2011, Bulgarian sturgeon catching in the Danube was banned for the first time. The one-year ban is a prelude to a five-year ban which is scheduled to start in 20127.

Table 3: Black Sea catches in 2005

SPECIES CATCHES (t) CATCHES (%)

Sprat (Sprattus sprattus) 7200 40,9%

Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) 60 0,3%

Horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) 80 0,5%

Pontic shad (Alosa pontica) 80 0,5%

Gobies (Gobiidae) 120 0,7%

Bonito (Sarda sarda) 1100 6,2%

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) 350 2,0%

Turbot (Psetta maxima) 20 0,1%

Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) 50 0,3%

Sea snail (Rapana venosa) 8400 47,7%

Other species 160 0,9%

Total 17620 100% Source: NAFA

6 See Popescu (2010) for a presentation of the evolution of the Black Sea fisheries. 7 Romania also adopted a 10 year sturgeon fish ban in the Danube which came into force in April 2006. 22 Fisheries in Bulgaria

Figure 5: Black Sea catches in 2005:

Sprat 0,9% Anchovy Horse mackerel 40,9% Pontic shad 47,7% Gobies Bonito Bluefish Turbot Black mussel 0,3% 0,3% 6,2% 2,0% 0,5% Sea snail Rapana 0,1% 0,5% 0,7% Other species

Data source: NAFA

4.2. Inland fisheries

For the last few years the catches from commercial fishing in inland water basins have varied between 1500-2000 tonnes per year. The catches in 2005 were 1 663.86 tonnes, which was ca. 7.3% of the total fish production. Mainly small-scale fishing boats, operating in dammed artificial reservoirs and in some natural lakes, carry out commercial fishing in inland waters.

Table 4: Catches in inland waters in 2005

SPECIES CATCHES (t) CATCHES (%)

Trout species 18,57 1,1%

Carp species 277,62 16,7%

Common carp 716,4 43,1%

Herbivorous species 561,86 33,8%

Pike 9,31 0,6%

European catfish 40,8 2,5%

Channel (American) catfish 7,16 0,4%

Perch species 27,52 1,7%

Russian sturgeon 0,25 0,0%

Crayfish 4,16 0,3%

Other species 0,21 0,0%

Total 1663,86 100%

Source: NAFA

23 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

The most important species for fishing in inland water basins are the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), crucian carp (Carassius sp.), silver carp and bighead carp (Aristhichthys nobilis, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), grass carp (Ctenopharingodon idella), black carp (Mylopharingodon piceus), bream (Abramis brama), European catfish (Sillurus glanis) and pike-perch (Sander lucioperca). The common carp has by far the most significant contribution (ca. 43% of the volume of the catches). The catches by groups of species in 2005 are shown in Table 4.

Although small and medium-sized dammed lakes are at the moment treated in the legislation as sites for commercial fishing, many of them partly function as system breeding farms for fattening fish for consumption. The fishing boats in these lakes are actually used in the fish breeding technological process. For the big dams where zones for commercial fishing still exist, these zones tend to be gradually abandoned in favour of angling, aquaculture or other activities, such as fishing tourism and eco-tourism.

4.3. Danube fisheries

The annual Danube catches during the last few years have varied between 250-500 tonnes, with 360.82 tonnes of fish in 2005. Table 5 shows the catches by species in 2005. The species commonly fished are: European catfish (Sillurus glanis), Danube bream (Abramis brama), barbel (Barbus barbus), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), crucian carp (Carassius sp.), common rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), herbivorous species, as well as anadromous species – sturgeons and Danube shad (Alosa pontica). Sturgeon species include beluga (Huso huso), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti), starry sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus), as well as the non-migratory Danube sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus).

Table 5: Danube River catches in 2005

SPECIES CATCHES (t) CATCHES (%)

Danube sterlet 4,8 1,3%

Beluga 13,21 3,7%

Starry sturgeon 0,65 0,2%

Russion sturgeon 0,26 0,1%

Pike 10,49 2,9%

Common carp 19,46 5,4%

Other carp species 180,92 50,1%

Herbivorous species 58,05 16,1%

Catfish 27,71 7,7%

Pike-perch 14,1 3,9%

Pontic shad 15,98 4,4%

Other species 15,19 4,2%

Total 360,82 100%

Source: NAFA

24 Fisheries in Bulgaria

The populations of the most valuable Danube species are not stable, so the catches cannot be planned beforehand. Some of the sturgeons, such as the ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) and the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), do not exist anymore in the river. The populations of other sturgeon species and especially the populations of beluga are in steady decrease and need special protection measures.

