BSC Budget

Other contributions

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

Improving the auditing methodology

BSC PS, Auditing teams from coastal countries

BSC-PS

Office fully operational

Continuous

EC- DG Env 2008

2.                   

Integration of Black Sea projects in the work of the Black Sea Commission

Participation in meeting and seminars of regional projects (end-user of SESAME, SOS-SOUTH, PROMOTE, HERMES, PlanCoast, EuropeAid) etc; New EU Projects were developed - CASPINFO, ECOMAMA, Black Sea SCENE upgrade, EnviroGRIDS, MONINFO, Marine Strategy in the BS, where the BSC is a partner or coordinator.

BSC PS, EC DG Research, EC DG Env., Consortia of project

BSC PS

Meetings' records, data

Continuous

Supported by the relevant projects

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

EC DG Env

Development of BSIS in ACCESS Format (mdb), on-line nourishing of the data base.

BSC PS. BS Institutes

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: support to the regional scientific books

BSC PS, EC DG Env, GESAMP, UNEP and 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, MEDPOL, HELCOM, UNEP- MAP, Tehran Convention, CEP, ESPOO Convention, EUROGOOS, Ballast Water Convention, London Convention, UNDP, OSCE, GESAMP, IMO, SIDA, SMA, EMSA, EEA, CIESM, WHO, etc.; organize joint events when appropriate

Facilitating establishment of regional scientific programs through national funding organizations (TUBITAK etc)

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

Data exchange

Report on rivers monitoring strategies in the BS region

BSC PS, ICPDR

BSC PS

Data sets, Reports

Meetings of Black Sea - Danube JTWG: Process of achieving agreed opinion on nutrient status of the Danube and NW Black Sea.

ICPDR

April 2009

7.            

Implementation of the MoU with the EEA and the proposed work plan under this MoU

Indicators development

BSC PS, EEA

BSC PS

List of indicators, methodologies used

continuous

Improvement of BSIS with EEA assistance. Project to be drafted: gaps in data, assessments, ways to overcome shortcomings

Project proposal

February-March 2009

Ensure regular flow of data between the 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)

continuous

Pilot Project Marine Litter/Marine Mammals

ACCOBAMS and UNEP

Final Report

Feb 2009

ACCOBAMS & UNEP

Support to the Project 'Development of Black Sea Cetaceans Stranding Network' (funded by ACCOBAMS).

NGO's and ACCOBAMS

Report

Dec-09

ACCOBAMS

Support to the project: Basin-wide assessment of Black Sea Cetaceans, submitted to DG Env.

ACCOBAMS

Evaluation of potential Marine Mammals projects submitted by RO and BG to ACCOBAMS

ACCOBAMS

BSC PS

Recommendations

Jan 2009

9.            

Involvement of the private sector in the implementation of the BS SAP

Development of cooperation mechanism with the private sector

OSPRI

BSC PS

Meeting minutes

Continuous

10.         

Preparation of Ministerial Meeting 2009

Preparation of Meeting documents, coordination

Host country, BSC PS

Government of Ukraine

SoE

SAP IR

Declaration

LBSA Protocol

SAP2009

Convention Amendment,

Priviliges and Immunities,

Headquarters Agreement,

Financial Rules

April 2009

11.         

SOE Report 2001-2006

Finalization of the preparation of the State of Black Sea Environment (SOE)

BS scientists

BSC PS

Report

Feb 2009

12.         

Updating of the BSSAP

Report on the Implementation of the BS SAP 2000-2006/7

BSC PS

BSC PS

Report

Feb 2009

Finalization of the BSSAP

Agreed SAP

Jan 2009

13

Update of Convention and Commission documents (Headquarter agreement, Privileges and immunities, Financial rules, etc. )

Amendments

BSC PS

BSC

March 2009

BSC PS

BSC

Agreed amendments

 Jan 2009

14

Operative management

Meetings of the AG of the BSC (1 or 2 meeting for each AG), Experts Workshops

BSC PS

BSC PS

Minutes of Meetings,
Meeting documents, presentations, etc., significant progress in the preparation of the Meeting of the Contracting Parties, Kyiv 2009

Different dates

Regular meeting of the Black Sea Commission

Extraordinary Meeting(s) of the Black Sea Commission

II Policy Actions

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

continuous

upon availability of funding / otherwise via email

2

Harmonisation of methods, standards

BS scientific community, AG

PMA AC, IAEA, BSC PS

1. Adopted Guidelines

continuous

3.            

