CROSS BORDER MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING FOR – AND ROMANIA MARSPLAN-BS II GRANT AGREEMENT: EASME/EMFF/2018/1.2.1.5/01/S12.806725 - MARSPLAN-BS II

Dr. Margarita Stancheva Project Partner 5 Center for Coastal and Marine Studies (CCMS) Varna, Bulgaria

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria  Introduction: defining the working framework  Geographical scope of Black Sea MARSPLAN-BS (Bulgaria and Romania)  Legal framework, governance structure and stage of MSP process  Marine environmental status and natural/anthropogenic pressures  Main maritime activities: trends and planning issues  Findings from case studies: gaps of knowledge and lessons learned  Summary of the main conclusions and transboundary issues  Experience gained and recommendations for further MSP

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria Capitalizing results obtained in the first MARSPLAN-BS Project, the Synthesis Report is aimed: • to summarize and synthesize all information and existing knowledge available so far for the maritime space of Bulgaria and Romania (based on detailed study and case studies results) • to identify critical planning issues, as well as data and knowledge gaps • to set the state of knowledge in order to frame and support the subsequent implementing of the MSP process in the Black Sea Basin.

Photo credits: Hristo Stanchev Photo credits: CCMS Photo credits: CCMS MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria Map produced by CCMS

 MSP methodology was applied to the territorial sea zone of Romania and Bulgaria (12 nm, 22.2 km), and the coastal cross-border area including the basic administrative units (NUTS 4 in Romania and municipalities in Bulgaria) neighboring the shoreline.

 The draft planning area was located at the border between Romania and Bulgaria, its delimitation took into consideration two type of zones: territorial waters (the management area), incl. adjacent coastal area, and EEZ (the extended analysis area for the study of interactions).

 The coastal area included the municipalities Mangalia and Limanu (in Romania) and Shabla (in Bulgaria). The management area is 1 093 389 km2, from which the Romanian area is 417 084 km2 and the Bulgarian part is 672 93 km2.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference Source: www.marsplan.ro 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria  The MSP development has been started and the Directive 2014/89/EU was transposed in both countries national legislations: • In Romania by ) Government Ordinance no. 18/2016 on the maritime spatial planning; and b) Law no. 88/2017 related to the approval of the Government Ordinance no. 18/2016 on the maritime spatial planning. • In Bulgaria by an Amendment of the Law on Maritime Spaces, Inland Waterways and Ports of the Republic of Bulgaria, State Gazette No 28/29.03.2018.

 Designated National Competent Authorities: Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (BG) and Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (RO).  Started procedures on national MSP development and stakeholder consultations.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria  Environmental protection (Nationally designated protected areas and Natura 2000, SCI & SPA)

 Marine habitats and biodiversity

 Marine mammals

 Birds

 Invasive species

 Fish (species, distribution, population, trends)

 Spawning ground and nursery

 Shellfish (species, distribution, abundance, trends)

 Algae and marine plants

Source: www.marsplan.ro

Natura 2000 sites - Coastal protected Marine protected Country coastal and marine areas (CPAs) (%) areas (MPAs) (%) (number) 34 80 7.8 Bulgaria Photos credits: Hristo Stanchev 13 90 22.0 Romania

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria  CPAs/MPAs challenges: climate change and SLR, coastal erosion, lack of approved and operational management plans, mass tourism; lack of sewage systems and degradation of water quality in peak seasons; trawling;

 Habitat loss from the development of coastal infrastructures, dredging and anchoring as well as from water pollution and high eutrophication;

 Physical damages to bottom substrates caused by commercial fishing with active pelagic or demersal fishing gears or fishing with bottom gear leads to abrasion of the seabed;

 Seabirds: climate change, forestry destroy; coastal construction and development; agricultural intensification/pesticide use/drainage; erection of power lines and associated infrastructure; tourism and urbanisation; oil and chemical pollution; solid waste dumping; water contamination; entrapment in sewage; wind turbines, etc.;

 Main threats for the Black Sea fishes: pollution from land based sources (rivers) and direct discharges (inshore area), eutrophication, Illegal fishing/overfishing, use of destructive harvest techniques, also loss of valuable spawning and nursery habitats in rivers and lagoons; modification in river flow regimes, etc.;