4.4. Aquaculture

Figure 6: Aquaculture production in Bulgaria, 2007

Source: EC study (2011)

Freshwater aquaculture

Freshwater fish farming accounts for ca. 95% of the Bulgarian aquaculture (Figure 6). The total water area used for fish farming is about 9 178 ha. Production of fish for consumption in non-complete system farms for fattening is predominant (ca. 60% of the total number of fish farms). Traditionally, intensive and semi-intensive production systems are used.

The main aquaculture fish species in Bulgaria are the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - 36.6% of the total aquaculture production in 2005, and the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) - 29.5%. Poly-cultures dominate the semi-intensive aquaculture in Bulgaria (such as common carp, grass carp, silver carp and bighead carp), whereas super-intensive aquaculture in net cages mainly concerns rainbow trout monocultures.

Aquaculture production is mainly directed to the internal market (with almost 100% of the carp production being marketed in Bulgaria). The frozen fish products form the major part of the exported products.

The main warm-water aquaculture species are the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), silver carp (Aristhichthys nobilis), grass carp (Ctenopharingodon idella), black carp (Mylopharingodon piceus), bufalo species (Ictiobus spp.) and tench (Tinca tinca). There is an increasing importance of the European catfish (Sillurus glanis), American catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) and pike (Esox lucius), as products of warm-water aquaculture. Successful tests for introducing

25 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

and breeding the eel (Anguilla anguilla) have been made. Crayfish (Astacus astacus) is also a warm-water aquaculture species. The production from warm-water farms was 1813 t in 2005, which represented ca. 48% of the total aquaculture production in the country (Table 6).

The sturgeon species are positioned in between warm and cold-water aquaculture farms as regards the temperature requirements. The main sturgeon species for aquaculture are the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti), Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) and some of their hybrids, beluga (Huso huso) and the Danube sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus). The production of sturgeons is the fastest growing sub-sector in aquaculture during the last decade.

The main cold-water aquaculture species in Bulgaria are the trout species: rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Balkan trout (Salmo trutta fario) and Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Trout production requires high quality and well-balanced granulated fodder (which Bulgaria has to import). The production from trout aquaculture farms in 2005 was 1157 tons, which represents ca. 37% of the total aquaculture production in the country (Table 6). Rainbow trout production is concentrated mainly in the mountainous and semi- mountainous regions in the country, where the main systems used are raceways and net cages.

Marine aquaculture

Marine aquaculture facilities include Black Sea mussel farms and farms for production of kelp algae (Cystoseira sp.). With a total of 18 farms in 2005 (16 mussels farms and 2 algae farms) they represented 9% of the number of farms in the country. The main species in marine aquaculture is the Black Sea mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis). The production in 2005 was 170,59 tonnes, i.e. 5.4% of the total aquaculture production in Bulgaria (Table 6). During the last years there was a steady tendency for development of marine aquaculture along the Bulgarian coast. Four new farms for marine aquaculture were registered in 2006.

Table 6: Aquaculture production of fish for consumption in 2005

SPECIES PRODUCTION (t) PRODUCTION (%)

Cold water fish 1156,57 36,8%

Warm water fish 1504,45 47,9%

Sturgeon 306,52 9,8%

Crayfish 2,50 0,1%

Black mussel 170,59 5,4%

Other species 2,00 0,1%

Total 3142,63 100%

Source: NAFA

26 Fisheries in Bulgaria

5. FISHING FLEET

5.1. General characteristics

In May 2011, the Bulgarian fishing fleet in the Black Sea comprises 2332 vessels with a total capacity of 7910 GT and 63 163 kW8. The main features of the average fishing vessel are showed in Table 7.

Table 7: Characteristics of the average fishing vessel in Bulgaria, 2011

Gross tonnage 3.4 tonnes Engine power 27.1 kW Age 17.6 years

Data source: Community Fishing Fleet Register. Processing: J. Iborra Martin

Small vessels (<12 m long) commonly using passive gears represent the bulk of the fleet (95% of the number of vessels, Figure 7). Vessels longer than 24 m account for only 0.7% of the number of vessels but cover 24% of the total gross tonnage.

Most of the fishing vessels are made of fiberglass (47%) and wood (44%). Vessels with a metal hull represent 8% of the number of vessels, but 47% of the total gross tonnage.