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

Laboratories from the Black Sea coastal states

BSC PS

Reports on inter-comparison exercises

continuous

5000

IAEA Intercomparison exercise for organics in biota

Laboratories from the Black Sea coastal states

Laboratories from the Black Sea coastal states

(free samples will be sent to the participants)

Adoption of UNEP Guideline for Marine Litter (when published)

UNEP

BSC PS, PMA AG

Nov-09

Development of indicator-based reporting on trends using EEA and HELCOM experience

EEA, HELCOM

BSC PS

Harmonized approach to studying fauna and flora of the Black Sea (sampling, data processing etc)

BS scientific community, AG

Intercomparison exercises, Overview of results

Continuous

4.            

Enhancing cooperation with the London Convention and further improvement of ESAS reporting on dumping

Workshop on the London Convention and Protocol

BSC PS, ESAS AG

IMO, UNDP

BSC PS, ESAS, PMA AGs

Workshop materials

Updated reporting formats of ESAS

Dec 2008

Oct-09

5.            

Assessment of bathing water quality

Improvement of the regular reporting to the BSC on bathing waters quality

WHO

BSC PS, PMA AG

Data

WEB based info

continuous

Communication of bathing waters related information on the BSC website.

continuous

6.            

Assessment of the measured pollution inputs (municipal, industrial 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

TUBITAK

LBS AG And AC

Apr-09

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) Harmonization of rivers monitoring strategies in the region.

BSC PS, LBS AG and AC

continuous

7.            

LBS Pollution Control

1. Signing the LBSA Protocol

BS states

BSC

Protocol signed

Ministerial meeting 2009

2. Addressing diffuse sources of pollution in the Black Sea (ref MONERIS)

BSC PS, ICPDR

LBS AG and AC, BSC PS

Progress Report

continuous

upon availability of funding for meeting etc

4. Harmonization of standards for emissions and discharges to be authorized (point sources)

BSC PS, LBS AG, AC

Agreed Guidelines

5. Guideline on EIA in Transboundary Aspect

ESPOO Secretariat

6. Indicator-based reporting on pressures

BSC PS, EEA

Indicator Data

8.            

Marine litter reduction

International Clean-up day; Development of ML component in BSIS,

Follow up of the ML/MM project

UNEP, ACCOBAMS

BSC PS, Consultants, PMA AG

Final Reports, upon approval of the project

Dec-09

UNEP, ACCOBAMS

9.         

Implementation of the BS Contingency Plan

1. Black Sea DELTA exercise

RO Ministry of Transport, OSPRI, ESAS AG, BS states

Black Sea countries

Report on RO-DELTA

Oct-09

2. Regular Black Sea ALPHA exercises

3. Quarterly BS BRAVO Exercises

Black Sea countries

continuous

4. Maintenance and update of the operational information for the implementation of the Contingency Plan

5. Implementation of the Black Sea Oil Project

BSC PS

6. Update of the annexes to the Contingency Plan and Guidelines for Oil Spill Exercises

BSC PS

AG ESAS

Approval by the Commission

continuous

7. Preparation of BSCP for signature by remaining countries

BSC PS

Signing by countries

2009

10.

8. SAR Training Project

SIDA, IMO, BSC PS, BS countries SAR Authorities

Training organized

Dec-09

SIDA

11.

BS Oil project (MONINFO)

I. Information System

2. Monitoring system

BSC PS, ESAS AC and AG

BSC PS

Concept paper,

Reports, Meeting documents, Database, etc.

