This initiative is a part of the “Establishing Black Sea Networks for Monitoring of Stranded Cetaceans” project, implemented by the Black Sea Council for Marine Mammals (an international NGO) and supported by the Secretariat of ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area). The Bulgarian partners are the Ministry of Environment and Waters, Green Balkans, and the Institute of Fish Resources in Varna. The project provides for the implementation of a series of meetings in several countries – Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Two such meetings have been planned for Bulgaria – one on March 21st, organized by the Institute of Fish Resources in Varna, and another on March 24th, organized by Green Balkans in Pomorie. Lecturers at the two meetings will be Alexei Birkun and Sergey Krivokijin – international researchers working for studying and conservation of cetaceans.

Various state and municipal officials, scientists, military officers, and non-governmental structures related to the protection of cetaceans, sea, and marine ecosystems have been invited to take part in the event. The support and involvement of all these institutions will contribute to the overall conservation and studying of cetaceans. Quite often institutions such as the Naval Forces, Border Police, etc., which are not directly related to the conservation of cetaceans, have more regular sightings than the particular organizations. Therefore, Green Balkans is trying to establish broad partnership for the conservation and studying of marine mammals.

Further information
Cetaceans in the Black Sea are represented by three dolphin species – Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Bottle-nosed Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). According to the national legislation, all the three species are protected by the Biological Diversity Act, Fishery and Aquacultures Act, and the Porpoise and the Bottle-nosed Dolphin are listed in Bulgaria’s Red Data Book. Internationally, cetaceans found in the Black sea are listed in numerous nature-conservation documents – Bern Convention, Bonn Convention, ACCOBAMS, CITES, and Council Directive 92/43/EEC. Since January 1st, 2007 and Bulgaria’s accession to the European Union, the commitments undertaken by our country for the enforcement of Council Directive 92/43/EEC and the conservation of species and habitats listed therein have become even more significant.

For more information, please contact:
+359 (0) 32 626977
+359 (0) 887210094
Gradimir Gradev - Conservation Officer
Green Balkans