Long-term strategic objectives have been set, related to the horizontal policies of the EU, to which the transformation of the fishing sector through gear selectivity, low-carbon fishing, the introduction of innovations and the achievement of good environmental status also contribute, as follows: - investments in selective fishing gears with low impact on fish populations (e.g. winterers, GPS coordinates of gillnets for the prevention of ghost fishing) - introduction of innovations in fishing and on board ships, to protect biodiversity and reduce fuel consumption, transfer of knowledge """"from laboratories to the market"""" - introduction of systems for accurate and reliable reporting of catches in terms of selectivity, determination of the amount of catch and avoidance of unwanted ones, reduction of by-catch (Trawl monitoring systems) - installation on fishing gears of devices and systems for repelling cetaceans (pingers and PAL devices) - in line with the GFCM pilot project for the assessment of by-catch of cetaceans in turbot nets - low-carbon fishing techniques (technique and facilities that allow the use of less fuel during the fishing process) - replacing elements of fishing gear with those that improve the energy efficiency of fishing - installing artificially created underwater structures designed to stimulate the development of underwater life, in order to preserve habitats and improve aquatic biodiversity - renewable energy sources or investments in energy-efficient installations to reduce CO2emissions (e.g. installation of solar energy systems for ship lighting, replacement of pumping installations with high-efficiency ones, heating installations, energy-efficient lifting installations, fish processing facilities, transport and retail) - compensation to operators for passive collection and recycling of waste caught in fishing gear (Article 18 of the NPRD). Compensation for lost profits and additional costs due to marine litter getting into fishing gear during fishing - active cleaning of the Danube River and the Black Sea from litter and fishing gear (prevention of the so-called """"ghost fishing"""") through organized campaigns and engagement of both fishermen and divers depending on the specifics of the cleaning area and ensuring the costs of fuel, remuneration and others directly related to the events - information campaigns to raise awareness among public authorities and citizens to prevent pollution of the sea from fishing and aquaculture (measure 18 of the NPRD) - investments in the installation of marine litter facilities on board the ship - raising awareness among public authorities and citizens through campaigns on the need to protect biodiversity, and the impact of human activities on the marine ecosystem and on reducing carbon emissions - conducting educational activities to protect the aquatic environment from early childhood For the activities on active cleaning of the Danube River and the Black Sea from litter and fishing gear (prevention of so-called """"ghost fishing""""), the application of simplified costs is envisaged.

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 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 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 implementation of the measure includes: a study on the characteristics of noise generated by offshore installations and the threshold levels beyond which it has a negative impact on marine animals; Introduction into Bulgarian legislation of threshold values for underwater noise in the marine environment, generated by oil and gas exploration and extraction activities, based on the results of the conducted studies; Specification of the requirements to be observed when authorizing oil and gas exploration and extraction activities, based on the study results; Regulation of control requirements

The scope of the measure includes the following activities: study of existing methodologies and practices related to the development and implementation of monitoring programmes for underwater noise within the meaning of the MSFD; Collection of data on the main sources of anthropogenic noise in Bulgarian marine waters; Description of the characteristics of potential anthropogenic noise sources; In situ measurements of underwater noise generated by shipping; Assessment of noise produced by different types of vessels and its spatial distribution; Noise modelling based on AIS data, measurement, and evaluation of the spatial distribution of noise from different vessel types, with the aim of creating so-called “noise maps” The study of underwater noise will be synchronized with the collection of missing data on marine mammals. The noise register developed under the measure will be further expanded into an operational tool for the purposes of the MSFD (Descriptor 11). The implementation of the measure will provide the missing data on the characteristics of underwater noise generated by marine-based activities and will allow for the identification of trends in its variation. The execution of the measure will support the monitoring programme under Descriptor 11 and the planning of specific follow-up actions.

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)

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 """"Control and Law Enforcement"""" Procedure and includes the implementation of activities such as: Purchase of equipment and training in its use for integrated monitoring. Purchase, training and use of unmanned aerial vehicles for control of prohibited human activities in protected areas, etc.

The measure is planned for implementation under the Procedure """"Protection of the Ecological State of Sea Water"""". The measure includes the construction of a center for monitoring threats to cetaceans, using remote methods, etc.

Identification and clearance of remnants of abandoned anthropogenic infrastructure in areas with habitat distribution and in the immediate vicinity of them (up to 200 m) (for Balchishka Tuzla), which are municipal/state property.

Passive and active restoration in territories (state or municipal property) that have been disturbed/damaged, etc.