Work Plan 2007/2008
I. Genreal Coordination
	Area of Work	Activity	Participants	Responsible Entities	Output	Deadline
1.	Financial  and office management	Maintenance of the office and financial management system as well as the further development of the general administrative practices of the secretariat	BSC PS	BSC-PS	Office fully operational	Continuous
2.	Integration  of scientific findings of Black Sea projects in the work of the Black Sea Commission	Participation in meeting and seminars of regional projects (end-user of  ASCOBOS,  SESAME, SCENE, HERMES, MATRA, PlanCoast); New EU Projects were developed - with EU-Consult, CEFAS - positive evaluation for the moment.	BSC PS, EC DG Research, BSERP	BSC PS	Meetings' records, data	Continuous
		Input of relevant information into BSC Black Sea Information System
3.	Operation of the Black Sea Information System and GIS	Current operation of the BSIS	EC DG Env	BSC PS	BSIS (including GIS interface) is operational at BSC/PS office	Continuous
		Development of BSIS in ACCESS Format (mdb), on-line nurishing of the data base.	BSERP, BSC PS	BSC PS
4.	Coordination of  the Black Sea Institutional and Expert Network	Support the work of the expert networks; establish expert groups on issues that require in depth studies and attraction of wider scientific expertise; establishment of discussion fora, documents database, contact lists, etc. based on their needs	BSC PS, EC DG Env, GESAMP, others on an ad hoc basis	BSC PS	Minutes of meetings, presentations, reports if produced	Continuous
5.	Expanding the cooperation with international organizations of relevance through joint activities or shared expertise.	Setting up or strengthening the cooperation arrangements with EC DG Env, BSEC, PABSEC, UNEP (GPA; Regional Seas), EC DG JRC, OSPAR, MAP, HELCOM, ESPOO Convention, EUROGOOS, Ballast Water Convention, London Convention, UNDP (Test Projects), OSCE, GESAMP, IMO, SIDA, SMA, EMSA, EEA, WHO, etc.;  organize joint events when appropriate	BSC PS, Organisations mentioned	BSC PS	Proceedings of meetings with participation of BSC reps. in meetings, conferences	Meetings calendar
		Representing the Commission at meetings, conferences, workshops and other fora, presentations, delivering lectures, reports, etc.  Raising awareness of the activities of the Commission.
6.	Implementation of the MOU between the BSC and the ICPDR	Report (information exchange) to the Both BSC and ICPDR on Danube Impact on the Black Sea	BSC PS, ICPDR	BSC PS	Reports	Aug-08
		Meetings of Black Sea –Danube  JTWG:  Process of achieving agreed opinion on nutrient status of the Danube and NW Black Sea.		ICPDR	Upon availability of funding	Jun-08
7.	Implementation of the MoU with the EEA and the proposed work plan under this MoU	Indicator-based report on Pressures and Trends in the State of the Environment and Annual Reporting to the Commission, for 2007/8.	BSC PS, EEA	BSC PS	Report	Dec-08
		Improvement of BSIS with EEA assistance. Meta data base: what is available in the region, but not reported to the BSC			Meta database	Dec-08
		Ensure regular flow of data between two institutions			data exchange	Continuous
8.	Implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the BSC and ACCOBAMS	Performing the functions of ACCOBAMS Sub-regional Coordinating Unit.	ACCOBAMS Secretariat	BSC PS	Report(s)	Dec-08
		Pilot Project Marine Litter/Marine Mammals.	ACCOBAMS and UNEP		Report	Dec-08
		Support to the Project 'Development of Black Sea Cetaceans Stranding Network' (funded by ACCOBAMS).	NGO's and ACCOBAMS		Report	Dec-09
		Incorporation of the Marine Mammals Conservation Plan into the SAP2007.	ACCOBAMS		Inclusion in the new SAP	May-08
