The measure was developed during the first MSFD cycle as a coordinated action with Romania under the project “Technical and administrative support for the joint implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in Bulgaria and Romania – Phase 2,” funded by the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission. The measure can be regarded as a prerequisite for more effective cooperation between the government and the fisheries sector, by increasing the awareness of fishing operators about the country’s environmental commitments and the long-term benefits of adopting environmentally friendly fishing techniques and gear. In Bulgaria, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, along with its structural unit — the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EAFA) — is primarily responsible for coordinating and facilitating dialogue between the government and local Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), professional organizations in the fisheries sector, associations, and fishermen. The Ministry of Environment and Water also takes part in this process in cases related to the implementation of the Biodiversity Act, the Protected Areas Act, and the Ordinance on the protection of the Black Sea eEnvironment. This measure will support the promotion of the sustainable exploitation of marine resources targeted by commercial fisheries, as well as the introduction and implementation of innovative, environmentally friendly or selective fishing techniques and methods for harvesting other marine foods, in line with the Blue Growth initiative. The measure includes the following activities: Organizing and conducting annual information events (meetings/seminars, at least twice per year) with local fisheries groups, professional organizations in the fisheries sector, associations, and fishermen, aimed at promoting the use of environmentally friendly fishing techniques and gear; Preparation and dissemination of informational materials (posters, brochures, etc.). Encouraging the use of devices to reduce the unwanted impact of certain fishing practices on vulnerable species (e.g. cetaceans), such as pingers. This may help reduce incidents of cetacean attacks on pound nets and other types of fishing gear, as well as decrease accidental bycatch, entanglement, or drowning of cetaceans.

The measure aims to promote the use of technological innovations in the performance of small-scale fishing (ie more selectable fishing techniques) in order to realize the environmental fishing.

The measure was developed as a joint coordinated action with Romania within the framework of the project “Technical and administrative support for the joint implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in Bulgaria and Romania – Phase 2,” funded by the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commssion. With the entry into force of the amendments to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (FAA) in 2012, the use of beam trawls in the marine waters of the Republic of Bulgaria was legalized. According to the provisions of the FAA (Art. 35, para. 1, item 3), commercial and recreational fishing using bottom trawling and dredging gear is prohibited, with the exception of beam trawls, in the internal marine waters, territorial waters, contiguous zone, continental shelf, and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Bulgaria (as defined in Art. 3, para. 1 of the FAA). Additionally, based on a proposal by the Executive Director of the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EAFA), the Minister of Agriculture and Food may, by order, designate zones in which the use of beam trawls is prohibited. Given the highly destructive impact of beam trawling on marine ecosystems — including direct damage and destruction of benthic habitats and species (both plant and animal) — it is necessary to conduct long-term monitoring and establish rules for exploitation in the permitted zones in a way that prevents lasting negative structural and functional effects on marine ecosystems. Where necessary, and based on scientific advice, the boundaries of zones where beam trawling is prohibited should be updated in order to contribute to the achievement of Good Environmental Status (GES) of the marine environment, in accordance with the requirements of the MSFD. Implementation of the measure includes the following activities: Conducting annual surveys in zones subject to beam trawling, including analysis of the impacts and trends in changes over the MSFD implementation cycle. In order to protect the favorable conservation status of benthic habitats and species in marine protected areas designated under the Biodiversity Act (BA) and marine protected sites under the Protected Areas Act (PAA), the full prohibition of bottom trawling, including beam trawling and dredging, must be enforced in those zones. Where necessary, developing a scientifically justified proposal for amending the boundaries of the zones where beam trawling is prohibited, taking into account the requirement that these zones must include protected areas under the BA and PAA, as well as a mandatory minimum buffer distance from their borders. Any such changes must also comply with the provisions of the Cultural Heritage Act. Prohibition on the use of beam trawls at depths greater than 35 meters. Where necessary, modifying the exploitation requirements for beam trawling in designated zones to ensure achievement of the MSFD environmental objectives.

The measure is planned given the strong destructive impact of Beam trawls, which is expressed in direct damage and even destruction of bottom habitats and species (plant and animal). The aim is to encourage the application of more environmentally friendly techniques for production, respectively, less damage to the marine environment, and related benefits.

The planned new measure aims to enhance the control functions of the competent authorities regarding compliance with the requirements for turbot fishing nets used in the fisheries sector (material, mesh size, and mesh thickness/density). The measure seeks to improve turbot stocks and reduce unwanted bycatch (non-commercial fish species and marine mammals) by strengthening the control mechanism over turbot fishing techniques and gear.

The measure includes the creation of a working interdepartmental group at the national level directly related to the work on determining spatial-time areas with the relevant bans and restrictions on fish; Review of existing spatial-time prohibitions and restrictions on fishing activities in national sea waters; conducting research to clarify the needs of spatial-time prohibitions and restrictions on economic significant fish species; Determination / updating of spatial-time prohibitions and restrictions on some species of fish; bilateral coordination between Bulgaria and Romania; Conduct control to comply with these prohibitions and restrictions in the designated areas.

