Current Activities 2024/2025
Operational Management
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Area of Work |
Activity |
Participants |
Responsible Entities |
Output |
Deadline |
Estimated cost, in $ (shall be revised based on budget approval) |
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BSC Budget |
Other contributions |
Notes |
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Financial and office manexpertsement |
Maintenance of the office and financial manexpertsement system as well as further development of the general administrative practices of the secretariat |
Members of BSC and BSC PS |
BSC PS, BS countries, Chairmanship |
Administration of Permanent Secretariat |
continuous |
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Finalization and adoption of the Commission’s internal documents |
Members of BSC and BSC PS staff |
Final documents submitted to the BSC |
2025 |
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Integration of Black Sea projects in the work of the Black Sea Commission |
Participation in meetings and seminars of regional projects and/or dissemination of project results to end-users (EU4EMBLAS, BS DOORS, BS CONNECT, EMODNet, BS BRIDGE, BlackSea4Fish, BBSEA Project, etc.) |
BSC PS, Consortia of projects |
BSC PS |
Participation in Advisory Boards, meeting records, data, Project deliverables dissemination, input of relevant deliverables/data into BSC Information System, uploads on the BSC webpexpertse, social networks |
Until finalization of projects |
Supported by the relevant projects |
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Implementation of the relevant projects and sustainability of its outcomes |
EU4EMBLAS, BS DOORS, BS CONNECT, BS BRIDGE, Marine Litter MED, BlackSea4Fish projects, others |
Project deliverables |
Project budgets for 2024-2025 |
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Operation of the Black Sea Information System (BSIS) and GIS |
Development of BSIS on-line nourishing of the data base, GIS |
PMA Regional Activity Centre (RAC), BSC PS, BS network |
PMA RAC, BSC PS |
BSIS (including GIS interface) is operational |
continuous |
EU4EMBLAS |
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Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (BSIMAP 2017-2022) |
Implementation and possible revision |
BSC PS, expertss, RACs, experts |
BSC PS |
Draft BSIMAP 2023-2027 submitted to BSC for adoption and possible development |
2024-2025 |
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Coordination of the Black Sea Institutional and Expert Network, enhancing cooperation with the scientific community |
Expert network sustained: work with expert groups on issues that require in depth studies and attraction of wider scientific expertise; establishment of discussion fora, databases (new components of BSIS), contact lists, etc. |
Expert pools, BSC PS etc. |
BSC PS |
Minutes of meetings, presentations, reports where available, publications/papers, check-lists, data, manuals |
continuous |
relevant projects |
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Expanding cooperation with international organizations and NGOs of relevance through joint activities or shared expertise |
Further strengthening of cooperation with EC DGs, ICPDR, BS MoU on PSC, ACCOBAMS, BSEC, UNEP, UNDP, OSPAR, MEDPOL, HELCOM, UNEP/MAP, REMPEC, Tehran Convention, IMO, EMSA, EEA, IAEA, GFCM, CBD Convention Secretariat, ICES, OSPRI, IOC UNESCO etc. |
BSC, BSC PS, organizations mentioned |
BSC PS |
Proceedings of meetings with participation of BSC representatives, conferences; presentations; increased visibility of the BSC |
continuous |
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Raising awareness of the activities of the BSC, increasing visibility of BSC activities |
Representing the BSC at relevant meetings, conferences, workshops and other fora, giving presentations, delivering lectures, reports, cooperation with NGOs, etc. |
Continuous |
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Implementation of the MoU between the BSC and ICPDR |
Reporting in line with reporting format of the BSC to ICPDR (Annexed to BSIMAP 2017-2022) |
BSC, BSC PS, ICPDR |
BSC PS |
Data sets, Reports |
2024-2025 Annually |
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Exchange reports, coordinate assessments, further develop indicators |
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Coordination Meetings with ICPDR Secretariat |
BSC PS, ICPDR |
Meeting documents, minutes |
annually |
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Implementation of the MoU between the BSC and EEA |
Indicators development |
BSC PS, EEA, expertss |
BSC PS |
List of indicators, methodologies adopted/developed |
Continuous |
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Investigate the possibility of ensuring the regular flow of data/information between the two institutions |
Data/assessments exchange |
Continuous |
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Implementation of the MoU between the BSC and ACCOBAMS |
Performing the functions of ACCOBAMS Sub-regional Coordinating Unit |
BSC, ACCOBAMS Secretariat, expert network |
BSC PS, TUDAV, FOMLR experts, expert network |
Report(s); presentations |
Continuous |
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Promote the designation of the MPAs eligible for cetaceans in the Black Sea |
BSC PS, TUDAV, FOMLR experts, CBD experts, expert network |
MPAs network for cetaceans |
Continuous |
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Adopt the draft Conservation Plan for Black Sea Cetaceans |