9.	Involvement of the private sector  in the implementation of the BS SAP	Development of cooperation mechanism with the private sector	OSPRI; MEKE etc	BSC PS	Meeting minutes	Continuous
10.	Preparation of Ministerial Meeting 2008	Preparation of Meeting Program and coordination of preparatory work to the Ministerial Meeting 2008	EC, BSERP, EuropeAid, BSC PS	Government of Ukraine	Meeting Program negotiated and adopted Technical docs for the Ministerial Meeting (2008) Technical document for national negotiations	Jun-08
11.	SOE Report 2000-2005	Finalization of the preparation of the State of  Black Sea Environment (SOE)	BSERP, IAEA	BSC PS	Report	Dec-07
12.	Updating  of the BSSAP	Report on the Implementation of the BS SAP Report	BSC PS	BSC PS	Report	May-08
		Finalization of the GAP Analysis Report	EC DG Env, TUBITAK		Regional GAP Analysis Report	Sep-07
		Finalization of the BSSAP for National Negotiations	BSERP	BSERP	Technical SAP 07	Jan-08
					Politically negotiated SAP 07	Apr-08
13	Updating of the Convention and related documents	Amendments to the Convention	EuropeAid, BSC PS	Europaid, Beneficiary countries	Proposal for amended text of the Convention	Oct-08
		Amendments to other Convention related documents (Financial Rules, Headquarters Agreement, Privileges and Immunities Agreement)	BSC PS	BSC	Draft proposal texts of amendments
		Amendments to basic documents of the Black Sea Commission	BSC PS	BSC		Jun-08
14	Operative management	Meetings of the AG of the BSC (1 meeting for each AG), Experts Workshops	BSC PS, BSERP	BSC PS	Minutes of Meetings Meeting documents, presentations, etc., significant progress in the preparation of the Meeting of the Contracting Parties, Kyiv 2008	Different dates
		Regular meeting of the Black Sea Commission
		Extraordinary Meeting(s) of the Black Sea Commission
II Policy Actions
	Area  of  Work		Participants	Responsible Entities	Output	Deadline
	Pollution Reduction
1.	Work on the environmental quality objectives and target values	Assessment of background levels of pollution using the collected historical data,  information/data  on pressures and trends, continued	BS scientific community, AG	BSC PS, PMA AC	Reports on Pilot Monitoring exercises.  Report on trace metals and other pollutants background values	Oct-08
2	Harmonisation of methods, standards	Regional Guidelines on Trace Metals identification in Water, Sediments and Biota	BS scientific community, AG	PMA AC, IAEA, BSC PS	1. Adopted Guidelines, 2. Report	Sep-08
		Harmonization of pesticides methods, standards
		Report on the use of Black Sea Manuals and Intercalibration Exercises
2.	Implementation and improvement of the BS Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (BSIMAP)	QUASIME: mandatory QA/QS for laboratories reporting to BSIMAP and financed from BSC budget	BSC PS, Laboratories	BSC PS	Reports on inter-comparison exercises, results of analysis of sediment samples collected during Pilot Monitoring exercises;   Adopted UNEP ML Guidelines	Oct-07
		IAEA Intercomparison exercise for trace metals in biota	Laboratories from the Black Sea coastal states	Laboratories from the Black Sea coastal states
		Introduction of marine litter component in BSIMAP: initial Steps; Adoption of UNEP Guideline (when published)	UNEP	BSC PS, PMA AG		Sep-08
		Development of indicator-based reporting on trends using EEA and HELCOM experience	EEA, HELCOM	BSC PS
		Application of Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Benthos Manuals for the Black Sea , harmonized approach to sampling and processing of biological samples	BS scientific community, AG		Intercomparison exercises, Overview of results	Continuous