 Impacts on algae and plants: water pollution, destruction of the plants as a result of fishing, anchoring of boats and construction activities in the ports.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria Photo credits: NIMRD Photo credits: Hristo Stanchev Main maritime activities/sectors Activities/Sectors Bulgaria Romania Development of fishing and limited yet aquaculture Fishing and Aquaculture Development of fishing and aquaculture . development . Oil and gas exploitation, salt and water extraction: all Extraction of non-living resources Oil and gas exploitation, activity requires MSP to achieve these human activities require MSP to achieve (oil and gas, incl. infrastructure, environmental protection and sustainable development of environmental protection and sustainable development of salt, water, etc.) the sector. the sector. Maritime transport (infrastructure, The sector has high socio-economic importance as it The sector has high socio-economic importance as it shipping, ship building, shipyard, development affects other sectors as fishing and tourism. development affects other sectors as fishing and tourism. etc.) Romania benefits from the advantages of geographical Bulgaria benefits from the advantages of geographical location on important gas transmission corridors and Submarine cables and pipelines location on important gas transmission corridors and access to major gas resources recently discovered in the there are studies and explorations on gas fields. Black Sea. Coastal tourism, mostly mass beach tourism, is prevailing Coastal tourism is more developed (including Danube Tourism (coastal and marine) branch; marine tourism, including yachting and Delta area) than marine, which is represented only by recreational boating, is still limited, but expected to grow. yachting and recreational boating, still limited, High number of coastal defence and flood protection High number of coastal defence and flood protection Coastal defence/flood protection structures (mainly groins, dikes and seawalls), few cases structures (mainly groins, breakwaters and seawalls), of beach nourishment. including beach nourishment. Dredging and dumping are practiced to maintain port Dredging and dumping are practiced to maintain port Dredging and dumping areas and navigational canals functional. areas and navigational canals functional. Numerous UCH remains/ shipwrecks and their protection Numerous UCH remains/ shipwrecks and their protection Underwater Cultural Heritage should be part of national MSP. should be part of national MSP. Zones of military training activities comprise the whole Zones of military trainings and warnings are publicly maritime space, but specifically zones and warnings are Military trainings announced before the trainings; however data on military publicly announced before; Data/information on military MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference trainings in maritime areas are not fully publicly available. trainings in maritime areas are not fully publicly available. 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

Map produced by NIMRD

 Fishery is important at regional level, especially in coastal areas and Map produced by CCMS settlements. In recent years, catches of fish marked a gradual decline due Data source: EAFA to the decline of fish stocks in the Black Sea.

Photos credits: CCMS  Recently Bulgaria has evolved rapidly marine aquaculture expressed in cultivating black mussels: mussel farms with collectors numbering 29. In Romania there is one private aquaculture farm.  Main issues are related to conflicts between representatives of the fishing community and aquaculture operators, pollution of any type that can halt mining production and significant increase in the population of rapana.

Knowledge gaps • No existing spatial database for fishing areas and catchment; MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference • Data for aquaculture areas are not in spatial formats. 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

 In Bulgaria oil is exploited in the area of Burgas (oil refinery) and Shabla (oil and gas extractions ) and 4 natural gas fields. In Romanian continental shelf there are 16 oil and gas exploration perimeters.  From centuries coastal lagoons are subject of salt production through solar evaporation of sea water: Pomoriysko and Atanasovsko Lakes, located in the area of Burgas Bay.  Potential conflicts: oil spills, marine accidents, increasing pressure on environment.

Knowledge gaps • No existing spatial database for extraction of non-living resources; • Data for extraction of non-living resources are fragmented and in unfriendly formats.

Source: www.marsplan.ro

Photo credits: CCMS

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria Number of Port types ports • Varna and Burgas Harbours 1 Ports for public transport with national importance 13 • Constanta and Mangalia Harbours 2 Ports for public transport with regional importance 9 3 Fishing ports 13 • Potential conflicts are related to 4 Yacht ports (marinas) 14 environmental pressures, as well as 5 Ports of special purpose 11 limiting the development of other Total 61 maritime sectors (e.g. tourism, fishing and aquaculture, "blue" Data source: Executive Agency "Maritime administration", www.marad.bg energy) due to the existing territorial and structural solutions. Constanta North South Total Total area(Ha) 817 3109 3926 Knowledge gaps of land 495 818 1313 which water 322 2291 2613 • Lack of statistical information on the Breakwater (m) 8344 5560 13904 number, tonnage, type of ships visited Quay length (km) 15.5 14.6 30.1 Bulgarian ports – difficult to find; Number of berths 82 74 156 • Lack of information on number of Depth of basins (m) 7-14 7-19 yachts visiting ports;

