Policy and regulatory framework:

The overall objective of the Blue Economy Policy is to promote sustainable development through efficient coordination and management of marine resources in the Black Sea Region. Policy focuses on harvesting, processing and marketing marine resources such as fisheries and aquaculture products through improved capacity, innovation&digitalization and entrepreneurship initiatives. The policy also focuses on exploring new avenues of fishing engagement with modern fish ports and fleets, storage and processing infrastructure. This policy presents tremendous opportunities for potential investors. They can explore vast marine resources of Black Sea Region and contribute towards establishing a sustainable blue trade economy.

European 

n 2008, the EU adopted the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) to maintain clean, healthy, productive and resilient marine ecosystems while securing a more sustainable use of marine resources. This Directive directly contributes to the ambition of the European Green Deal, namely the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Zero Pollution action plan.

International and European legislation: 

• Common fisheries policy - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1962 of the Commission of 28.10.2015 for amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 404/2011 to determine the detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009 of the Council of 20.11.2009 to create a Community control system to guarantee the compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy; - Regulation (EU) No. 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11.12.2013 on the general policy in the field of fisheries, to amend regulations (EC) No. 1954/2003 and (EC) No. 1224/2009 of the Council and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No. 2371/2002 and (EC) No. 639/2004 and Decision 2004/585/EC of the Council. - Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 for the protection of fish resources and protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, to amend regulations (EC) No. 1967/2006 and (EC) No. 1224/2009 of the Council and of regulations (EU) No. 1380/2013, (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2018/973, (EU) 2019/472 and (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulations (EC) No. 894/97, (EC) No. 850/98, (EC) No. 2549/2000, (EC) No. 254/2002, (EC) No. 812/2004 and (EC) No. 2187/2005 of the Council. - Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of July 7 2021 year for the establishment of the European Fund for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and aquaculture and to amend Regulation (EU) 2017/1004; - Regulation (EU) 2023/2124 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 October 2023 regarding certain provisions for fishing in the area of The Agreement on the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) (reworked); - Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/9 of the General Fisheries Commission on Mediterranean Sea on a regional research program for catching rapan in Black Sea (geographical subarea 29); 
• Regulation 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on prevention and management of introduction and the spread of invasive alien species, applicable from the beginning of 2015 
• Convention for the Protection of the Black Sea from Pollution, 2002. Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (blacksea-commission.org)
• Strategic Action Plan for the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea
• International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention 2004); 
• International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended by the 1978 Protocols (MARPOL 73/78) and the 1997 Protocol. (drawn up in London on November 2, 1972, ratified by law - SG No. 94 of 2004, in force since 12 March 1985, with the 1997 Protocol in force since 19 May 2005) (SG. No. 12 of 2005) and the related Annexes (Annex I "Rules for prevention of oil pollution", Annex II "Rules for the control of pollution with harmful liquid substances in bulk", Annex III "Rules for the prevention of pollution with harmful substances, transportation 13 by sea in a packed state", Annex IV "Rules for the prevention of pollution by ship sewage", Annex V "Rules for prevention of pollution by waste (Garbage) from ships", Annex VI "Rules for the prevention of air pollution from ships")"; 
• Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Marine Environment by deliberate disposal of waste and other materials, 1972 (London Convention 1972), as amended by the 1996 Protocol (London Convention on dumping);
• International Convention for the Control of Harmful Antifouling Systems on ships, 2001;
• Berne Convention, Convention for the Protection of Wild European Flora and Fauna and natural habitats; 
• Convention on Biological Diversity;
• Integrated maritime policy;
• Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing the framework for Community action in the field of water policy; 
• Directive on the protection of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna (Habitat Directive 92/43/EEC) and related legislation; 
• Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament of November 30, 2009. on the protection of wild birds; 
• Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/9/EC) 
• Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of July 23, 2014 year to establish a framework for maritime spatial planning 
• Directive 2015/720/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 29 2015 year to amend Directive 94/62/EC regarding reduction of the consumption of thin plastic shopping bags 
• Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 5, 2019 d. on reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (OJ, L 155 of June 12, 2019). 
• Directive 91/271 / EEC on waste water treatment from the settlements; 
• Directive 2006 /7/ EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of February 15 2006 for the management of bathing water quality and for

 

Legal framework:

Documents in the legal framework should include a country’s laws, orders, decrees, regulations and contracts related blue economy.