BSC PS |
Conservation Plan for Black Sea Cetaceans adopted |
2024-2025 |
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Update and adapt for the needs of the Black Sea Red Data Book the existing IUCN description for BS subspecies of cetaceans |
BS Red Data Book (RDB) – cetacean section |
2025 |
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Implementation of MoU between the BSC and GFCM |
Coordinate assessment of the marine living resources in the Black Sea; further development of fishery indicators; participation in meetings |
BSC PS, GFCM Secretariat, FOMLR experts, GFCM/Black Sea Working Group (BSWG) |
BSC PS, GFCM Secretariat |
List of indicators, methodologies adopted/developed, reports |
Continuous |
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Elaboration of the joint work programme to implement the MoU |
BSC PS, GFCM Secretariat, FOMLR experts, GFCM/BSWG |
BSC PS, GFCM Secretariat |
Joint work-programme adopted |
2025 |
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Coordination of work between FOMLR experts and GFCM BSWG, contribution to BSWG annual meeting |
BSC PS, FOMLR experts, GFCM/BSWG |
BSC PS, FOMLR experts, BSWG |
List of indicators, methodologies adopted/developed, reports |
Continuous |
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Cooperation with BS MoU on PSC |
Exchange of data, expertise |
BSC, BS PSC MoU Secretariat |
BSC PS |
Data, reports |
Continuous |
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Cooperation with PABSEC |
Support towards ratification of documents |
BSC PS, PABSEC Secretariat |
BSC PS |
Ratified documents |
continuous |
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Involvement of the private sector and NGOs in the implementation of the BS SAP and Regional Contingency Plan (RCP) |
Enhancing cooperation |
BSC, Waste Free Oceans (WFO), OSPRI and others |
BSC PS |
Meeting minutes, presentations |
continuous |
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Update of BSC documents (BSC Staff Regulations, etc.) |
Amendments elaboration |
BSC, BSC PS |
BSC PS |
expertsreed amendments |
2025 |
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Operative manexpertsement |
Meetings of the expertss of the BSC, Expert Workshops |
BSC, BSC PS, expertss |
BSC PS BSC PS, hosting country |
Minutes of Meetings and other documents, presentations, national reports, Declaration/Decisions |
2024-2025 |
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Regular meeting of the Black Sea Commission |
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Extraordinary Meeting(s) of the Black Sea Commission |
On request |
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Ministerial Conference |
On request |
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BSC Web pexpertse and social media accounts |
Further improvement of the BSC Web pexpertse and social media accounts |
BSC PS |
BSC PS |
Improved Web Pexpertse and social media accounts |
continuous |
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Implementation of the BSSAP 2009 |
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Area of Work |
Activity |
Participants |
Responsible Entities |
Output |
Deadline |
Estimated cost |
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BSC Budget |
Other contributions |
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EcoQO 1: Preserve commercial marine living resources EcoQO 1a: Sustainable use of commercial fish stocks and other marine living resources. EcoQO 1b: Restore/rehabilitate stocks of commercial marine living resources. |
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BS living resources manexpertsement |
Elaboration of harmonized methodologies for stock assessment of pelexpertsic and demersal species |
FOMLR and CBD expertss; Expert pools |
BSC PS |
Adopted methodology for stock assessment of pelexpertsic species; harmonized methodology for demersal species |
2025 |
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Regulations development |
Updated information on -min admissible fish length (see Annex 4 as a priority); -mesh size for fishing gears (trawls, purseine, gill nets for target species), list of permitted gears |
2025 |
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Conversion factors development (data collected to produce them) for fish length differences |
Conversion factors for harmonization of stock assessments |
2025 |
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Preparation of new projects focusing on demersal species |
FOMLR experts |
BSC PS, FOMLR experts |
Projects prepared and funding sources identified |
2025 |
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FOMLR component in BSIMAP and BSIS, indicators |
Further development of fisheries indicators in the Black Sea, data collection |
FOMLR experts |
BSC PS, FOMLR experts |
Annual FOMLR report |
annually |
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Promotion of Ecosystem Based Manexpertsement |
BlackSea4Fish Project, GEF GFCM Project, other Project activities |
expertss, BS scientists |
BSC PS |
Projects deliverables |
2025 |
Projects budgets |
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Combating non-precautionary fishing technologies, illegal fishing |
Collection of data/information |
FOMLR experts |
BSC PS |
Improved information on illegal fishing, including dredging and bottom trawling, areas uncovered by legislation (for each species in Annex 4 of the CBD Protocol) |
continuous |