Figure 7: The Bulgarian fishing fleet by length category, 2011

90% Vessels 80% Tonnage Power 70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% <4 4-8 8-12 12-16 16-20 20-24 24-28 28-32 32-36 36-40 40-44 Length (m)

Data source: Community Fishing Fleet Register. Processing: J. Iborra Martin

8 All figures indicated in this chapter are for 2011 and concern the Bulgarian fishing fleet in the Black Sea. The fishing fleet along the Danube River consists of ca. 1100 vessels, concentrated mostly in the districts of Silistra, Russe, Vratza and Vidin. Data on the Danube fleet are not included in the Community Fishing Fleet Register.

27 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

5.2. Fishing gear

Most Bulgarian fishing vessels (ca. 97%) use fixed gear. Trawlers represent ca. 3% of the vessels, 38% of the total gross tonnage and 17% of the total engine power, with all parameters significantly increasing since 2007. Vessels use either demersal gear (48%) or a combination of pelagic and demersal (52%), with vessels from the latter category showing a higher capacity (73% of the total gross tonnage and 59% of the total engine power).

The vast majority of vessels use set gillnets - 83.6% (Table 8). Nevertheless, high capacity vessels use mostly midwater otter trawls (ca. 38% of the total gross tonnage). Vertical lines (present on 10.5% of the vessels) represent 7.2% of the total gross tonnage and 9.2% of the total engine power. Pots are also used in Bulgaria by 2.1% of the vessels, whereas less than 1% of the vessels use driftnets, hand lines, set longlines or beach seines.

More than half of the fishing vessels (55.8%) are considered to be specialised (Table 9). This category is dominated by vessels equipped with set gillnets (44.7%). The non- specialised vessels (41.1%) declare several types of gear. They represent ca. 65% of the gross tonnage of the Bulgarian fishing fleet. The most common main gear - subsidiary gear combination is by far set gillnets - vertical lines (21.4% of the vessels), followed by set gillnets - driftnets (ca 8%). High capacity vessels normally use midwater otter trawls - vertical lines (20.6% of the total gross tonnage).

Table 8: Main fishing gear used by the Bulgarian fleet, 2011

CODE GEAR VESSELS TONNAGE POWER

No. % GT % kW %

GNS Set gillnets 1949 83,6% 4013 50,7% 43945 69,6%

OTM Midwater otter trawls 56 2,4% 3025 38,2% 11012 17,4%

LHM Vertical lines 245 10,5% 573 7,2% 5816 9,2%

FPO Pots (traps) 49 2,1% 175 2,2% 1477 2,3%

GND Driftnets 21 0,9% 96 1,2% 714 1,1%

LHP Hand lines 2 0,1% 2 0,0% 5 0,0%

LLS Set longlines 2 0,1% 18 0,2% 170 0,3%

SB Beach seines 8 0,3% 7 0,1% 24 0,0%

TOTAL 2332 100% 7910 100% 63163 100%

Data source: Community Fishing Fleet Register. Processing: J. Iborra Martin

28 Fisheries in Bulgaria

Table 9: Fishing gear used by the Bulgarian fleet (main gear - subsidiary gear)9, 2011