Provide list with links of the national legislative documents of the country in connection with the Maritime transportation and logistics, Maritime Tourism, Aquaculture and Fathering:

Европейски парламент, “Industrial Policy," Briefing (Brussels: European Union,2019),

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2018/630309/EPRS BRI(2018)630309_EN.pdf.

International legal framework: Conventions, Directives and Legal acts in Blue Economy

The EU is particularly active in promoting economic growth based on the sustainable use of oceans and seas (blue growth). The EU's Integrated Maritime Policy (EC, 2007) is based on the idea of interconnectedness between industries and human activities centered on the sea. It promotes a holistic approach to all sea-related policies, with a view to supporting the sustainable development of the seas and oceans and to establish coordinated and transparent decision-making processes in the EU's sectoral sea policies and maritime activities, including through strategies at sea basin and macro-regional level. Consequently, the EU Blue Growth Strategy (EC, 2012) identifies five innovative marine sectors using marine resources with high potential - renewable energy, aquaculture, coastal and marine tourism, biotechnology and seabed mining, in which there are huge opportunities to exploit by expanding these industries in a sustainable manner.

EU legislation on the marine environment and Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is particularly forward-looking. Its aim is to achieve a balance between the protection of marine biological and natural systems and regulated economic development in the sea. Although key sectors of the blue economy, such as coastal and maritime tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, the EU blue economy as a whole is expected to grow in the future and have a huge potential contribution to restoration without lowering environmental standards and undermining natural systems.

In December 2019, the EC adopted a new growth strategy based on the idea of decarbonisation and sustainability by announcing the European Green Deal (EGP or Green Deal) for the EU and its citizens (EC, 2019). The EPP package proposes a successful "transition to a digital, knowledge-based, decarbonised and more circular industry in Europe", aiming to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and improve the health of the planet. the economy and the people. This means, for example, that fossil-intensive marine industries need to decarbonize if they want to keep their licenses and grow. Conversely, the blue economy is seen as a critical prerequisite for achieving the goals of the EEZ, including mitigating the effects and adapting to climate change. For example, the growing potential of renewable energy from offshore installations and the more sustainable management of marine space are considered an important factor in the EU's "green" transition.

EU Blue Economy policies are the cornerstone that could have a transformative effect on the actions of national and local stakeholders and public organizations to limit the impacts on the coastal and marine environment of production and consumption. As a member state of the EU, Bulgaria adheres to the Community acquis, formulating the context in which gaps in the management of marine ecosystems and economies should be overcome. Bulgaria has activated its marine spatial planning procedures (Marine Spatial Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria 2021-2035) to bring together stakeholders and potential beneficiaries of the blue economy, with the aim of achieving sustainable management of coastal and marine resources.

The EU will remain a key player in this process, determining many aspects in the development of national blue economy policy. Among others, this includes fisheries and aquaculture policies, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), the Maritime Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Habitats and Birds Directives, the impact assessment on the environment and strategic environmental assessment, access to environmental information, the Marine Spatial Planning Directive. The EU's MSDS has been in force since 2008 and requires member states to create national marine strategies to "achieve or maintain good environmental status where available" by 2020.

The Bulgarian Marine Strategy for the Black Sea until 2021, which was developed to support the implementation of the RDMS, concludes that due to the significant pressure of human activities in the Black Sea countries, the conditions in marine habitats and ecosystems have deteriorated, especially in coastal marine waters. In 2019, the World Bank and the European Commission (EC) launched the Blue Economy Development Framework (EBRD) to promote a holistic approach in considering the ocean economy and ecological systems in policy-making and investment. The subsequent discussion, regarding the framework that Bulgaria could apply in the path of transition to a more comprehensive development of its blue economy, is a starting point for considering the complementary nature and usefulness of the PRCE. Together with the EU Blue Economy policies and directives, the PRCE would support higher-level solutions to issues of a political nature, by achieving an integrated and coordinated management of all marine-related activities at national level. The RRCE tools, such as MPP, natural capital valuation and the ecosystem approach, offer another unique starting point for Bulgaria to drive the blue transformation of established industries by strengthening the links between productive and healthy ecosystems and the local economy. This, in turn, generates additional benefits that could be derived from interactions between sectors and by opening up new investment opportunities.