3.	Enhancing cooperation with the London Convention and improvement of ESAS reporting on dumping	Romanian Guideline on Dregded materials and IMO Guideline on management of wastes to be adopted	Invite IMO,  London Convention, BS countries	BSC PS, ESAS, PMA AGs	Updated reporting formats of ESAS	Oct-08
5.	Assessment of bathing water quality	Improvement of the regular reporting to the BSC on the bathing waters quality	BSERP, WHO	BSC PS, PMA AG	Report on the workshop of experts and PMA AG on bathing waters; Indicator-based information on complience of bathing water quality with guide and mandatory  standards	Oct-08
		Communication of bathing waters related information on the BSC website.				Nov-08
6.	Assessment of the measured pollution inputs (municipal and riverine)	1) Finalization and adoption of “Hot Spots” criteria and guidelines for including and excluding of sources of pollution from the regional list of Hot Spots	BSERP	LBS AG And AC		Apr-08
		2) Initiate regular updating the list of hot spots for the Black Sea based on agreed criteria. Meta data of industrial and municipal sources monitored in the region. Designation of new Hot Spots.		LBS AG And AC		continuous
		3) List of priority substances to be monitored for rivers: harmonization of monitoring strategies in the region.		BSC PS, LBS AG and AC		Jun-08
8.	LBS Pollution Control	1. Finalize the revision of the LBS Protocol and facilitate the process of national negotiations in view of the Ministerial Meeting. (continued)	BSERP, UNEP	BSERP, UNEP Team, LBS AG and AC, BSC PS	Final draft of LBSA Protocol to the Bucharest Convention based on results of 6 national workshops	May-07
		2.  Adressing difuse sources of pollution in the Black Sea	BSC PS, IFIs	LBS AG and AC, BSC PS	Project Concept	Sep-08
		4.  Harmonization of standards for emmissions and discharges to be authorised (point sources)	BSC PS, LBS AG, AC		Progress Report
		5. Measured discharges: overview and further steps for harmonization of monitoring strategies (rivers)
		6. Indicator-based reporting on pressures	BSC PS, EEA		Indicator Data
9.	Marine litter reduction	Incorporation of the ML Action Plan in the Black Sea SAP, publication of the ML Report, ML/MM Pilot project, Adoption of UNEP Guidelines; International Clean-up day; Development of ML component in BSIS	UNEP, ACCOBAMS	BSC PS, Consultants, PMA AG	Final Reports, upon approval of the project	Dec-08
10.	Implementation of the BS Contingency Plan	1. Black Sea DELTA exercise upon availability of  a volunteer hosting country	.OSPRI	Black Sea countries	Report on SULH.	Oct-08
		2.  Regular Black Sea ALPHA exercises
		3. Qquarterly BS BRAVO Exercises	Black Sea countries			continuous
		4) Maintenance and update of the operational information for the implementation of the Contingency Plan
		5.  VTOPIS		BSERP, Consultant	Final Report on VTOPIS Pilot Project
		6. Update of the annexes to the Contingency Plan and Guidelines for Oil Spill Exercises	BSC PS	AG ESAS	Approval by Commissioners	Dec-08
		7. Preparation for signature by remaining  countries	BSC PS		Signing by countries	Jun-08
12		8. SAR Training Project	SIDA, IMO, BSC PS, BS countries SAR Authorities		Project Proposal, (if accepted) training	Dec-08
11	SIDA Project	Finalization of the project proposal	BSC PS, HELCOM, SIDA, ESAS AC	BSC PS	Project proposal	Nov-07
		Increased coopeation with HELCOM	BSC PS, BSC, IMO, ESAS & CBD AGs, SIDA/HELCOM		Reports, Meeting documents, Database, etc.	Dec-09
		1 – Development and Implementation of a Black Sea Strategy for port reception facilities and database for ship-generated wastes.