CODE VESSELS TONNAGE POWER

No. % GT % kW %

GNS GNS 1043 44,7% 1906 24,1% 23311 36,9%

LHM LHM 190 8,1% 405 5,1% 4240 6,7%

OTM OTM 5 0,2% 137 1,7% 1216 1,9%

GNS NK 37 1,6% 59 0,7% 842 1,3%

LHM NO 14 0,6% 31 0,4% 404 0,6%

LHM NK 12 0,5% 24 0,3% 257 0,4%

Specialised 1301 55,8% 2562 32,4% 30270 47,9%

GNS LHM 498 21,4% 823 10,4% 9789 15,5%

OTM LHM 15 0,6% 1633 20,6% 3701 5,9%

GNS GND 185 7,9% 426 5,4% 2965 4,7%

GNS LLS 37 1,6% 427 5,4% 3054 4,8%

OTM GNS 25 1,1% 929 11,7% 4510 7,1%

OTM GND 9 0,4% 267 3,4% 1202 1,9%

FPO LHM 39 1,7% 136 1,7% 1228 1,9%

GND GNS 15 0,6% 88 1,1% 625 1,0%

LHM GNS 28 1,2% 111 1,4% 863 1,4%

GNS OTM 3 0,1% 66 0,8% 306 0,5%

GNS LHP 102 4,4% 159 2,0% 2041 3,2%

OTM LHP 2 0,1% 59 0,8% 382 0,6%

Non-specialised 958 41,1% 5124 64,8% 30667 48,6%

Other 73 3,1% 223 2,8% 2225 3,5%

TOTAL 2332 100% 7910 100% 63163 100%

Data source: Community Fishing Fleet Register. Processing: J. Iborra Martin

9 Gear corresponding to each code is indicated in Table 8. NO = no subsidiary gear is indicated.

29 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

5.3. Fishing ports

Twelve Bulgarian fishing ports are currently registered in the Community Fishing Fleet Register, all of them located on the Black Sea coast. At present all Bulgarian fishing ports are state or municipality property. Most of the fleet is concentrated on the southern coast, in the district of Burgas (ca. 57% of the vessels, 56% of the gross tonnage and 61% of the total engine power).

The main Bulgarian fishing port is Varna, both in terms of number of vessels (24.7%) and of fleet capacity (34.1% of the total gross tonnage and 27.4% of the total engine power; see Table 10, Figure 8). Burgas is the second Bulgarian fishing port, with 13.2% of the vessels, but, as their individual capacity is higher, it almost equals Varna as regards gross tonnage (31.6%). Other important ports are Nessebar, Sozopol and Tsarevo on the southern Black Sea coast, each of which hosts ca. 9% of the fishing fleet.

The Bulgarian authorities intend to modernise several fishing ports. The priority will be given to the development of Kavarna (Buna 3), Varna (Kranevo, Bunite), Nessebar, Pomorie, Burgas, Sozopol, Primorsko (Kiten) and Ahtopol (MAF-NSPFA 2007-2013). Modernisation concerns improving harbour equipment and better use of space (ice production, fitting out of sanitary/safe unloading zones, space for transport logistics, etc).

Table 10: The main fishing ports in Bulgaria, 2011

PORT NUTS 3 VESSELS TONNAGE POWER

No. % GT % kW %

BALCHIK DOBRICH 88 3,8% 215 2,7% 1774 2,8%

KAVARNA DOBRICH 114 4,9% 297 3,7% 2330 3,7%

SHABLA DOBRICH 121 5,2% 122 1,5% 1477 2,3%

BYALA VARNA 97 4,2% 141 1,8% 1825 2,9%

VARNA VARNA 577 24,7% 2699 34,1% 17313 27,4%

AHTOPOL BURGAS 100 4,3% 164 2,1% 2969 4,7%

BURGAS BURGAS 307 13,2% 2499 31,6% 12270 19,4%

NESSEBAR BURGAS 205 8,8% 529 6,7% 6020 9,5%

POMORIE BURGAS 156 6,7% 316 4,0% 4490 7,1%

PRIMORSKO BURGAS 164 7,0% 251 3,2% 3758 5,9%

SOZOPOL BURGAS 203 8,7% 379 4,8% 4244 6,7%

TZAREVO BURGAS 200 8,6% 299 3,8% 4691 7,4%

TOTAL 2332 100% 7910 100% 63163 100%

Data source: Community Fishing Fleet Register. Processing: J. Iborra Martin

30 Fisheries in Bulgaria

Figure 8: Location of the main fishing ports in Bulgaria. The participation to the total gross tonnage is indicated.

Data source: Community Fishing Fleet Register. Processing: J. Iborra Martin

5.4. Evolution of the fishing fleet

From 1965 to 1990 Bulgaria headed a large high-seas fleet active in the Atlantic and the south-eastern Pacific (30 high capacity trawlers and 6 transportation vessels), but from the early 1990s these activities were liquidated and the Bulgarian fishing fleet refocused on the Black Sea coastal zone.

Since 2007 there is a general decreasing trend as regards the number of vessels and their overall capacity, mainly due to a sharp decrease in 2010 (Figure 9). The number of vessels decreased more sharply then the fleet capacity, whereas the average gross tonnage/vessel and engine power/vessels increased (Figure 10), which shows that in this time period the adjustment had a greater impact on small boats. Participation of small scale fisheries slightly decreased over this period.