Bulgaria has joined the Common Black Sea Agenda (CBA), which is supported by the EU and aims to expand the scope of regional cooperation in the Black Sea around key sectors and move forward the commitments under the Burgas Ministerial Declaration of 2018 - " Towards a common maritime program for the Black Sea'. The Black Sea Strategic Program for Scientific Research and Innovation (SPRII) supports scientific research in key sectors, including biodiversity, cultural heritage and local, national and cross-border policy measures. While the ODRCM facilitates and moves forward the political commitments to cooperation of the Black Sea States, it also highlights the current obstacles to solving pollution problems at the regional level, among them the lack of knowledge, policies and funding. Both ODRCM and SPNII set a new dynamic for better management of marine-related activities, based on enhanced political and operational coordination, while taking into account the added value of joint projects to achieve shared goals. Bulgaria's development in the direction of better management of marine resources could be a valuable example in the Black Sea region, where environmental challenges remain a significant factor inhibiting development. The use of RRSI tools could facilitate and improve the management of the Black Sea Blue Economy, with an emphasis on environmental and social dimensions.

Investment conditions – investment portal of Burgas

Условия за бизнес | Община Бургас - инвестиционен портал (burgas.bg)

Maritime Spatial Plan 2021-2035 - MОРСКИ ПРОСТРАНСТВЕН ПЛАН НА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ ЗА ПЕРИОДА 2021 – 2035 Г.  морски пространствен план на република българия 2021-2035 (ncrdhp.bg)

2. Национална стратегия за адаптация към изменението на климата и План за 

действие до 2030 г.;

 МТИТС, Интегрирана транспортна стратегия в периода до 2030 г. (София: Министерство на транспорта, информационните технологии и съобщенията, 2017 г.), https://www.mtitc.government.bg/sites/default/files/integrated_transport_strategy_2030_bg.pdf  (на български).

Regional Documents 

Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (blacksea-commission.org) The Convention for the Protection of the Black Sea from Pollution, adopted in 1992 Bucharest, reflects the provisions of previous international documents on limitation of pollution adopted in the period 1972–1990. It applies to the Black Sea with a designated southern boundary, being the line which joins the capes Kellagra and Dalyan. (art. 1. para. 1). The paper examines pollution from activities of on land, at sea and on the continental shelf, by ships, dumping or transboundary transfer of hazardous substances.

National documents 

Of the national legal and regulatory documents, only those which have a general application in maritime spatial planning and transpose the cited fundamental conventions and directives. The specialized legislation analyze in relation to the development of the relevant sector.

The Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria, adopted by the Seventh Grand National Assembly determines the rights of the state on the coastal beach strip, on the mainland shelf and in the exclusive economic zone for exploration, development, exploitation, protection and management of the biological, mineral and energy resources of these maritime spaces.

 The Maritime Spaces, Inland Waterways and Ports Act of Republic of Bulgaria (ZMPVVPPRB), publ. State Gazette no. 12/2000, amended and add. State Gazette no. 28/29.03.2018 , regulates the legal regime of maritime spaces, inland waters roads and ports of the country and has as its leading objective "the protection of the sea and the river environment during shipping and the maintenance of the ecological balance”.

The Water Act transposes the provisions of the EU Water Framework Directive, considers the waters of the Republic of Bulgaria as "nationwide indivisible natural resource' and regulates their ownership and integrated management. He aims to guarantees the provision of sufficient quantity and good quality of the surface and groundwater for sustainable, balanced and equitable water use; to protect surface, underground and Black Sea waters from pollution; to reduce harmful impacts of floods and droughts and the risks associated with the modification of the climate. The law regulates the ownership of waters, water bodies and facilities and designates inland sea waters and the territorial sea as exclusive state property (Art. 14 para. 1), and the seabed and its subsoil within these limits for public state property (Art. 12). 

