Four options for the development of the Black Sea region in the Maritime Spatial Plan of Bulgaria

A public discussion of the draft Maritime Spatial Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria 2021-2035 was held

There are four options for the development of the Black Sea region, considered in the draft Maritime Spatial Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria (MSPRB) for the period 2021-2035. They were presented during the public discussion of the draft Plan, conducted online, organized by the Directorate General for Strategic Planning and Programs for Regional Development, MRDPW.

The four scenarios reflect the main objectives of the Maritime Spatial Plan - economic development, protection of the marine environment and social cohesion. In the first option, the economy is leading by optimal use of marine resources for blue growth. In the second option, the emphasis is on the sustainable marine environment and the conservation of marine ecosystems. The third option pays the greatest attention to social balance, and the fourth, preferred by experts, is for integrated balancing of the three aspects. This option also allows for the sustainable development of maritime policy in the Black Sea region, covering the six countries with access to the Black Sea - Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and Turkey, and combines maritime spatial planning with integrated coastal zone management. According to the experts who prepared the Environmental Assessment Report, the fourth option will allow the preservation of the marine environment, restoration of its good condition, protection of biodiversity and therefore it is the best possible scenario for the development of the Black Sea region.

During today's online public discussion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Rositsa Nikolaeva from the National Centre for Territorial Development Ltd presented the Environmental Assessment Report (EAR) and the Impact Assessment Report (IAR) of the project of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works on protected areas. Prof. Dr. Arch. Vesselina Troeva, head of the expert team that developed the Maritime Spatial Plan, acquainted the participants in detail with the goals and vision of the plan.

Over 60 representatives of municipalities, district administrations, institutions, professional organisations, the non-governmental sector and citizens took part in the discussion.

Nina Stoimenova, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate for Strategic Planning and Programs for Regional Development, said that she expects the draft Maritime Spatial Plan to be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval by the end of this year and after it is published in the State Gazette, to be submitted to the European Commission.

The Maritime Spatial Plan is for the period from 2021 to 2035, and is expected to be updated every 10 years. It will allow optimal use of natural resources and resources in the Black Sea and create conditions for the development of all economic activities in compliance with environmental standards. The plan does not envisage a change in the way of permanent use of the coastal territories, as well as investment initiatives or new construction in accordance with the normative framework for spatial planning.

The documents to the Maritime Spatial Plan, including the Environmental Assessment Report, are published in the section "For Public Discussion" on the website of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. Information can also be found on the Public Consultation Portal.

Until September 10, 2021 is the deadline within which comments, opinions and proposals on the published draft Maritime Spatial Plan can be sent to the official address of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, as well as in electronic form to the e- mail address: oprd@mrrb.government. After this deadline, the results of the discussion will be published on the ministry’s website.