Bulgaria was represented by a Green Balkans NGO expert proposed by the National Focal point for the ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area). The workshop was attended by three of the four Black Sea Parties – Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine with last minute cancelation by Georgia. Easter Mediterranean countries were represented only by Lebanon.

Among main topics discussed in addition to the work program were three other issues:  
ACCOBAMS Survey Initiative – project identification document was presented to be used for raising funds by identified potential donors. Due to the large cost of the project (estimated between 4 and 6 million euro) it is expected that all Parties will provide own contribution – either financial or in-kind. Letter with description of project and proposals for ways to support and participate will be circulated to all Parties including Bulgaria through the Minister of Environment and Water.
An issue regarding qualifications of Marine Mammal Observers that execute constant monitoring during seismic surveys for oil and gas – the topic is relatively new for the region and aims at introduction of criteria and standards for all. It is proved these surveys cause significant underwater noise that has impact on marine mammals and in many developed countries there is specific legislation requiring during seismic surveys on-board visual and acoustic monitoring to be executed by experts on marine mammals for presence of these. Participants in the workshop agreed on the need of introduction of standards and criteria for completed trainings by experts that carry out such monitoring so to guarantee high quality of monitoring aiming to mitigate impact on cetaceans. In our country currently there is no similar obligatory requirement but that can be demanded by competent authority (MOEW or RIOEW) during decision on need of EIA/AA or as obligatory measure in the relevant report. The topic is actual for Bulgaria given the planned deep water test drills in Han Asparuh block in Bulgarian EEZ of the Black Sea.

Update of list of protected areas that have potential habitat for conservation of cetaceans. The list developed by Dr. Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara was presented during SC 9 in April, 2014 and is part of the information data base of ACCOBAMS. The list was circulated to all Parties with a request for its update in case suitable protected areas are identified. For Bulgaria the list was updated with the extension of marine part of the European ecological network NATURA 2000 at the Black Sea approved with Resolution of Bulgarian government in 2013: Kaliakra Kompleks; Galata; Emine-Irakli; Ropotamo; Strandzha: Plazh Gradina-Zlatna ribka; Aladzha banka; Emona and Otmanli (all SCIs). As a major problem was identified the lack of designated managers that manage and control the activities in the marine protected areas.Options for introduction of the Cetaceans teaching module developed by ACCOBAMS Secretariat for the purpose of master programs in universities. Black Sea Commission offered support for organizing “Train the teacher” workshop for the countries of the region. Revised Conservation Plan for Black Sea Cetaceans was also discussed issue. The need for additional efforts by Parties for number of actions from the Work Program were identified including the use of photo-identification technique and approved survey methods.