The Law on Regional Development provides for state policy in this area to is based on principles that ensure concentration of resources, interagency coordination of activities in the process of planning, programming, resource provision, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It requires consistency between sectoral and horizontal policies, instruments and actions of international, national, regional and local level and implementation of partnership principles, publicity and transparency. These principles are also the basis of maritime spatial planning. Along with the National Spatial Development Concept for the period 2013-2025 (Update 2019) and the Maritime Spatial Plan coordinates sectoral and horizontal policies. The two documents are related to the national ones sectoral documents and set the guidelines for the development of the lower hierarchical levels - the two Tier 2 planning regions (SIR and SIR), the informal areas and zones, including those for cross-border cooperation, the municipalities located on the coast, whose development enjoys all the advantages of contact with the sea.

 The Spatial Planning Act unifies spatial planning, investment design, construction and control as important elements of the process of creating the built environment and defines the commitments of the responsible institutions in this process. The law relates to maritime spatial planning through the rules for the award, development, approval and implementation of the general development plans of the Black Sea municipalities, the detailed development plans port plans, investment projects for landslide control, erosion and abrasion processes and for the construction of the technical infrastructure. 

The Law on the Organization of the Black Sea Coast governs the public relations in the scope of the Black Sea coast and the beach; the powers and the coordination of the activity of the central and territorial bodies of the executive and the local authority, the rules and regulations for arrangement, use, construction and protection of the Black Sea coast, beach management and provision of services. It aims to provide integrated and coordinated coastal management zones; public access to sea beaches; preservation, storage and reasonable use of natural resources; prevention and reduction of pollution of the Black Sea coast; protection of the sea coast from erosion, abrasion and landslides processes; restoration and protection of the natural landscape and cultural heritage. The coast also includes the 200-meter zone of the water area, measured from the shore a line that is actively used for recreation and water sports. Ownership of the beaches is exclusive to the state, they can be rented out to concession for a period of 20 years. Public state property that cannot be declared private, apart from the beaches, are coastal fortification and coastal protection systems and facilities for protection against the harmful effects of water, built in properties, state property, outside populated areas; the adjacent coastal lakes, lagoons, estuaries and wetlands; the sand dunes; the islands, including those created in result of human activity. Coastal protection and shore fortification facilities, outside the range of properties, state property, are public municipal property. Zones with different device modes are defined with the ZUCHK in accordance with their attractiveness, sensitivity and busyness. Zone "A", with special regime territorial planning protection covers the part of the Black Sea water area with 200 m wide, measured from the coastline, the coastal beach and part of the territory falling within a 100 m wide strip outside the populated areas, measured by horizontally from the borders of the sea coast or sea beaches. Zone "B", with specific characteristics and a special regime for the protection of territorial resources, covers the territories in the strip with a width of 2 km from the border of zone "A", except of the urbanized territories. It is in these boundaries of the two zones that the most important interactions between the spatial planning of the territory and the water area. 

The Biodiversity Act focuses on the elements of the national ecological network created to preserve biological diversity. It does not propose different regulations for the protection of protected habitats and of protected and threatened species for marine spatial planning purposes. The protected areas in the waters of the Black Sea are part of the National ecological network (NEM) and from the ecological network NATURA 2000 of the European Union, to which the same restrictions and requirements, rules and norms apply as to those located along the coast and inland. For the purposes of the Marine spatial plan, only those elements of the NEM that are in the water area are considered or in the coastal part of the adjacent coastal zone in contact with the sea. 

The Law on Protected Areas treats in an analogous way as the Law on biodiversity protected areas and defines different categories, governs their "purpose and mode of preservation and use, announcement and management'. According to Art. 5. of this law and in accordance with world practice c Bulgaria, the categories reserve, national park, natural landmark, maintained reserve, natural park and protected area. Within the scope of the marine spatial plan, only those protected areas whose ecological balance and biodiversity depend on or can affect the state of the marine environment. 

The Law on Underground Resources regulates the conditions and procedure for search, exploration and extraction of underground resources on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, in the continental shelf and in the exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea; the protection of the earth's subsoil and waste management from exploration, extraction and processing activity. It does not apply to the extraction of salts and elements from seawater. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act48 regulates relations related to the ownership, organization, management, use and protection of fish resources in the waters of the Republic of Bulgaria, trade in fish and other aquatic organisms. The law aims to ensure “sustainable development of fish resources, recovery and conservation of biological balance and enrichment of their diversity in aquatic ecosystems; commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture development and promotion the consumption of fish and fish products in the country". An important place is devoted to the protection of fish resources and measures and activities are provided that directly concern Black Sea waters - catch, methods and equipment for fishing, terms and prohibitions. 