• Vessel traffic data are not freely Photo credits: CCMS available.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference Photo credits: CCMS 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

Several submarine cables pass through the Black Sea: 1. KAFOS: Mangalia (Romania) –Varna (Bulgaria)-Rumeli-Igneada () – 504 km; 2. Caucasus Cable System: Balchik (Bulgaria) – Poti () - 1,182 km km 3. Black Sea Fiber Optical Cable System (BSFOCS): Varna (Bulgaria) - Odessa (Ukraine) -Novorossyisk (Russia) is a 1,300 km (~ 335,4 km Bulgarian marine sector) submarine telecommunication, went into operation in September 2001 with a total capacity of 20 Gbit/sec along 2 fiber pairs. 4. ITUR: Italy - Turkey - Ukraine – Russia 5. Georgia-Russia

Map produced by CCMS Installations increase noise, pollution, turbidity and physical disturbance to habitats: increase in suspended sediment concentrations and deposition, potential contaminant release from sediment, electromagnetic fields, etc.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria  Almost 2/3 of tourist infrastructure in Bulgaria and number of tourists are concentrated in coastal areas, mostly beach and bathing tourism.

 Almost a half of the hotel accommodation capacity in Romania and approximately 2/3 of the accommodation provided by international tourism.

 Cruise tourism: 0.23 % of the GVA produced by the tourism sector and only 2.2 % of the sector employment.

 Yachting: number of yachts and motor boats in Bulgaria remains very low (around 1.000) and 14 marinas are licensed (Country Fiche Bulgaria, 2014).

Knowledge gaps Data source: EAMA, Bulgaria

 Lack and poor comparability of data;

 No existing spatial database for coastal and marine tourism;

 Lack of data for development of marine tourism, mostly for yachting, cruise tourism, recreational boating ,etc.

Photo credits: CCMS

 Conflicts between tourism development and protection of natural environment: Photo credits: CCMS expanded human pressure on limited land area and resources.  Potential conflicts are related to areas where boating/yachting may not occur due to the presence of infrastructures (e.g. aquaculture farms, oil and gas platforms, etc.) and other marine activities such as maritime transport, scuba diving etc.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria Catalogue of port and coastal-protection structures at the Bulgarian-Romanian Black Sea coast (modified from: Burcharth, Hughes, 2006), after Stanica et al., 2012

Type of Objective Principal Functions Type of Construction Structure Prevent or alleviate flooding Separation of shoreline from Concrete armour units or rubble-mound Sea/coastal dikes by the sea of low-laying land hinterland by a high impermeable (rock-fill) and composite type areas structure Similar structures Prevent or alleviate flooding Made from a variety of rock types or Covering less tightly specified rip-raps by the sea of low-laying land concrete rubble from building and dumped or placed rock structures areas paving demolition Impermeable, concrete Reduction of alongshore sediment i) 178 different types of groins; ii) 31 dikes; iii) 26 Groins (Y, T, Z, I- shape) Prevent beach erosion sheet-pile or rubble-mound (rock-fill) transport seawalls; iv) 73 embankments/rip-raps; v) 62 ports, design Protect land and structures Reinforcement of some part of the Formed of concrete/rock marinas/quay walls and navigational channels; vi) 14 Seawalls segments, representing artificial beaches (Stanchev et from flooding and overtopping beach profile blocks or sheet piling al., 2013) Similar structures Consist of a cladding of stone, Protect the shoreline against Reinforcement of some part of the i) revetments concrete, or asphalt to armour sloping erosion beach profile natural shoreline profiles.

Retain soil and prevent sliding ii) bulkheads Reinforcement of the soil bank Vertical wall anchored with tie rods of the land behind

Rubble-mound structures constructed Reduction of wave heights at the Reef breakwaters Prevent beach erosion as a homogeneous pile of stone or shore concrete armour units

Reduction of wave heights in the Detached breakwaters Prevent beach erosion lee of the structure and reduction of Rubble-mound construction long-shore sediment movement

Rock-armoured, rubble-mound Retard offshore movement of Submerged breakwaters Prevent beach erosion structures or made of commercially sediment available prefabricated units