Dec 2010

EU DG Env.

3. Capacity building

B. Management of Living Resources

12.         

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

 Continuous

2) Facilitate the designation of MPAs in the region, pursue development of related projects

BSC PS, Black Sea countries

MPAs

Continuous

3) Red Book Update

BSC PS, CBD AG

Nov-09

13.         

Conservation of the Black Sea cetaceans

Enhancing Black Sea cetacean stranding network, supporting regional activities on Cetaceans including the Climate Change and Marine Mammals Conference in the Black Sea

ACCOBAMS, European Cetacean Society, Black Sea Institutes

BSC PS

continuous

ACCOBAMS

14.         

Support to the process of negotiation on the Black Sea Legally Binding document on fisheries

Continuing of the work towards convergence of the positions of the Black Sea countries on LBD

DG MARE

 BSC PS

Modifications in the Legally Binding Document on fisheries as necessary

.

15.         

Increasing the knowledge on fisheries management in the Black Sea

Cooperation in fishery assessment with various related organizations

FAO, GFCM, Institutions in the Black Sea countries, DG MARE, DG ENV

BSC PS

Continuous

16.         

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

BS scientists

BSC PS

Maps

continuous

upon availability of funding for meetings

2) Further development of fisheries indicators in the Black Sea

17.

Promotion of Ecosystem based management

Drafting of project proposal Black-Caspian Seas ECOMAMA, to be submitted to EC FP8

BS scientists

BSC PS

Project proposal

Jan 2009 for submission to EC FP8

18.         

Preventing the introduction of exotic species

Improvement of the national reporting on exotic species (continued)

Regional Seas Organisations, UNEP, DG-ENV

National CBD Focal Points

Information submitted to the Secretariat

Continuous

 19.

Indicator-based reporting

Biological indicators of biodiversity response to pollution, indicators for biodiversity conservation.

PMA, CBD AGs, voluntary scientific teams

List of indicators and Methodology

Continuous

20.

Knowledge on fisheries management

Harmonization of methodologies for stock assessments (e.g. sprat and turbot stock assessments continued)

JRC, Institutions in the Black Sea countries, DG MARE, DG ENV, etc

Training course on analytical methods for stock assessments

FAO, GFCM

BSC PS

Course documents

tentative

Upon availability of funding

C. Sustainable Human Development

21.         

Implementation of ICZM and enhancing cooperation

1. Further development of progress markers for ICZM

ICZM AG

ICZM AG, BSC PS

Meeting Docs, Progress markers,

Project proposal

Oct-09

2. Development of ICZM system of indicators for the evaluation of the status of the coastal zone (continued)

ACZM AG

3. Development of ICZM Project proposal to be submitted to EC FP8

22.         

Promote region-wide cooperation in the investment sector

Participation in DABLAS Task Force.

EC DG Env.

BSC PS, Consultant

Significant progress in the development of bankable projects in the BS,
Database updated

Promotion of priority investment projects taking into consideration the regional impact

EC DGE

Update the DABLAS database

EC DGE

23.         

Convergence of the principles of the EU Water Framework Directive, Marine Strategy, Maritime policy and the activities of the BS Commission

Continuation of the work on the applicability of the WFD, MSFD and Maritime Policy Implementation in the BS area

Executing the related project on Maritime Strategy

BSC PS

Meeting documents, reports

continuous

24.         

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

NGOs, Private Sector, UNDP, ICPDR, etc.

BSC PS

as per activity

continuous, as per activity where applicable

Private sector, NGO. Extra funding needed for Oct 2009

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

Contributing to the production of the Black Sea Box education kit

Report on activities

25.

Strengthening the scientific foundations of decision-making

Black Sea Scientific Forum, Facilitating the setting up a regional scientific program for the Black Sea, Reviving the Information and Data Exchange AG with support from relevant regional programs (BSGOOS, IOC/IODE etc)

National Research Funding Organisations, Scientific community

BSC PS

Web based Forum

June 2009