The Health Act defines the coastal beach as a resort resource and the localities with favorable bioclimatic conditions for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation conditions. The Minister of Health together with the Minister of Regional development and public works, the Minister of Environment and Water and the Minister of tourism shall determine the terms and conditions for the use and protection of the resort resources and determine the capacity of these territories and the water area. Security zones and a security regime for coastal protection are approved beach and the areas with favorable and suitable for prevention, treatment and rehabilitation bioclimatic conditions, as well as for the exploitation of the beaches by The Black Sea coast, the requirements for which are developed in Ordinance No. 14 for resort resources, resort areas and resorts. Each sector regulates the main activities, regimes, rights and obligations, protection from pollution, assistance in the event of accidents and disasters, including in maritime spaces, with specific laws and regulations. All these important international, community, regional, national legislative and strategic documents are the basis of the forecast predictions of the sea spatial plan of the Republic of Bulgaria

National legislation:

• Environmental Protection Act (EPA)
• Biodiversity Act (BAD)
• Protected Areas Act (PAA)
• Water Law (WA)
• Law on maritime spaces, inland waterways and ports of Republic of Bulgaria (ZMPVPPPRB)
• Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (FAA)
• Law on Waste Management (WMA)
• Climate Change Limitation Act
• Ordinance for the Protection of the Environment in Marine Waters (NOESMV)
• Ordinance to reduce the impact of certain plastic products on the environment and related by-laws

Link to National Strategy Papers

The maritime strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria and the program of measures for the period 2022-2027 is related to the following national strategic documents:

• National recovery and sustainability plan;
• Marine Spatial Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria 2021 – 2035 (MPPRB);
• National Waste Management Plan 2021-2028;
• National action plan on climate change;
• National Climate Change Adaptation Plan and Action Plan by 2030; Адаптация - Международни преговори и адаптация - Климат | МОСВ (government.bg)
• National program for the prevention and limitation of landslides the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, erosion and abrasion along the Danube and The Black Sea Coast 2015-2020;
• National emergency plan to combat oil spills in the Black Sea (part of National Disaster Protection Plan);
• Strategy for the transition to a circular economy of the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2022 – 2027;
• Action plan in implementation of the strategy for transition to a circular one

economy 2022-2027;

• Strategy for the biological diversity of the Republic of Bulgaria;
• Plan for the management of river basins in the Black Sea Basin Region (BSRB)

2022 – 2027 (project);

• Black Sea Basin Flood Risk Management Plan (PURN) 2022 – 2027 

 

Link to other policies and documents 

A key document in Marine Spatial Planning is the UNESCO manual "Marine Spatial Planning, A Step-by-Step Approach" based on the ecosystem management approach"Marine spatial planning: a step-by-step approach toward ecosystem-based management - UNESCO Digital Library. It presents the most valuable of the world practice of the first step – the realization of the need for such kind of planning to the adaptation of the plan to the changes and the specific local conditions of finding the alternative solutions to achieve the goals in the application process. At the beginning of In 2019, Bulgaria successfully completed part of the initial steps. In European program and strategic documents from the beginning of the present century, formed the guidelines of the EU's spatial policy, the focus is the territory, regional and urban development, reducing disparities in rural areas, transport and the main entrances to Europe - the ports. Despite the clear connection with the activities carried out in the seas and oceans, such as maritime transport, which covers more than 90% of EU transport, maritime spatial planning is separated negligible attention. The integrated management of coastal zones and the sea spatial planning have always been seen as two separate tools of the integrated maritime policy. And now each member state must produce two the document - Maritime Strategy and Maritime Spatial Plan. 

