Work progresses on the preparation of a Maritime Spatial Plan for Bulgaria

Analysis of more than 500 documents and preliminary consultations with more than 67 institutions

The progress on the preparation of the Maritime Spatial Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria 2021 - 2035 (MSPRB) was presented at the meeting of the Consultative Council on Marine Spatial Planning.  It was held at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works under the chairmanship of the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Denitsa Nikolova.

The plan is being developed with European funding by the National Centre for Territorial Development, which is a key partner of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.

This is the main strategic document on which we will shape the direction for the use of the marine space in the most optimal way, combining human activities with environmental protection measures, scientific research, educational aspects and others, said Deputy Minister Denitsa Nikolova.

She stressed that the MSPRB is a long-term visionary document that will continue to evolve.

"There are many difficulties not only in its preparation, but also in the implementation phase, so the synergy between all institutions is important," Denitsa Nikolova said.

She noted that Bulgaria has not yet had a comprehensive study of the Black Sea area, so the Maritime Spatial Plan will contribute to strategic management decisions on the use of natural resources and finding a balance between economic and investment interests with environmental protection measures.

The main priorities of the plan are the protection of marine ecosystems, economic development, social assistance, cross-border cooperation, preservation of cultural heritage and the environment, coastal planning, sea routes and shipping, sports and tourism areas, etc.

The Maritime Spatial Plan is also an element of the overall regional planning at national level.  It is linked to the country's maritime strategy and to the National Spatial Development Concept and the integrated spatial development strategies for the North East and South East regions of the country.

Prof. Veselina Troeva, Executive Director of the National Centre for Territorial Development, presented the work on the project.

So far a huge amount of information has been collected and systematized. More than 500 documents have been analysed and more than 67 institutions have been preliminarily consulted.  Functional zoning of the maritime space has been carried out with 20 thematic maps.     Landslides on the Black Sea, abrasions, erosion, aquaculture, biodiversity, tourism and cultural heritage are covered. A sectoral socio-economic development forecast has been developed.  Four forecast scenarios and models have also been prepared.   

Of the more complex tasks that remain to be completed is an environmental assessment of the project.  Stakeholder consultation and cross-border coordination procedures also need to be carried out.

The public consultation on the Maritime Spatial Plan should be completed by the end of the year and the final version submitted to the European Commission by 30 March 2021.