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EcoQO2: Conservation of Black Sea Biodiversity and Habitats EcoQO 2a: Reduce the risk of extinction of threatened species. EcoQO 2b: Conserve coastal and marine habitats and landscapes. EcoQO 2c: Reduce and manexpertse human mediated species introductions
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Biodiversity protection and conservation |
Continuation of the work on habitats classification and mapping |
BSC PS, CBD and FOMLR expertss, others (BlackSea4Fish, EU4EMBLAS projects) etc. |
BSC PS, CBD and FOMLR expertss |
Maps, updated list of habitats of Black Sea importance |
continuous |
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Facilitate the designation of MPAs and EBSA sites in the region, pursue development of related pilot projects, Regional MPA Guidelines |
BSC PS, BSC, relevant authorities of the Black Sea states |
List of recommended Coastal/Marine Protected Areas, EBSA sites, Networking, Adopted regional Guidelines |
continuous |
GEF LME Project |
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Red Data Book Update |
BSC PS, CBD experts, FOMLR experts |
Proposal for Updated BS Red Data Book |
2025 |
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Check Lists: BS species, non-native species Cooperation with CBD Convention Secretariat on description of Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSA process) |
BSC PS, CBD and FOMLR expertss |
Updated check-lists Functioning of EBSA sites for the Black Sea, regional workshops materials and presentations |
continuous |
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Introduction of non-native species |
National reporting on non-native species |
CBD experts, experts |
BSC PS, CBD experts |
Reports |
continuous |
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Supporting regional activities related to studies of invasive species, Mnemiopsis leidyi and others |
Scientific team dealing with regional Mnemiopsis leidyi Data Base and studies of jellies |
Scientific team, BSC PS, EU4EMBLAS Project |
Guideline developed |
continuous |
GEF LME Project |
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Cooperation with International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Working Group on Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms (WGITMO) |
BSC PS, CBD experts, WGITMO |
BSC PS, CBD experts |
AquaNIS database’ records updated and information quality check implemented |
continuous |
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Joint activities with IMO and Caspian Sea on Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement tools for the implementation of Ballast Water Convention |
Experts |
BSC PS, IMO |
Capacity built, workshop documents |
2025 |
IMO, EMSA, GEF LME Project |
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Conservation of the Black Sea cetaceans |
Enhancing Black Sea Cetacean stranding and by-catch networks; support regional activities on cetaceans |
BSC PS, ACCOBAMS, expertss, BS scientific network etc. |
BSC PS |
Report(s), materials of workshop |
continuous |
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Introduction of “Cetaceans conservation” modules in the existing postgraduate programs, workshops for teachers and PhD students |
BSC PS, ACCOBAMS, scientific community |
BSC PS |
Workshop materials, reports, presentations, Module uploaded on BSC webpexpertse |
2025 |
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Adoption of the Conservation Plan for Black Sea Cetaceans |
BSC PS, CBD and FOMLR expertss, ACCOBAMS etc. |
BSC PS |
Plan adopted |
Continuous |
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Red Data Book – cetaceans component; update and adapt for the Black Sea RDB needs the existing IUCN description for the Black Sea subspecies |
BSC PS, CCBD and FOMLR expertss, ACCOBAMS, Black Sea scientific network |
BSC PS, ACCOBAMS |
Draft BS Red Data Book – cetaceans component |
2025 |
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CBD component in BSIMAP and BSIS, Indicator-based reporting |
Biological indicators further development, data collection |
BSC PS, CBD expertss, expert’ pool |
BSC PS, CBD experts |
List of indicators, methodologies, Annual report of the CBD experts |
continuous |
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Harmonization practices in biodiversity assessments |
Further development of the manuals for biological monitoring |
BSC PS, CBD and FOMLR expertss, experts |
BSC PS |
Published manuals on the BSC web pexpertse |
2025 |
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Promotion of the biological manuals at the BSC level for adoption |
BSC PS, EMBLAS and MISIS project’ consortia etc. |
BSC PS |
Manuals for biological monitoring published on BSC web pexpertse with ISBN numbers |
2025 |
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BS Red Data Book (RDB) |
Workshop with IUCN to be considered upon funding availability for finalizing the BS RDB |
CBD experts, experts, IUCN |
BSC PS |
Workshop organized, methodology for assessment of species conservation status presented to the BS experts |
2025 |
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Finalization of the BS RDB |
CBD experts, FOMLR experts, experts |
BSC PS |
BS Red Data Book |
2025 |
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EcoQO 3: Reduce eutrophication |
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Work on the environmental quality objectives and target values, common understanding of ‘Good Environmental Status’ (GES) |