31 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

Figure 9: Evolution of the Bulgarian fishing fleet in terms of number of vessels, gross tonnage and engine power, 2007-2011

110 Vessels GT kW 105

100

95 2007=100

80 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

Data source: Community Fishing Fleet Register. Processing: J. Iborra Martin

Figure 10: Evolution of the average parameters of the Bulgarian fishing fleet (gross tonnage/vessel and engine power/vessel), 2007-2011

120

GT/Vessel kW/Vessel 115

110

105 2007=100

100

90 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

Data source: Community Fishing Fleet Register. Processing: J. Iborra Martin

32 Fisheries in Bulgaria

6. PROCESSING, TRADE, EMPLOYMENT

It is estimated that all fisheries activities (including processing) contribute an added value of about €14.3 million to the Bulgarian economy, which is approximately 0.14% of the GDP (by comparison agriculture contributes about 15%). This is significantly lower than the EU fisheries average of 1.2%. Processing accounts for 69% of added value by the sector (Figure 11; EC study, 2011).

Although the overall picture suggests that the fisheries sector is not of national strategic importance, there are important regional impacts and related activities that are dependent on fisheries. These impacts demand consideration in the policy framework for the agricultural and food sector.

Figure 11: Estimated added value by fisheries sub-sector in Bulgaria, 2007

Data source: EC study (2011), after NAFA, BG FISH

6.1. Fish processing

In 2008 the fish and seafood processing industry in Bulgaria consisted of 45 firms and generated a turnover of €49 million and a total income of €52 million. About half of these processing firms (49%) are quite large, having between 50 and 249 employees (STECF, 2010).

The processing industry is closely related to marine fishing and aquaculture activities. Some of the fish and aquaculture producers have their own processing facilities situated close to the fresh fish production sites, which helps to improve the quality of the final products. All EU requirements in the field of veterinary and sanitary control, quality and safety standards have to be applied by the sector.

Most fish is consumed fresh or chilled. The main fishery products are frozen, with lower quantities of semi-preserved or canned products. During the period 1998-2000, the processed fish quantity fell by 7.1%, primarily due to reduced fish canning. The local market has a limited demand. The ban on export of fish products from Bulgaria to the EU countries contributed to the reduction in fish processing. Recently, the situation of seafood processing has improved (MAF-NSPFA 2007-2013).

33 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

In the Sozopol region, fish processing accounts for about 1.4% of total employment. In Burgas (335 jobs) and Varna (320 jobs) fish processing accounts for about 0.2 to 0.3% of total employment. The total income of employees during 2005 in fish processing was approximately €2150 per year.

The total number of persons employed in fish processing industry in 2005 is 2230. The total number of working processing plants is 26. Most of them are modernized, reconstructed and they export their products to EU countries. The processing of the sea snail Rapana has become a significant activity. Six business establishments are involved, one in Sozopol, two in Burgas, two in Varna, and one in Balchik. These companies receive live Rapana directly from fishermen. Sales revenue for 2005 is estimated at €4 200 000. Most people are involved in Rapana processing, with women representing ca. 70 % of them. Only ca. 70- 75% of those employed in Rapana processing are full-time employees, as most of the workload is seasonal and corresponds to the Rapana fishing season.

6.2. Marketing and trade

The structure of the fish market in the country is still a work in progress. There is a clear necessity for organisation and construction of wholesale fish markets and of a fish distribution network. There are several mountain and other rural regions where distribution of fish and fishery products is quite poor, and therefore fish consumption in these areas is much lower than the average levels.

There is no auction system in Bulgaria. In order to implement the requirements of EU legislation concerning Common Market Organization, Bulgaria intends to establish some points for first sale of fish which to ensure transparency, better control of data and control of quality, as well as better conditions and prices for fishermen.

Inland and marine fish supplies are traded by wholesalers (or by registered buyers in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance on the rules and procedure for first sale of fish and other aquatic organisms), many of whom also trade other food products. These receive fresh fish from coastal wholesalers, frozen sprat from processors and frozen imported fish from importers, and supply the inland retail markets and shops. The volumes of fresh fish are small (perhaps less than 20% of total catches) with sporadic supplies. A small number of Bulgarian fresh fish products and live fish are sold in big supermarket chains.

Export of fish products

The main characteristic of the Bulgarian fisheries exports is the limited range of products. Imports exceed exports and the fish processing industry depends on imported raw material. Nevertheless, over the past three years there has been a gradual increase in exports of fisheries and aquaculture products.

According to data released by the National Statistical Institute and the Customs Agency, in 2008 total exports of aquaculture and fisheries products amounted to 6381.5 tonnes, which is about 1% more than the preceding year (Kissiov, 2010). Exports to the EU accounted for 55% of the total exports (3510.5 tonnes), which was 13% higher than in 2007 and more than double the 2006 amount. Only four Bulgarian companies are currently licensed to export fish and fishery products to EU countries (AFPP BG FISH, online).

