3 LIFE Project Number LIFE09/NAT/BG 000230 FINAL Report Covering the project activities from 01/09/2010 to 31/05/2015 Reporting Date 15/07/2015 LIFE+ PROJECT NAME or Acronym Conservation of the Wintering Population of the Globally Threatened Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) in Bulgaria Project Data Project location Bulgaria Project start date: 01/09/2010 Project end date: 31/05/2015 Total Project duration 56 months (in months) Total budget € 2 656 608 Total eligible budget € EU contribution: € 1 990 635 (%) of total costs (%) of eligible costs Beneficiary Data Name Beneficiary Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds Contact person Mr Nikolai Petkov Postal address PO Box 50, BG-1111 Sofia, Bulgaria Visit address Zh.k. Yavorov, bl 71, entr 3, fl.1, ap.1. BG-1111, Sofia, Bulgaria Telephone +359 (0) 2 Fax: xx-xx-xxxxxxx + direct n° E-mail Project Website www.bsbp-redbreast.org 1. List of contents 2 2. Executive Summary The project “Conservation of the Wintering Population of the Globally Threatened Red- breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) in Bulgaria” short named “Safe Ground for Redbreasts” is the most ambitious large-scale project focused on the conservation of the Red-breasted Goose (RbG) to date. It has started in September 2010 and ended in May 2015. The approved budget of the project is 2 656 608 € of which 75% is contribution by the EU, while the remaining of the funds 25% are contributed by the partners. The coordinating beneficiary is the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) with associated beneficiaries – the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (both UK based charities), “Kirilovi” Ltd (large scale farmer in the Project region) and Hunters and Anglers Association of Shabla (local NGO). 2.1 Project Objectives: The Life Project “Safe Ground for Redbreasts” is focused on the conservation of currently the most threatened goose species in the World – the Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis). It aims to protect and improve the status of the species in Coastal Dobrudzha, Bulgaria, arguably its most important wintering ground. The project was located in four key SPA/Natura 2000 sited in NE Bulgaria. The specific objectives of the Project were: Strengthen the strategic planning framework to minimise the detrimental effect of economic development on Red-breasted Geese in the project area. Engage stakeholders to reduce anthropogenic mortality and disturbance of Red- breasted Geese at the project sites. Engage stakeholders to develop sustainable land-management models for Red- breasted Goose conservation at the project sites. Enhance community pride in and support for the conservation of Red-breasted Geese, and the Natura 2000 sites that they depend on. 2.2 Key Deliverables and Outputs The key results of the project are: Ecological and conservation requirements of the Red-breasted Goose have been incorporated in the Priority Action Framework for Natura 2000 (PAF) for the period 2014 – 2020, as well as in the Strategic Ecological Assessment of the National Program for Development of Renewable Energy Resources of Bulgaria 2012-2020. Restrictions on further development of windfarms in sensitive areas have been envisaged in the SEA. As a result till 2020 any further development of wind turbines in Dobrudzha including the project SPAs is prohibited. At the same time proper funding for implementation of management measures for conservation of Red- breasted Goose is ensured through PAF until 2020. 3 Improved knowledge and information on Red-breasted Goose ecology and behavior on which future conservation work on the species could be based on. This includes the first ever foraging habitat model of the Red-breasted Goose. The foraging habitat model has been used to inform the development of the new AES for the species and is used as eligibility layer by the Ministry of Agriculture and Foods. First successful tracking of the Red-breasted Goose which identified a key wintering site for the species within the flyway. A GIS based interactive Sensitivity Map of key areas for the Red-breasted Goose was developed to inform decision makers and experts for assessing impact of various developments and their cumulative impact. The map is based on thorough 3 years study on the key roost, flight lines and feeding areas under a replicable methodology that could be applied in other parts of the species flyway range. The first detailed windfarm impact study on the Red-breasted Goose that would help to assess future projects and impacts. This study for the first time has revealed a significant displacement impact of windfarm development in the area and results have been communicated to relvant authorities. The whole territory of Kaliakra IBA has been designated eventually for and SPA, which was one of the last two IBAs that were not fully protected as SPAs. A new SPA has been designated by the MoEW as a mitigation measure for the court case of Kaliakra. This is the second of two SPAs that have been designated