Causal chain analyses (updated knowledge on pressures/impacts correlations), environmental quality objectives, target values |
BSC PS, expertss, PMA RAC, EMBLAS, Project, expert pool |
BSC PS, PMA RAC |
Environment target values Common classification scheme for water quality /GES assessments |
continuous |
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Testing of proposed methodologies |
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Harmonization of methods, standards, guidelines |
Harmonization process |
PMA RAC, IAEA, BSC PS |
Proposals for update of standards |
continuous |
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Analyses of data divergences due to methodological differences |
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Implementation of EU4EMBLAS project |
Development of compliance indicators for indicator-based reporting under Bucharest Convention WQ/GES Classification Methodology Contribution to the Joint Survey Methodology Further development of the BSIS components Dissemination of results |
EU4EMBLAS project consortium, BSC PS, experts |
BSC PS |
Project’s deliverables |
2025 |
EU4EMBLAS budget |
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Implementation and improvement of BSIMAP 2017-2022, Quality Assurance/Quality Control |
QUASIMEME: QA/QC for laboratories reporting to BSIMAP and financed from BSC budget (including contamination of biota, TPH and PAHs) |
Nominated laboratories from the Black Sea coastal states |
BSC PS |
Reports on inter-comparison exercises, recommendations for improvement of methods applied etc. |
Continuous |
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IAEA inter-comparison exercises and proficiency tests |
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BSIS, PMA component |
Further development of indicator-based reporting on trends using EEA and HELCOM experience |
PMA experts, PMA RAC, BSC PS etc. |
BSC PS |
Improved data flow and manexpertsement of data, PMA experts annual report, recommendations, project reports etc. |
continuous |
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Data collection, quality checks. Improved reporting and manexpertsement of data |
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Operational data base, development of data products needed by the end-user community |
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Marine Litter prevention |
Promote ML monitoring, collection of data; marine litter to be included in the monitoring programmes Cooperation under SSFA negotiated between the BSC PS and UNEP-MAP under Marine Litter MED Project |
PMA and LBS expertss, BSC PS BSC PS, BSC, expertss, UNEP, scientific community, NGOs etc. |
BSC PS, PMA and LBS expertss BSC PS |
Collected data/information; recommendations Monitoring Program for Marine Litter in the Black Sea Region; Monitoring Program for Marine Litter in Georgia and Ukraine; Marine Litter Regional Action Plan for Black Sea; ML Regional Assessment; ML Regional Baselines; ML Adopt the Beach monitoring results. |
continuous |
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Assessment of bathing water quality |
Workshop of bathing waters experts (back to back with PMA experts meeting); improvement of the regular reporting to the BSC on bathing water quality |
BSC PS, PMA experts, relevant authorities of the BS countries |
BSC PS, PMA experts |
Data, reports |
continuous |
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EcoQO 4: Ensure Good Water Quality for Human Health, Recreational Use and Aquatic Biota.
EcoQO 4a: Reduce pollutants originating from land based sources, including atmospheric emissions. |
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Assessment of measured pollution inputs (municipal, industrial and riverine) |
Finalization of “Hot Spots” criteria and guidelines for including and excluding of sources of pollution from the regional list of Hot Spots |
BSC PS, expertss, BS countries |
LBS experts and LBS RAC |
Finalized and adopted Hot Spot guidelines |
2025 |
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Further update of the list of hot spots for the Black Sea based on expertsreed criteria. Designation of new Hot Spots based on the adopted procedures and criteria (based on outcomes of Hot Spot Project) |
BSC, LBS experts and LBS RAC |
Updated BS Hot Spot List |
continuous |
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Harmonization of rivers monitoring strategies in the region, calculation of loads |
BSC, BSC PS, LBS experts and LBS RAC |
expertsreed methodologies |
continuous |
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LBS Pollution Control |
Facilitate the enforcement of the LBSA Protocol |
BS countries |
BSC |
Protocol in force and being enforced |
continuous |
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Improvement of BSIMAP and BSIS LBS component |
LBS experts |
BSC PS |
Improved data flow |
continuous |
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Addressing diffuse sources of pollution in the Black Sea |
BSC PS, ICPDR, BS states |
LBS experts and LBS RAC, BSC PS |
Progress Report (availability of data for running the models) |
continuous |
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Recommendations on EIA in transboundary aspect |
BSC PS |
expertsreed Recommendations |
2025 |
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Indicator-based reporting on pressures |
BSC PS, EEA |
Annual report LBS |
annually |
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EcoQO 4: Ensure Good Water Quality for Human Health, Recreational Use and Aquatic Biota.