Shore-connected or detached; sloping- front and vertical-front structures: Shelter harbour areas and Dissipation of wave energy and/or composite or rubble-mound armoured harbour entrances, and water Harbour breakwaters reflection of wave energy back into with rock or concrete armour units, with There is still a lack of relevant coast-protection intakes against waves and the sea or without wavewall superstructures, or currents management plans, which invariably involve concrete blocks placed on a rubble hard engineering structures. Current cliff and stone base layer

beach erosion is associated with these, which Similar structures have reduced sediment inputs and interrupted Stabilise navigation channels Protect against storm water and Shore-connected, construction similar sand movement. 1) jetties at river mouths and tidal inlets cross-currents to breakwaters

Protect harbours and inlets Shelter from waves and storm that are important commercial winds, provide adequate depth/ Shore-connected, construction similar 2) moles and military navigation links manoeuvring room within the Photo credits: CCMS to breakwaters and to stabilise navigational harbour, secure minimal navigation channels channel dredging

Maintained by constant dredging Navigation Provide safe, reliable, and activities to a required depth for channels efficient waterway navigation MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference modern ships 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

 During 2006-2015, dredging activities were carried out at 12 locations along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, EMODNET data.  Two designated areas for depositing dredged sediments that fall into the territorial waters of the Republic of Bulgaria (12 nm zone) against Varna and Burgas bays.

Knowledge gaps

Photo credits: CCMS  Lack of freely available spatial data

 Lack of information on environmental impact and monitoring of the dumping sites

 Dredging is violating the integrity of the seabed and destroying the seabed ecosystems.

 One of the main concerns over dumping and dredging is the release of contaminants to the water column (such as heavy metals), which is associated with temporary increases in turbidity.

Photo credits: CCMS

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria  Protection of underwater cultural heritage might be an issue due to many existing and potential conflicts and synergies with other sea uses, including coastal and marine tourism.  Within the HERAS Project (Romania-Bulgaria) an Underwater Heritage Tourism Management Plan was developed targeted to sustainable development of the border areas. Knowledge gaps  The UCH in the cross-border area of Bulgaria and Romania still remains insufficiently explored and there is no map of the points, types and periods of underwater archaeological finds;  - Lack of regulated zones for UCH sites exposure and monitoring, and information of the exact perimeter for underwater surveys;  - Lack of information on identified zones for visiting UCH sites the exploitation of which will increase the tourist visits and pressure on the environment respectively.

Map produced by CCMS

Map of the potential targets from the Romanian coast and shelf of the western Black Sea (Source: HERAS project) Threats to UCH: - events disturbing the seabed (e.g. earthquakes, storms, coastal erosion, etc.); - physical threats (e.g. currents); - biological threats (e.g. bacteria, fungi and wood-borers); - chemical threats (e.g. corrosion); - coastal and offshore infrastructure developments such as ports, coastal defence works, cables and pipelines, oil and gas platforms; - other activities disturbing the seabed such as trawling, dredging or anchoring may also MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference Wooden shipwreck pose a threat to UCH. 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria Photo source: HERAS project

MILITARY TRAININGS

 The EU MSP Directive (article 8) suggests that military training areas might be covered

under the MSP planning process as one of the 14 sea uses listed in this article. However, 1 enhancing national defence and security is not directly mentioned among the MSP objectives in article 5 of the Directive. Therefore, it is up to Member States to decide how to

tackle national defence and security in maritime spatial plans (Source: www.msp- activity 1.1. activity

- platform.eu).  Zones of military trainings and warnings are publicly announced in Bulgaria and Romania before the trainings; however data on military trainings in maritime areas are not fully publicly available.

Knowledge gaps  Spatial data on military trainings in maritime areas are not publicly available.

WP1, Activity 1.1, Sub 1.1, Activity WP1, Conflicts: SYNTHESIS REPORT ON MARITIME USES MARITIME ON REPORT SYNTHESIS  An important driver of conflict is the secrecy that often surrounds military activities. Very often, the military cannot be explicit about its spatial needs.