The implementation of the measure includes the following activities: 1. Compliance with the requirements of the MSFD, incl. GES definitions, targets and relevant indicators, when developing / updating the plans to manage the announced MPAs. In the orders for the declaration of protected areas and territories, restrictions related to dredging and disposal and trailing are determined. 2. In case of reasonable necessity, to achieve the objectives of MSFD: 2.1. inclusion of additional types in the subject of protection of existing MPAs; 2.2. change of protection regime (prohibitions, restrictions, period of implementation); 3. Development and approval of specific and detailed objectives of protecting the protected areas within the meaning of the Act. 4. Conducting bilateral coordination between Bulgaria and Romania on the update of plans for the management of the announced MPAs. The measure is aimed at synchronized the implementation of the MSFD, the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive.

This measure complements measure No. 14 on the preparation/updating of management plans for protected areas and protected territories including marine waters, taking into account the requirements of the MSFD. """"Marine Protected Area"""" (MPA) within the meaning of item 9 of § 1 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Ordinance on Environmental Protection in Black Sea (promulgated, State Gazette, issue 94 of 30.11.2010, as amended and supplemented) is a territory including protected areas within the meaning of the Biodiversity Act, protected territories within the meaning of the Protected Areas Act and territories designated under international or regional agreements to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party.

National actions for the implementation of the measure: Preparatory work for supplementing/amending/adapting the legislative framework, if necessary; Conducting consultations with stakeholders and the public; Adoption of legislative amendments. Currently, a regulatory mechanism is lacking for a number of activities that could affect the marine environment, which prevents the effective mitigation of potential negative impacts on marine ecosystems. Such activities include, for example, the harvesting of certain shellfish species from their natural habitats, the use of dispersants, dredging and disposal operations, and others. The existing legislation does not require alignment or integration of investment proposals, plans, and programmes with the Marine Strategy, which significantly hampers its implementation and is an obstacle to the effective execution of the programme of measures. This highlights the need for a gap analysis of the current legislation and its improvement. Although the measure is not directly aimed at achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) of the marine environment, it is essential for ensuring compliance with the Directive’s requirements, and consequently, for achieving GES.

Development of a Black Sea Management Plan for the protected areas or parts thereof falling within the marine areas of the Republic of Bulgaria, in accordance with Art. 27, para. 4 of the Biodiversity Act and carrying out the necessary scientific research in this regard, arising from the specific objectives of the individual protected areas

The measure includes an assessment of the suitability of existing dredged material disposal sites and, if necessary, proposals for new areas. It is related to the collection of information for the future construction or reconstruction of existing marine protection structures, including dredging and disposal activities, as well as activities related to the maintenance of navigation channels providing access to Bulgarian seaports.

In order to preserve species diversity, the PMDRA will finance the following activities that contribute to the increase, management and monitoring of marine protected areas and Natura 2000 areas: - horizontal measures for the promotion of the spatial protection of marine protected areas, which sufficiently support the conservation of biodiversity. - management, restoration, surveillance and monitoring of Natura 2000 areas, taking into account the NPRD and the priority activities identified therein; - carrying out risk analyses for habitats and species of interest for fisheries to achieve the conservation objectives of Natura 2000 areas - raising awareness and supporting fishing operators for sustainable activity in the network of marine protected areas, conducting campaigns among citizens - implementing nature-based solutions - engaging fishermen, mainly from small-scale fisheries, in the joint management of marine protected areas and areas closed to fishing, according to Objective 1. Fisheries and ecosystems. Healthy seas and productive fisheries from the GFCM strategy - actions aimed at achieving the objectives of good ecological status, in line with the Water Framework Directive (e.g. protection and restoration of migratory species, reduction of the impact of rivers on coastal and marine waters)

Measures - RBMP 2022-2027 Prohibition of activities in Natura 2000 NEM protection areas when the activities are in violation of the requirements and conditions in the declaration orders, management plans and the specific objectives of the areas

The measure is planned for implementation under the Procedure """"Improving the conservation status of marine habitat types by improving and promoting knowledge about the marine environment"""". Development of management plans for activities in the relevant areas

The measure is planned for implementation under the Procedure """"Protection of the Ecological State of Sea Water"""". Extraction of small-sized classes of Rapana venosa using environmentally friendly fishing methods. Processing of catches, etc. Training of divers. Purchase of diving equipment.

The measure is planned for implementation under the """"Control and Enforcement"""" Procedure. The measure includes compensation for the temporary cessation of white mussel fishing.

The measure is planned for implementation under the Procedure """"Protection of the Ecological Status of Sea Water"""". The measure includes a study of the populations of typical shellfish species (black mussel Mytilus galloprovincialus) subjected to fishing pressure (for black mussel, as bycatch in rapano fishing and some fish species).