34 Fisheries in Bulgaria

The structure of exports in 2008 was 5833 tonnes of fish, crustaceans and molluscs (fresh, chilled, frozen, smoked, salted, fillets) and 418.1 tonnes of fish products – prepared and preserved fish, including caviar, crustaceans and molluscs.

In 2008 exports of molluscs occupied the largest share in total exports of fish and fishery products (2928.3 tonnes i.e. about 46%). Compared to the preceding year, the exports of molluscs (sea snails, mussels, oysters, octopus, squid and other vertebrates) decreased by 2.6% (in quantity), while average export prices grew by 11.9%. In 2008 molluscs were exported to Turkey – 942.7 tonnes, Macedonia – 514 tonnes, Republic of Korea – 501.2 tonnes, Japan – 326.7 tonnes, and Greece – 278 tonnes. The main product was the sea snail Rapana caught at the Black Sea coast and usually exported prepared (boiled and frozen).

Frozen fish was the second significant export item which in 2008 noted an increase of 26% over the preceding year, reaching 2097.9 tonnes (about 33% of total exports of fish). As in earlier years, the most significant exports of frozen fish (mostly sprat) are made to Romania – 1894.3 tonnes (about 90% of the total exports of frozen fish). Some quantities of frozen fish are exported to the United Kingdom – 102.6 tonnes, the Netherlands – 34.1 tonnes, and Germany – 24.8 tonnes.

Import of fish products

According to preliminary data released by the National Statistical Institute, in 2008 total imports of fishery products in Bulgaria increased by 29% over the preceding year reaching 29 249 tonnes (Kissiov, 2010). The relatively high amount of imports supplies the market with a range of fish and sea food that are unavailable domestically and ensures sufficient raw material for fish processing enterprises. There are some changes in the structure of imports of fish and fishery products over the past years. Trade with EU countries increased significantly: from 5162 tonnes of fish and fishery products in 2006 delivered by the EU to 10 234 tonnes in 2008 (98%). However, imports of fish and fishery products from third countries remain essential, although their share in total imports decreased from 82% in 2006 (24 141 tonnes) to 65% in 2008 (19 014 tonnes). In 2008, imports of fish and fishery products from third countries increased over the preceding year by 29.3%. The structure of imports during the year, by product, includes 26 634.10 tonnes of fish, crustaceans and molluscs (fresh, chilled, frozen, smoked, salted, fillets) and 2,614.9 tonnes of fish products – ready meals and tinned fish, eggs, crustaceans and molluscs.

Traditionally, frozen fish forms the largest share in total imports of fish and fishery products to Bulgaria – about 67% in 2008 (19 498.5 tonnes, ca. 25% more than in 2007). From the total imports of frozen fish, imports from third countries are 13 500.1 tonnes, and from the EU – 5598.4 tonnes. The main suppliers are Canada (5890 tonnes), Peru (3563.9 tonnes), and the United States (1990 tonnes). Of the European countries Spain is the biggest supplier (2968.1 tonnes), followed by Estonia (727.3 tonnes) and the Netherlands (526.1 tonnes). There are no catches of mackerel in Bulgaria, so that to satisfy the market both for consumption and for the canning industry this species is imported. In 2008 about 77% of the fish imported was frozen mackerel – 14 957.8 tonnes (27.5% more than in 2007). Canada (5545.1 tonnes), Peru (3536.9 tonnes), Spain (2084.1 tonnes), United States (1745.4 tonnes), Thailand (313 tonnes) are the main supplying nations.

Typically, imports of fresh or chilled fish are in smaller quantities. However, 2008 saw an increase over the preceding year by 24.6% (1,767.7 tonnes). Substantial quantities of fresh or chilled fish were imported from Greece (906.7 tonnes), Netherlands (216.6 tonnes), Spain (128.5 tonnes), Estonia (95.7 tonnes), Italy (76.7 tonnes). By type of fish,

35 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

trout was first – 550 tonnes, Pacific salmon – 306 tonnes, sardines – 146.3 tonnes, and sea bass – 158.2 tonnes. In 2008, imports of fillets and other fish meat increased by 52% compared to 2007 and amounted to 4358.7 tonnes. Of the total imports of fillets, third countries supplied 3404.4 tonnes, and the EU – 954.3 tonnes. Imports of frozen fillets of salmon, shark, tuna, cod and hake predominate. Despite higher import prices, the demand for fish fillets increases because of their ease of use and lower preparation times. In recent years, with the advent of large chain stores, the variety of fish and fishery products has lead to changes in consumer preferences with an increase in the consumption of pre- prepared and pre-cooked products and increasing demand for new semi-finished fish products. As a result, imports of prepared and preserved fish are increasing (Kissiov, 2010).