entirely to provide foraging habitat for wintering geese and construction and development of windfarms or other type of building is prohibited. The proposal for this SPA has been made by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, but under the pressure from imminent court case against Bulgarian Government. Project managed to prevent major investment projects that were endangering key areas for the species in Dobrudzha like “Smin” windfarm. The dangerous project was blocked at its final stage, but further work is needed to ensure its complete rejection. Efforts (studies and analyses) made by the projects under the infringement procedure “Kaliakra” contributed to improvement of the environmental legislation in a way that all decisions for approval of projects without EIA or AA have validity period of 5 years, including those approved in the past. It prevented realisation of 537 wind farm projects in Dobrudzha and 20 toursim development projects in Coastal Dobrudzha, which are potentially harmful and have not been started during the last 5 years. Long-term monitoring program for the species in Bulgaria has been designed and presented to the EAEW that would ensure adequate information is collected and allows proper assessment of the status and conservation needs of the species. A new agri-environmental scheme has been developed by project experts to enhance appropriate farming and crop rotation in the wintering area and ensure food resources for the species and at the same time compensating losses incurred by local farmers. It 4 is part of the NRDP and first farmers have applied in 2015 – total of 17,821ha by 240 farmers and farming cooperatives. Significantly reduced the problems caused by poaching fishermen and hunters within the SPAs through introducing a new hunting patrol system. Through joint hunting patrols the registered mortality of Red-breasted Goose has been reduced to zero for the past two hunting seasons, which exceeds the 75% target in the Project. Created and developed a local public event – the “Red-breasted Goose Kite Festival” which for 3 years was attended by over 2000 people annually. Its long-term implementation has been ensured through a partnership agreement with the Shabla municipality which takes on the leading role for it organisation. First ever evaluation of potential chemical hazards for the wintering population of the species has been implemented and provides replicable methodology for similar studies in other parts of the flyway. The national SAP has been revised based on inclusive approach of all relevant stakeholder parties. The document has passed several rounds of consultations and changes and is awaiting adoption at the MoEW. Administrative changes in the legislation and inauguration of the administrative body that has to approve the SAP has prevented its adoption by the end of the project. The MoEW has declared its readiness to adopt it once the Biodiversity Council at the MoEW has been set up. A best practice guide for assessment of projects and how to apply EIA and appropriate assessments in key areas for the wintering of the Red-breasted Goose has been developed and published. The guidelines provide best models for decision makers and experts and reflect the key ecological requirements of the species that need to be taken into account. Good working relations with local farmers and farming cooperatives have been established based on thrust and understanding and active partnership, benefiting goose and nature conservation. A documentary on the Red-breasted Goose and threats and conservation work including resolving farmers’ conflict has been produced and broadcasted on national TV. And educational program has been developed and local teachers have been trained for its implementation covering the whole project area. New partnerships have been developed between conservationists and local farmers and stake holders. The farmers in Shabla municipality have acknowledged the contribution made by the Project team to resolve the issue about crop damages by wintering geese. Over 700 publications in national and regional media were posted, including regular broadcast on national TV and radio stations. TV coverage of the project work has been broadcasted on BBC and Euronews channels, as well as all national TV stations 5 in Bulgaria, which brought significant national and international popularity for the project implementation and RBG conservation work. During the project implementation was reinvigorated the cooperation and connection amongst the Red-breasted Goose range countries. Close exchange of field data and information of activities has been facilitated via the AEWA International Working Group on the species. 3. Introduction The “Safe Ground for Redbreasts” Life Project is so far the most extensive in terms of research and conservation activities and most ambitious project within the global flyway range of the Red-breasted Goose focused in one of the key sites for the conservation of the species in the Bulgarian part of Coastal Dobrudzha.