“LIFE FOR THE BURGAS LAKES” PROJECT (LIFE08/NAT/BG/000277) implemented by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds with the financial support of LIFE+ Program of the European Union NATIONAL ACTION PLAN for Conservation of Wetlands of High Significance in Bulgaria 2013 – 2022 МИНИСТЕРСТВО НА ОКОЛНАТА СРЕДА И ВОДИТЕ Authors: Ventzislav Vassilev – team leader, author of the general parts of the plan Rossen Vassilev – coordinator, author of the wetland characteristics Dr. Petar Yankov – avifauna Dr. Nevena Kamburova, Research Associate – avifauna Dr. Yordan Uzunov, Senior Research Associate – hydrobiology, invertebrate fauna Dr. Lachezar Pehlivanov, Senior Research Associate – fish fauna Prof. Dr. Boiko Georgiev – mammals Dr. Georgi Popgeorgiev – herpetofauna, GIS and maps Boris Assyov – flora and vegetation Stefan Avramov – coordinator protected areas and species Radostina Tzenova – coordinator of stakeholder work, editor Yurii Kornilev – editor of the Bulgarian and English version of the Plan Sofia, 2013 Publication of Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation Design and print by C print Ltd., Burgas ISBN: 978-954-9959-63-5 © R. Tzenova Acknowledgments The authors express their gratitude to the experts, government institution representatives and other stakeholders who have provided information, comments and recommendations during the preparation of the plan. We acknowledge the contribution of the MOEW representatives and, mainly, Mrs. Aylin Hasan (the National Coordinator for the Ramsar Convention) for editing the Bulgarian and English versions of the plan, for information and photos provided, and for taking an active part in the meetings and discussions related to this plan. We value very highly the contribution of Lyubomir Profirov and of senior scientific collaborator Dr. Tanyo Michev, who, being the main authors of the first national plan (1995), became involved in this update by making recommendations and by providing information. We are grateful to Stoycho Stoychev (Conservation Director, BSPB) and to Stefan Avramov (Protected areas and species, BBF) for their comments and improvements to the plan. We acknowledge the contribution of the Royal Society for the protection of Birds (RSPB) team and the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention for their support for the plan’s finalization. We are grateful to Ventzislav Gradinarov and Peter Todorov from BBF for the translation of the document to English. 4 National Action Plan for Conservation of Wetlands of High Significance in Bulgaria 2013 – 2022 Contents 1. Summary 7 2. Introduction 9 2.1. Grounds for the Plan .................................................................................................... 9 2.2. Development Process of the Plan ................................................................................ 9 2.3. Intent and Features of the Plan ..................................................................................... 10 2.4. Goals and Tasks of the Plan ......................................................................................... 11 3. Legal and Institutional Framework 12 3.1. Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................. 12 3.1.1. International Conventions and European Union Regulations ....................................... 12 3.1.2. National Legislation ................................................................................................. 13 3.1.3 Strategic and program documents ............................................................................. 13 3.2. Institutional Framework Roles and Responsibilities of the Institutions ........................... 14 4. Social and Economic Aspects 15 4.1 Social Aspects ............................................................................................................. 15 4.2 Economic Aspects ....................................................................................................... 15 4.3 Economic Benefits and Ecosystem Services ................................................................. 18 5. General Status of Wetlands in Bulgaria 22 5.1 General Status and Trends for Bulgaria’s Wetlands ........................................................ 22 5.2 Review of the Implementation of the Previous Plan – at the national level ...................... 23 6. Characteristics of Bulgaria’s Most Significant Wetlands 27 6.1 Ramsar Sites ............................................................................................................... 27 Srebarna ..................................................................................................................... 28 Ropotamo Complex ..................................................................................................... 31 Atanasovsko Lake ........................................................................................................ 34 Durankulak Lake ......................................................................................................... 37 Shabla Lake ............................................................................................................... 40 Belene Islands Complex ............................................................................................. 43 Ibisha Island ............................................................................................................... 46 Poda ........................................................................................................................... 48 Pomorie Wetland Complex .......................................................................................... 51 Vaya Lake (Burgas Lake) ............................................................................................. 54 Dragoman Marsh Karst Complex ................................................................................... 57 National Action Plan for Conservation of Wetlands of High Significance in Bulgaria 2013 – 2022 5 6.2 Potential Ramsar Sites and Other Wetlands with National Importance ........................... 61 Mandra Dam / Mandra Lake ............................................................................................ 62 Ovcharitsa Dam .............................................................................................................. 63 Pyasachnik Dam ............................................................................................................. 64 The Glava Panega wetlands ............................................................................................. 66 Rozov Kladenets Reservoir .............................................................................................. 67 Maritsa - Zlato pole ........................................................................................................ 68 Choklyovo blato ............................................................................................................. 69 Chengene Skele ............................................................................................................. 70 Island near Upper Tsibar ................................................................................................. 71 Orsoya Fisheries ............................................................................................................. 72 Vardim Island ................................................................................................................. 73 The Mechka Fisheries ..................................................................................................... 74 Kalimok .......................................................................................................................... 75 Pozharevo Island ............................................................................................................ 76 Garvan marsh ................................................................................................................. 78 Kaliakra - Tyulenovo coastline ......................................................................................... 79 Baltata ............................................................................................................................ 80 Kamchia Complex .......................................................................................................... 82 Varnensko-Beloslavsko Lake Complex ............................................................................. 83 Malko Sharkovo Water Reservoir ..................................................................................... 85 Straldzha Marsh .............................................................................................................. 86 Veleka - Silistar ............................................................................................................... 87 The Seven Rila Lakes ...................................................................................................... 88 Hadzhi Dimitrovo fisheries .............................................................................................. 89 Zvanichevo fisheries ....................................................................................................... 90 7. Priorities and measures 92 7.1 Priorities for conservation, maintenance and restoration of wetlands in Bulgaria .................................................................................... 92 7.2 Horizontal measures for protection and wise use of wetlands ............................................