 Coexistence is often possible with more fleeting uses that do not impede military activities in principle, such as tourism, fishing, or even shipping; in these cases, measures such as temporary closures can often be used.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

Case Study approach of the MARSPLAN-BS Project included five case studies on major challenges for three specific areas and for two specific domains. The case study approach was based on problem and contextual specificities, such as land-sea interactions for Burgas, coastal erosion for Eforie, stakeholder involvement in Sfante Gheorge, elaboration of a new ship routing system for Bulgaria and Romania, fishery and aquaculture issues:

 Eforie area Case Study

 Sfantu Gheorghe Case Study

 Burgas Case Study: Land-Sea Interactions

 Elaboration of detailed study on the establishment of a new ship routing system in territorial seas Republic of Bulgaria

 Aquaculture and Fisheries Case Study

All case studies had a positive impact on the protection of the environment and maritime uses (identifying conflicts and synergies), key issues selection and adaptation of potential MSP solutions.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria ACHIEVEMENTS The Eforie study discussed the influence of coastal erosion on the terrestrial and marine domain.  Mapping of marine bio-geo-physical features and associated human activity  Quantification of coastal and marine features, human activities, pressures and threats  Identification of zonal conflicts, concentration of uses, priority conservation areas  Stakeholder methods and also Functional - Spatial Zoning analyses have been some of methods applied.  The study proved the existence of a significant pressures from the coastal erosion, and need for a proper beach/cliffs management.  The influence of the coastal erosions on the socio-economic activities, is reflected in associated interactions, conflicts and controls between stakeholder’s various activities in study area.

Sfantu Gheorghe case study system analysis

Shoreline changes in the last 10 years (Maps produced by NIMRD)

RECCOMENDATIONS . The area remains under the risk of coastal erosion and the initiatives to identify ways and possibilities for coast consolidation need to be continued. . Future coast-protection measures should consider mitigation of impact of existing hard and soft coastal protection, as sand nourishment and preservation of ecosystem and biodiversity. MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference . Coastal protection is highly cost consuming, planners and engineers should consider reshaping/naturalization and 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria natural landscape promotion. ACHIEVEMENTS Sketch Match methodology for MSP implementation that frames:  Reliable information on coastal area management, awareness of local community and stakeholders.  Integration in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Management Plan, local regulations and National legislation.

 Practical solutions, lessons learned on how to implement solutions identified for Sfantu Gheorghe study area.  Collaboration between institutions present at the session after the project end; institutional collaboration for maritime area clarifications.  Involvement of local community in the study area.  Scenarios and solutions for MSP.

Integrated Sketch for the natural capital and spatial planning group

IMPACT Sfantu Gheorghe case study system analysis The Sketch Match planning methodology proved to be a success for Sfantu Gheorghe Case Study, assuring a good cooperation process with different stakeholders and experts, MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference raising awareness among stakeholders related to a sustainable 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria use of their coastal and marine area. ACHIEVEMENTS  Interactions between land and sea based economic activities and spatial uses, and the environment were identified and analyzed.  Conflict/synergy matrix of Land-Sea Interactions was developed.  Impact of land infrastructure on wetlands and maritime space was identified and evaluated.  Main conflicts of use and of environment in the maritime pilot area were identified and analyzed.  Key stakeholders were identified and involved at the early stage of the study elaboration.  Recommendations and solutions for identified case area issues were developed.

IMPACT Map of current land/ sea uses and natural values  Positive impact on environment (both RECCOMENDATIONS coastal zone and maritime space).  A dedicated maritime spatial planning is needed to reflect all  Positive impact from identified conflicts and complex LSI. synergies of LSI (human uses and  Addressing properly LSI should also include a relationship with the environment) and avoiding future conflicts. terrestrial spatial plans.  Impact on project level results and  As coastal and marine research for LSI is time and costs consuming, developed MSP policy recommendations. relevant research and monitoring should be provided.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference  Ways must be found to involve actively the key stakeholders, and 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria much more cooperation is needed amongst them. Sea spatial uses

Coastal land uses

Coastal Coastal fishing Open fishing sea nets Pound Underwater cables routes Shipping and navigation Dumping sites Dredging Anchorage sites tourism Yachting sports Water (windsurfing etc.) water sports Engine Diving Underwater cultural heritage practice Military areas waters Intake discharges Waste water trawling Bottom areas Protected Concession areas Research monitoring stations Research hydrographic equipment waters Bathing Beaches and dunes Tourism activities Residential areas Industrial areas Port terrestrial areas Waste water discharges Roads and railways Electrical grid Airport Natural gas pipelines Oil pipelines Tailings dams Fish boat landing sites Coastal protection/nourishment Nationally protected areas and Natura 2000

areas Cultural historical sites and landscape Coding of boxes: Land-Sea Interaction matrix for Burgas study area . Green - interaction with synergy . Yellow – interaction with weak conflict . Red – interaction with conflict MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference . Empty – no interactions 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

ACHIEVEMENTS  On the basis of detailed analysis of the existing vessel traffic system, a new traffic separation system (TSS) was proposed.  A comparative analysis between existing and proposed TSS was done.

