BSIMAP - Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme
The Convention on the Protection of the Black Seai The Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution was signed in Bucharest in April 1992, and ratified by all six legislative assemblies of the Black Sea countries in the beginning of 1994. Also referred to as "Bucharest Convention", it is the basic framework of agreement and three specific Protocols, which are: the control of land-based sources of pollution; dumping of waste; and joint action in the case of accidents (such as oil spills). The implementation of the provisions of the Convention is supported by the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (also referred to as the Istanbul Commission), and its Permanent Secretariat, stationed in Istanbul, Türkiye. v , the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan 1996 and the Strategic Action Plan for the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea 2009 require a holistic approach to the Black Sea ecosystem. This holistic approach was used by the Black Sea network of insitutions for the development of the Black Sea Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (BSIMAP).
1. reaching consensus on common principles for regional monitoring and assessment programmes
2. establishment of an initial affordable program to harmonize assessment methodologies, analytical techniques, reporting formats, etc.
3. harmonization of assessment methodologies on a regional level
4. elaboration of environmental quality criteria/objectives
5. development and establishment of mechanisms of integration scientific results into the assessment process
6. elaboration of mechanisms and procedures for quality assurance quality control
7. elaboration and maintenance of the Black Sea Information System for supporting decision making process of the Black Sea Commission.