Protecting Marine Fauna: Bulgaria Joins Initiative

The government has authorized the Minister of Environment and Water to take a key step in the conservation of marine fauna. The government press service announced that the Minister has received a mandate to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Environment and Water of Bulgaria and the Secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Adjacent Atlantic Ocean.

Created under the auspices of the UN Convention on Migratory Species, the agreement represents an important instrument for the protection of these marine inhabitants. The goal is to achieve and maintain a favorable conservation status for cetaceans through the implementation of coordinated measures. Its scope is broad, encompassing key habitats for many cetacean species. It is sad to note that many of them are classified as endangered in the Red List of the convention. These creatures are subject to increasing pressure from human activities. Overfishing, pollution, underwater noise and habitat degradation are the main threats to their survival.

By signing the memorandum, the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water commits to partially fund research aimed at improving the conservation of cetaceans. The development of new techniques for their protection is planned. These studies will be conducted in the Mediterranean Sea in 2026 and in the Black Sea in 2027. The financial commitment of the Bulgarian side for the entire three-year period of the memorandum amounts to 46,500 euros. The necessary funds will be included in the ministry_q_s budget within the approved funds for the respective year.

The project, on which the studies are being carried out, has a duration of three years and has a total value of 3.3 million euros. Other countries have also joined this endeavor with financial support. France has provided a significant voluntary financial contribution of 1.6 million euros. Italy has given 600,000 euros, and the Principality of Monaco - 150,000 euros. The US Navy has also joined with 130,000 euros.

At the same time, the gloomy figures show a worrying reality. According to a report by the international non-governmental organizations for the conservation of wildlife Pro Wildlife and Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), cited by DPA, in 2023 more than 80,000 small cetaceans or marine mammals were killed. This statistic underscores the need for urgent action to protect these species and to combat the causes that lead to their death.