Existing TSS in the Republic of Bulgaria Proposed TSS for Republic of Bulgaria

IMPACT RECCOMENDATIONS The new vessel traffic system will significantly contribute to the  Enactment of a new system by the Bulgarian government was enhancing of the safety of navigation due to division of cabotage recommended. shipping from classic maritime transport.  The new maritime traffic system will be confronted with the polygons and areas, used for military training and exercise. Its MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference introduction will require new zoning of military polygons and areas. 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria ACHIEVEMENTS Most significant threats are:  Overfishing: the drastic drop of total landings during the past 5 years by over 40% may be a result of significant changes in the structure and functionality of the marine ecosystem, but to a similar extent, as result of an extremely high rate of fishing effort.  Illegal and unregulated fisheries (IUU): It is a general issue in all Black Sea countries. A Roadmap for reducing IUU fisheries was elaborated .  Despite benefits by marine aquaculture, the sector remains low undeveloped in the Black Sea (more developed in Bulgaria).  Development of marine aquaculture can represent an important additional way to cover the increasing demand of fish market.  Fisheries statistics, fish stock assessment and monitoring activities are fragmented and irregular at national level.

RECCOMENDATIONS  Undertake concerted actions to combat illegal fishing and to establish regional consultation mechanism between the Black Sea coastal states.  Harmonize methodologies for assessments and establish well defined objectives for fishery sector.  Elaborate criteria for selection and designating fishing free zones on the national and regional levels.  Deepen cooperation among all stakeholders in fishery sector, including industry, experts, policy-makers.  Conduct detailed, coordinated research for fishery management and possible impact of fishing methods (e.g. Map produced by NIMRD trawling on the seabed). MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

 LSI is a complex phenomenon, involving both natural processes across the land-sea interface and the impact of human activities in this zone.

 To promote sustainable use of marine space, the LSI should be taken into account when preparing the maritime spatial plans as required by the MSP Directive.

Source: www.msp-platform.eu

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

Develop a methodology for analysis and integration of LSI in the MSP of the cross-border region – a guidance for further repetition models applicable to

national MSPs of Bulgaria and Romania:

 a) Identify interactions, conflicts and compatibility between users, sectors and interests, both land-sea and sea-land, and provide practical solutions to identified issues and conflicts (in particular for coastal erosion);  b) Identify important issues in integrating LSI into cross-border MSP with relation to available data, methods, plans and processes;  c) Clarify the most important barriers to integrate the LSI and ways to overcome them;  d) Best practices and recommendations for further work on integrating LSI into cross-border MSP.

The cross-border area faces significant current challenges such as one of the highest rates of coastal erosion, pollutions from the land based-activities, etc.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference Erosion loess coast, Shabla Municipality 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria Photos credits: CCMS

 Multi-Use (MU) means a joint use of resources in close geographic proximity. This can involve either a single user or multiple users (Angela Schultz-Zehden et al., 2018. Ocean Multi-Use Action Plan, MUSES project. Edinburgh).  The Action Plan of the Horizon 2020 MUSES project was published in 2019.  The MSP Directive is still the only one document to support MU and MSP provides the needed policy to overcome barriers for MU development

o For the Black Sea the MU concept is still novel and it must be supported by the commencing MSP.

o It is a ”win-win” situation as the MSP supports the MU implementation and the MU can ease Photo credits: CCMS the implementation of MSP.

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

 MUSES project findings: environment and tourism are the key drivers for MU combinations in the Black Sea.

 Adressing the MU concept with MSP in the cross- border area of Bulgaria and Romania following the MUSES Action Plan.

 MU Case Study of Tourism, Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) and Environmental Protection in cross-border area (Kaliakra Nature and Archaeological Reserve and Vama-Veche - 2 May Marine Reserve).

Photo credits: CCMS

Map produced by CCMS

Photo credits: CCMS

Photo source: HERAS Project MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

 Promoting stakeholder participation and cooperation in the cross-border region.  Developing a stakeholder map for the cross-border region.  Key stakeholders will be identified and involved at the early stage of the LSI and MU case study elaboration.  Stakeholders will be one of the major source of information for drivers, added values, barriers and negative impacts (DABI) factors of MUSES methodology in MU Case study (mostly interviews and questioning, as well as during the joint stakeholder meetings).

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria

MARSPLAN-BS II Project Opening Conference Photo credits: CCMS 10 October 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria