site.btaGreenpeace Calls for Declaring Cape Maslen Nos as Bulgaria’s First Marine-only Reserve

Activists of the Bulgarian branch of environmental watchdog Greenpeace have submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Water a petition to declare Cape Maslen Nos as Bulgaria’s first marine-only reserve. The move came on International Black Sea Action Day, October 31. The petition was signed by 15,000 Bulgarian citizens.

The activists also brought to the ministry a buoy from abandoned mussel farms near Cape Maslen Nos. It is one of dozens of disused buoys left in the area, which prevent sunshine from reaching the seafloor. “It is a proverbial example of the negligence of all institutions as regards the problems of the sea,” said Martin Tomov, who coordinates the Living Black Sea campaign of Greenpeace Bulgaria.

Receiving the petition, National Nature Protection Service Director Miroslav Kalugerov said about the abandoned mussel farms: “Necessary checks will be conducted, and actions will be taken.”

Kalugerov said the proposal to set up a marine reserve will be considered. Greenpeace has worked on it together with the Institute of Oceanology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

After Greenpeace submits the proposal formally, the arguments in favour of creating such a protected area will be put forward at a working meeting, Kalugerov said. If the proposal is found to be pertinent, it will be put to a broad public discussion. A commission will be set up to deliberate on the matter, and if everything is okay, the environment and water minister will order the establishment of a protected area.