		2 – Strengthening the capability to detect illegal oil discharges
		3 - Enhancing preparedness to effectively respond to medium and major accidents resulting in oil pollution at sea and development of Automatic Information System (AIS) data exchange network between the Black Sea countries to increase the safety of shipping in the region
		4 – Facilitation of harmonized implementation and ratification of the BWM Convention by the Black Sea countries and elaboration of a road map for the Black Sea
	B. Management of Living Resources
11.	BS Biodiversity Assessment	1) Continuation of the work on the of habitat classification  and mapping	EEA, BSC PS, CBD and FOMLR Ags, others	BSC PS, CBD and FOMLR AGs
		2) Fascilitate the designation of MPAs in the region		BSC PS, Black Sea countries	MPAs	Continuous
		3) Upgrade of the methodological basis for biological studies (e.g jellyfish)		BSC PS, CBD AG	Methodology	Nov-08
12.	Conservation of the Black Sea cetaceans	Fundraising for regional assessment of abundance and distribution of the Black Sea cetaceans  - still necessary	Private Sector	BSC PS		continuous
		Enhancing Black Sea cetacean stranding network	ACCOBAMS			Jan-08
13.	Support to the process of negotiation on the Black Sea Legally Binding document on fisheries	Participation in a Joint Meeting of DG FISH, DG ENV and the Black Sea countries.	BSERP, EC TAIEX, DG FISH,DG ENV		Meeting Minutes	Mar-08
		Continuing of the work towards convergence of the positions of the Black Sea countries on LBD			Modifcations in the  Legally Binding Document on fisheries as necessary
14.	Increasing the knowledge on  fisheries management in the Black Sea	Cooperation in fishery assessment with various related organizations	FAO, GFCM, Instituions in the Black Sea countries, DG FISH, DG ENV	BSC PS		Upon availability of funding / continuous
15.	Restoration of areas vital to the recovery of Black Sea fish stocks.	1) habitat mapping for fish species listed in Annex IV of the Biodiversity Protocol: continued	BSERP	BSC PS	Technical reports and maps	Jan-08
		2) Development of  the fisheries indicators in the Black Sea				Sep-08
16.	Preventing the introduction of exotic species	Improvement of the national reporting on  exotic species (continued)		National CBD Focal Points	Information submitted to the Secretariat	Continuous
	Indicator-based reporting	Biological indicators of biodiversity response to pollution.	PMA, CBD AGs, voluntary scientific teams		List of indicators and Methodology	Continuous
	Update/Amendment of SAP2007.	Drafting the Technical SAP	BSERP, Consultants, BSC PS, BS countries, National Represenatatives	BSERP	Technical SAP 07	Jan-08
		Politically negotiated SAP	BSERP, Consultants, BSC PS, BS countries, National Represenatatives		Politically negotiated SAP	Apr-08
	C.  Sustainable Human Development
17.	Development of  a procedure for EIA in Transboundary Context	1) Consultative meeting with Espoo Convention	Espoo Convention	BSC PS, ESPOO Convention	BS Guidance	Oct-08
		2) Preparation of BS regionalGuidance on EIA in transboundary context
18.	Implementation of ICZM and enhancing cooperation with EUROPEAID Project	1) ICZM Guidelines: initial steps	BSERP	ICZM AG, BSC PS	Report on Feasibility study Meeting Docs, Report Docs of the Regional ICZM workshop, Regional Assessment of the ICZM Qusetionnaires; Report on the Akcakoca Pilot Project, Erosion Project Proposal; Ministerial Declaration with ICZM component, ICZM Guidelines for implementation of the ICZM Strategy	Oct-08
		2) ICZM in the Ministerial Declaration	EuropAid
		3. Development of ICZM assessment methodologies and a system of indicators for the evaluation of the status of the coastal zone (continued)				May-08
		4. ICZM Progress markers application in the region (Methodology developped by EUCC-the Coastal Union)
		5. Incorporation of the BS ICZM Strategy in the SAP2007	SAP Formulation Team, ICZM AG
		6. Pilot Project Akcakoca follow up	Plan Coast
		7. Erosion Project Proposal	EU-CONSULT
19.	Promote region-wide cooperation in the investment sector	Participation in DABLAS Task Force.	BSERP, EC DGE	BSC PS, BSERP, Consultant	Significant progess in the development af bankable projects in the BS, Database updated
		Promotion of priority investment projects taking into consideration the regional impact
		Update the DABLAS database
20.	Convergence of the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive and  the activities of the Commission	Continuation of the work on the applicability of the WFD Implementation Guidelines in the BS area		BSC PS, BSERP	Meeting documents	Dec-08
21.	Enhancing public awareness of the Bucharest Convention and BS SAP. Increasing the public participation in the Black Sea process.	1) Maintenance of the public section of the BSC website	BSERP, EC, NGO, Private Sector, BSC PS, etc.	BSC PS, BSERP	as per activity	continuous, as per activity where applicable
		2) Publish newsletter Saving the Black Sea
		3) Coordinated public awareness campaigns (with NGOs- )
		4) International Black Sea Day, Maintenance of the BS Day Website			Report on activities