The European Maritime Security Strategy is a policy binding plan for security of the EU with the Integrated Maritime Policy and is aimed at the main challenges that affect people, activities and infrastructure. It is built on 4 main principles – cross-sectoral coordination, functional integration, multilateral cooperation and compliance to achieve greater efficiency. The strategy has a complex nature and covers measures for the general security and peace, freedom of navigation, compliance with maritime law, control on the external borders of the EU, maritime infrastructure (ports, coastguards, submarine cables and pipelines, offshore platforms and scientific equipment research), natural resources, quality of the marine environment and adaptation to climate change. The scope is much larger than national maritime strategies of the EU member states focused primarily on environmental aspects and the state of the marine environment. The Common Agenda for the Black Sea, officially put up for discussion on February 17 2020.56 , aims to identify the important projects for the region, but also to support the development of knowledge and responsibility for the maritime space, carrying the example of coordinated actions from other maritime regions in the EU. This strategic program for development of the blue economy in the Black Sea countries is a continuation of the work on building on the common vision (Burgas, 2018) and defining common goals and priorities for marine scientific research and innovation. At the national level, the Maritime Spatial Plan is linked to two equally important the strategic document - The Maritime Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria (2016-2021) and the national spatial development concept for the period 2013-2025. (Update 2019) The first document was prepared in accordance with the requirements of Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on establishing a framework for Community action in the field of marine policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive). Naval strategy spans the Initial assessment of the state of the marine environment (Article 8 RDMS), the definitions of good state of the marine environment (Article 9 RDMS) and the determination of environmental objectives and related indicators (Art. 10 RDMS), developed in 201257 with the participation of Institute of Oceanology at BAS. In 2014, the second part - the Program - was developed for monitoring.58 The program of measures is the third part of the Maritime Strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria and was developed in the period 2015-2016 by the Black Sea Basin Directorate. By means of the descriptors proposed in RDMS 11, the changes which occur as a result of the impact of wastewater from treatment networks and facilities, of agriculture, industry, shipping, ports and port activity, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism and recreation and sports activities, of other research activities in the marine environment. The load from different sources of pressure were investigated in the period 2000-2011 and identified the areas with a high degree of pollution - Varna and Burgas bays, and with a high risk from pollution - the areas of Shabla and the mouth of the Kamchia River. The evaluation of the socio-economic development of the sectors carrying out activities in the marine environment and directly or indirectly affecting its condition was carried out for the period 2006–2011. The Marine Strategy is accompanied by an Environmental Assessment in accordance with the regulations of Directive 2001/42/EC and the Ordinance on the conditions and procedures for carrying out environmental evaluation of plans and programs, an integral part of which is the Report on the evaluation of the degree of impact. The monitoring of the marine environment is carried out by the IO team at the BAS, and the annual reports are accepted and published by the BDCR. In order to implement a better methodological link to this document, it is this information that forms the basis of component analysis and of the state of the environment in the marine spatial plan to form the forecast scenarios and priorities for a conflict-free combination of the diverse activities in maritime spaces. The Maritime Strategy and the Maritime Spatial Plan have similar and complementary objectives, but while the focus of the first paper is the good status of the marine environment with advantage of environmental goals, the second builds on these goals and complements them with social and economic goals, which are a prerequisite for sustainable development. Analogous to the National Spatial Development Concept and the Maritime spatial plan has an important role to coordinate sectoral policies in the unified national space, part of which are the maritime spaces of the Black Sea, as well and the air space above them, their bottom and its bowels, acc. Art. 5 para. 2 on ZMPVPPPRB. Both documents are bound by the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Spatial development of the European continent of the Conference of Ministers responsible for spatial development (SEMAT). The emphasis on coastal regions and islands is placed on the integrated management and interaction between land and sea. Coastal areas are considered as starting points for the exploration of marine and underwater resources, for extraction and conversion of energy, places of concentration of production and business activities attractive for tourism, but also highly sensitive. The national spatial development concept for the period 2013-2025 is updated in 2019 in the context of the new approach in regional policy development. Its role as a spatial coordinator of the processes in the territory and sectoral policies are updated in the context of pan-European spatial polycentric development, with an emphasis on complex, integrated planning and enhanced strategic orientation. By updating the document, the necessary one is created informational and planning basis for the Operational Program for the Development of the Regions (2021-2027). In the updated document, more attention