6.3. Fish consumption

Fish consumption in Bulgaria is traditionally low compared to the levels of consumption in the neighbouring countries. The low level of consumption of fish and fish products has a strong negative impact on fishing and aquaculture production.

Fish consumption reached 6 kg/capita annually in the middle of 1980s. In the 1990s, however, it plummeted to 3 kg/capita. During the last few years there is a tendency of slow increase of fish consumption in Bulgaria. Several reasons have contributed to this evolution: the economic crisis in the early 1990s during the transition to a market economy; the lack of tradition to prepare and eat fish regularly; the seasonal character of the fishing activities due to specific climate conditions in different regions; the lack of a well-organized market infrastructure and the poor promotion of fish products; higher fish price as compared with poultry; high price of imported fish and fish products in comparison with the average income of the population.

Fish demand is increasing and consumer preferences have diversified, with a total production of 40 000–45 000 tonnes available for national consumption. Individual consumption was estimated at 4.6 kg per capita in 2008 (Kissiov, 2010).

It is necessary to improve the quality of market analysis and the provision of market data to identify the real figures for sales of fish and fish products, the structure of the sales and the real consumption. The consumption of fish caught by anglers (legal and illegal catches) has to be included in the data for general fish consumption. At the same time, consumers’ requirements regarding the quality of fish and fish products rises, as well as the market demand for new ready-made fish products.

There exists a trend for slow increase of fish prices (retail and wholesale) on the domestic market. For producers this is a positive factor increasing the effectiveness of fish production, but for consumers it is a negative factor which reduces the demand and the consumption level (MAF-NSPFA 2007-2013).

36 Fisheries in Bulgaria

6.4. Employment

The Bulgarian fisheries sector, including fish processing, provides a relatively limited contribution at national level (0.38% of the national workforce). Nevertheless, it provides vital employment at regional level, especially in some coastal zones, where it makes a significant contribution to the local economies, as they tend to be regionally and locally concentrated. There were about 12 260 employees in the fisheries sector in 2003, of which 16% were women (Table 11; Figure 12).

 Marine fisheries in the Black Sea account for 3430 employees, with some municipalities being relatively highly dependent on the sector.  Fisheries in the interior of the country contribute significantly to the development of the economy at regional level by providing 1620 jobs, mainly along the Danube River.  The aquaculture sector represents the greatest source of employment, with nearly 5000 persons employed, although this may be an overestimate. Nevertheless, the sector is clearly an important source of employment in the rural parts of some regions.  Fish processing, which is the main source of female employment in the sector, accounts for a further 2230 jobs. The greater part of the work in the processing industry (probably up to two thirds) is seasonal. Fisheries dependency ratios in the fisheries sector in Bulgaria is of the same order as the average in the EU (but lower than EU’s most fisheries dependent regions). Fishing and fish processing activities are significant in several Black Sea coastal regions, such as Primorsko (district of Bourgas) - 16.6% of jobs in fishing, and Byala (district of Varna) - 11.9%. Burgas and Varna, with significant numbers of jobs in fishing (677 and 232 respectively) have lower levels of dependency (0.5 and 0.7% respectively). The total income per fisher (with fishing vessel) in 2005 was estimated at €1850.

Table 11: Employees in the fisheries sector in Bulgaria

Employees in the fisheries sector 12260 Women 1962 Women as % 16% Black Sea fisheries 3430 Inland fisheries 1620 Aquaculture 5000 Processing 2230

Source: EC study (2011), after NAFA (2010)

37 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

Figure 12: Employment in the fisheries sector in Bulgaria

18.2% 27.9%

Black Sea fisheries Inland fisheries Aquaculture Processing

13.2% 40.7%

Data source: EC study (2011)

6.5. Associations of producers

There are no Producers’ Organizations in Bulgaria in the sense of the European legislation (Regulation EC 104/2000). Nevertheless, there are several fishermen or fish producers’ associations with a status of NGOs, which could form the basis for Producers’ Organizations (MAF-NSPFA 2007-2013). The main associations of producers are:

 Association of Fish Products Producers - registered and headquarters in Sofia (AFPP BG FISH);  National Association of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Bulgaria – registered and headquarters in Plovdiv (naRiba–BG);  Bulgarian Fishing Association (BFA) – registered and headquarters in Burgas;  Association of Fish Producers, Yambol (FPAY);  Association of Fish Producers, Ruse (FPAR);  Association of Fish Producers, Veliko Tarnovo (FPAVT).