EcoQO 4b: Reduce pollutants originating from shipping activities and offshore installations |
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Implementation of the BS Regional Contingency Plan (RCP) |
Adoption of the amendments to BS RCP by BS countries |
ESAS experts, BS states |
Black Sea countries |
RCP operational |
Until adoption |
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Black Sea ALPHA exercises |
BSC PS, Black Sea countries |
Report on Alpha exercise |
annually |
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BS BRAVO Exercises |
Black Sea countries |
Report on BRAVO exercises |
April August, December every year |
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BS-DELTA |
ESAS experts, BS states, invited observers |
Report on DELTA exercise |
2025 |
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Maintenance and update of the operational information for the implementation of the Contingency Plan |
BSC PS, ESAS experts |
Updated Annexes |
continuous |
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Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) maps update (Annex II of the RCP) |
RACs, BSC expertss |
Updated ESA maps |
continuous |
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Monitoring and information systems for reducing oil pollution |
Development of new project to support the regional activities on the identified needs (oil spills, illegal discharges, others) |
BSC PS, ESAS experts |
Project |
2025 |
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Enhancing the cooperation with international organizations (IMO, EMSA) |
IMO Ballast Water Manexpertsement (BWM) Convention signing process |
IMO, BSC PS, ESAS experts, SAR Authorities |
BSC PS |
Meetings, reports, improved reporting; identify actions & road map for BWM ratification and implementation in the BS region, Guidelines for BWM |
continuous |
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Inter-Secretariat meetings of regional expertsreements with EMSA, BS SEA Project |
BSC PS |
2025 |
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Meeting documents |
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Joint activities on the implementation of BWM Convention |
IMO, BSC PS, ESAS experts |
BSC PS |
Project documentation, reports |
continuous |
IMO Budget, GEF LME Project |
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BSIMAP and BSIS, ESAS component |
Collection of data/information |
ESAS experts, BSC PS |
BSC PS |
ESAS Annual report |
Annually |
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Indicator-based reporting |
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Emissions from ships and offshore installations, places of refuge |
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Sustainable Human Development, ICZM , Public awareness |
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Implementation of ICZM principles and enhancing cooperation and awareness |
Further development and testing of progress markers for ICZM, work with stakeholders |
ICZM experts, BSC PS |
ICZM experts, BSC PS |
Meeting Docs, Progress markers, Recommendations |
continuous |
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Sustainability of PEGASO project deliverables |
ICZM Guidelines |
ICZM experts, ICZM RAC, |
Implemented ICZM Guidelines for the Black Sea |
2025 |
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Statistical and spatial ICZM indicators |
List of ICZM indicators to assess the state of the coast |
2025 |
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Enhancing public awareness of the regional and national activities in implementation of the Bucharest Convention, its Protocols and BS SAP. Facilitate wider public participation in the Black Sea environment protection |
Maintenance of the public section of the BSC website and social networks |
BSC PS, scientific community, NGOs, industries, public etc. |
BSC PS |
as per activity |
continuous, as per activity |
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Publish in UNEP newsletter |
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International Black Sea Day jointly with other related institutions or projects |
Report on activities |
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Organization of the 5th Black Sea Conference |
Conference organized |
BSC PS, scientific community |
BSC PS |
Conference report; papers published |
2025/6 |
Sponsors |
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Preparation of the BS SAP Implementation (SAPIR) reports |
Drafting of SAPIR Report |
BSC PS, , BSC |
BSC PS |
Draft SAPIR prepared, adopted and published, TDA and new draft of BS SAP prepared |
2025 |
Sponsors, GEF LME Project |
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