is paid to the regions for level 2 planning, to better manage their development through integrated investments, in line with the tendencies to strengthen the regional and territorial dimension of European policies. The most significant "upgrade" of the NKPR is the integration of its strategic part with the objectives of the National Strategy for regional development of the Republic of Bulgaria (2012-2022) and the guidelines for the development of the Level 2 planning regions, including North East and South East. In the update of the NKPR, the Black Sea territories are kept as specific informal areas defined and institutionalized with international consolidated strategic development document. The Black Sea coast is an object and of a special law (ZUCHK). Conveying the objectives of the joint operational program for territorial cooperation "Black Sea Basin 2014-2020 funded by European Neighborhood Instrument in the Update confirms the need from promoting business and entrepreneurship in tourism and culture, trade and the modernization of sectors related to the maritime economy, of joint monitoring of the environment and marine litter management. It is a leading document and setting policy priorities in the field of tourism The updated National Strategy for sustainable development of tourism in the Republic Bulgaria (2014-2030) АКТУАЛИЗИРАНА НАЦИОНАЛНА СТРАТЕГИЯ ЗА УСТОЙЧИВО РАЗВИТИЕ НА ТУРИЗМА В РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ, 2014-2030 Г. (government.bg) The goals and priorities in maritime tourism are aimed at solving the problems of redevelopment of the coast and loading of the technical infrastructure, the extension of the summer tourist season, increase on the share of the more expensive and prestigious club sea holiday tourism, at the expense of the cheap "all inclusive" type, improvement of the environment and business environment for the development of sustainable tourism that does not neglect the well-being of local communities. Adaptation to climate change will have an impact on summer tourism and the length of the most suitable season for recreation, entertainment and sports activities near and at sea. In the forecast scenarios and models of the Marine Spatial plan these interactions are sought in conflict resolution and utilization of the potential of tourist resources in the coastal zone and in the water area. The priorities of the Republic of Bulgaria in the "Fisheries and aquaculture" sector are tied to the implementation of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy with its latest amendments since 2014, as well as the Integrated Maritime Policy. They have been transferred to the current Program on Maritime Affairs and Fisheries for the period 2014-2020 Important for conflict-free development of the sector are sustainable, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based fisheries and aquaculture; the efficient use of resources; the diversification of productions, the satisfaction of the needs of the population with fish and fish products; helping the regions whose well-being depends on fisheries. The most serious conflicts awaiting resolution are between aquaculture and tourism, between fisheries and aquaculture and environmental protection. In the field of cultural heritage protection, there is still no adopted national law strategic document, which is why the links between this sector and the Maritime spatial plan are sought through the legislative framework and generally accepted international and European documents, which gradually expand the time, the territorial and thematic scope of the cultural heritage and the activities related to it discovery, exploration, conservation, adaptation, socialization and integrated conservation. Its social orientation and its importance as a resource also increases a driver of sustainable development and an important part of public capital. The sea one spatial plan is relevant to almost all international and European documents, but the most important is the Convention for the Protection of Underwater Culture inheritance. The presence of the Ancient City of Nessebar as a unique monument of UNESCO, binds the provisions of the plan to the Washington Charter (1987) and her statements about the historic city, with the World Heritage Convention (1974) and the defined cultural landscapes, with the Framework Convention (2005) and the integral cultural environment, with the Charter of Cultural Routes of ICOMOS (2005) or the roads of the "cultural dialogue". Traditions, customs, rites and rituals, cultural holidays and events, and especially those related to the sea, are protected under the Conservation Convention of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) because of their role for development of a sense of belonging, originality and continuity. In the published in 2019 Strategy for the Development of the Bulgarian culture (2019-2029) 5495_Strategy_culture_.pdf (government.bg)  the priorities of the cultural policy of Bulgaria, which preserve the cultural memory. In the field of cultural heritage the focus is on its preservation and socialization and its disclosure as a factor for sustainable development, identity and cultural dialogue. To achieve the strategic aims to implement an integrated approach for better communication and coordination between all participants in conservation processes. And it is in this document sought better integration with different sectoral environmental policies, territorial organization and tourism, which should also be applied in the maritime sector spatial planning. The leading national documents that define environmental policies environment are subordinated to global priorities and documents and those of the European Union, related to the protection of biodiversity, adaptation to climate change, integrated water management. This group includes documents, related directly or indirectly to the quality of sea waters, namely: the National Strategy for management and development of the water sector (NSURVS) in the Republic of Bulgaria, developed in connection with the requirements of art. 151 of the Water Act; 