The Bulgarian Federation of Fisheries and Aquaculture was created in 2005, and included in its structure naRiba-BG, FPAY, FPAR and FPAVT.

38 Fisheries in Bulgaria

7. FISHERIES RESEARCH

The Bulgarian scientific research and education centres related to the fisheries sector in the country are:

 Faculty of Biology, Department of Hydrobiology and Ichthyology within the Sofia University „St. Climent Ohridski”, the main structure for high education in the field of fisheries;  Institute of Fish Resources in Varna;  Institute of Oceanology in Varna;

The above institutes are specialized in Black Sea research.

 Institute for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Plovdiv – specialized in aquaculture research;  Institute of Zoology of the Natural Museum in Sofia, Department of Hydrobiology and Ichthyology;  Central Laboratory of Ecology in Sofia;  Trakia University in Stara Zagora;  National Veterinary Institute for Research and Diagnostic Activity within the National Veterinary Service of the MAF.

These research institutes support NAFA activities for organisation and management of the fisheries sector in Bulgaria. NAFA also benefits from organising and/or participating in education and training activities for its administration, for the professional organisations and for people working in the sector.

The Institute of Fish Resources and the Institute of Oceanology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (both of them located in Varna) undertake scientific research activities and give recommendations for the sustainable exploitation of fish and other aquatic resources in the Black Sea.

Research on the dynamics of fish populations in inland waters (in particular commercially important and endangered/protected species in rivers and natural or artificial lakes) is carried out at the Institute of Zoology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, in the Department of Biology of the Sofia University, as well as in the Central Laboratory of Ecology in Sofia.

The Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Plovdiv is mainly engaged in scientific and research activity in aquaculture, and especially in the development of technologies for breeding commercially important species, as well as in the production of raw material from productive species.

The existing scientific organisations are confronted with significant funding problems. Besides, there seems to be insufficient communication between scientific institutes, aquaculture producers and fishermen organizations. These problems can be solved by using the options of the Community financial measures for the implementation of the EC CFP, as well as the public and the private partnerships (MAF-NSPFA 2007-2013).

39 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

40 Fisheries in Bulgaria

REFERENCES

 EC study, 2011. Regional social and economic impacts of change in fisheries-dependent communitites, Case study: Bourgas. Assessment of the status, development and diversification of fisheries-dependent communities, Region: Black Sea coast, North of Bourgas city, 67 pp. http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/studies/regional_social_economic_impacts /bulgaria_en.pdf

 FAO, 2002. Information on fisheries management in the Republic of Bulgaria. http://www.fao.org/fi/oldsite/FCP/en/BGR/body.htm

 Kissiov N., 2010. Aquaculture sector shows strong growth. Eurofish Magazine 6/2010, 21-29. http://www.eurofishmagazine.com/images/issueDLs/EM6-2010.pdf

 MAF NSPFA, 2007-2013 (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture - National Strategic Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2007- 2013). http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/eff/national_plans/list_of_national_strategic_plans/bul garia_en.pdf

 Popescu I., 2010. Fisheries in the Black Sea. European Parliament, Brussels, 69 pp. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/studies/download.do?language=e n&file=34631

 STECF, 2010. Report of the Working Group on the evaluation of data collected on the fish processing sector (SGECA 10-04), Joint Working Group on Economic Affairs (SGECA) of the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), R. Doring and J. Guillen (Editors), 309 pp. http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/111111111/15411/1/stecf%2 0sgeca%2010%2004%20fish%20processing%20sector%20final.pdf

 Suárez de Vivero J.L., 2010. Jurisdictional waters in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. European Parliament, Brussels, 134 pp. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/studies/download.do?language=e n&file=32914

41 Policy Department B: Structural and Cohesion Policies

NOTES

Directorate-General FOR Internal Policies POLICY DEPARTMENT Directorate-General FOR Internal Policies STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIESB

POLICY DEPARTMENT AgricultureAgriculture and Rural and Development Rural Development STRUCTURAL AND COHESION POLICIES B CultureCulture and Education and Education Role

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