The development strategy and management of water supply and sewage in the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2014- 2023, approved by Decision No. 269 of the Council of Ministers of May 7, 2014; 

The national Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan adopted with Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 621 of 25.10.201965 In the latest document fisheries are among the highly vulnerable sectors, and maritime spaces and developing ones there, activities are considered for the assessment of transport, summer tourism, urban tourism environment and the impacts of climate change on coastal cities. 

The Marine Spatial Plan tracks the expected impacts as a result of climate change and frequent natural disasters and negative hydrogeological and geological processes – the areas threatened by floods and/or sea level rise level and the risk zones with active landslide processes. To overcome the former hazards and finding appropriate solutions is used information from the updated Flood Risk Management Plan in the Black Sea Region for basin water management (2016–2021). To reduce landslide risks, collapses, erosion and abrasion, the National Prevention Program is implemented and limitation of landslides on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, erosion and the abrasion along the Danube and Black Sea coasts 2015-2020 and supplement to it with the new landslides that occurred until April 15, 2015, 66 prepared for the Ministry of regional development and public works from the Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and geography of BAS. In the areas affected by abrasion on the Black Sea coast in the sections Sivriburun - Cape Shabla; Cape Shabla – Cape Kaliakra; Cape Kaliakra – Cape Galata; nose Galata - Cape Emine; Cape Emine - Sozopol (Burgas Bay); and Sozopol - the mouth of the river Rezovska offers innovative methods for the study of dynamic processes in the coastal zone and the shelf and building environmental facilities to perform more features. The integrated transport strategy in the period until 2030, adopted by Decision no 336/23.06.2017 of the Council of Ministers is the most up-to-date strategic document that offers a comprehensive plan for the sustainable development of the transport system of the Republic Bulgaria and a framework for investments in transport. The strategy defines the country's contribution to the Single European Transport Area and corresponds to the General priorities, according to Art. 10 of Regulation (EU) No. 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, including investment priorities in the main and extended TEN-T network. The common guiding objectives for all modes of transport are to increase efficiency and competitiveness, ensuring internal and external connectivity and accessibility and reducing the harmful impacts of transport. Most important at the development of the Maritime Spatial Plan have the forecasts and measures foreseen for maritime transport, but the modern requirements for intermodality and integration of resources require that all-species predictions be considered transport. For the development of maritime transport, not only the modernization of ports and port infrastructure and facilities, but also connections with the operating enterprises and their needs in the interior of the country. The strategic documents in the energy sector reflect the country's policy in the sector, aimed at security and diversification of supply, energy efficiency and increasing the share of renewable sources. The energy update strategy of the Republic of Bulgaria until 2020 67 reports the significant change in routes of supply of natural gas through the territory of Bulgaria after 2020 and the plans for building key infrastructure projects in the region that will change the main direction and routes of natural gas flows. It is of strategic importance the preservation of the key role of Bulgaria on the gas map of Europe. Updating the strategy and taking the necessary steps to build of the gas infrastructure will guarantee the security and diversification of supplies of natural gas, both for Bulgaria and in the region.

The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2014–2020 and its 2017 update, corresponding to the requirements of Art. 24, para. 2 of the Directive 2012/27/EU aim to bring energy efficiency to the fore in the country's energy policy together with energy security, competitiveness and sustainable development. This is especially important because of the high energy intensity of our productions, complexes, buildings and facilities, and the Sea spatial plan will direct part of the measures in this area to the blue sectors economy. 

The National Renewable Energy Action Plan, adopted by Council of Ministers with a decision from 2013 and valid until the end of 2020, steps on the estimated final consumption of electricity, the state of the economy and the investment interest. The obligatory national goal of the Republic of Bulgaria is for a 16% share of energy from renewable sources (RE) in gross final energy consumption in 2020, which means 1,718 ktoe of renewable energy. In the Maritime Spatial Plan seek those reserves which are related to marine technologies, facilities and industries, to reveal more innovative solutions. 

The latest document "Integrated Energy and Climate Plan of Republic of Bulgaria 2021-2030" (NPEK) was developed in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11.12.2018 on governance of the Energy Union and climate action. He aims to stimulate the low-carbon economy; to support competitive and secure energy; to reduce dependence on fuel and energy imports; and to guarantee affordable energy prices for all consumers. In the listed, as well as in some other similar program and strategic documents subject matter, those goals and priorities that should be adapted for maritime spatial planning objectives to enhance the value of the proposed strategic and specific objectives and programs of measures.