PS3- Danube Influence Area of the Western Black Sea

PILOT SITE 3

WESTERN BLACK SEA - DANUBE INFLUENCE AREA

ABOUT THE PS3

The Romanian coastal zone (PS3) spans approximately 18,500 km², including waters up to the 70-meter isobath within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and related inland areas. Part of the NUTS 2 South-East development region, it encompasses Constanța and Tulcea counties (NUTS 3 level), covering 3,575 km² and housing 400,828 people in 2021—a 15% population decline since 2011. Its 245 km coastline, representing 6% of the Black Sea coast, stretches from Musura Bay in the north to the Bulgarian border at Vama Veche in the south. Predominantly natural (84%), the coastline features low-lying shores (80%) and cliffs (20%), shaped by wave dynamics, sediment transport, and climate events like storm surges.

Structurally, the PS3 coastline has two units. The Northern Unit (165 km from Musura Bay to Cape Midia) lies within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, characterized by low beaches and gentle underwater slopes. The Southern Unit (80 km from Cape Midia to Vama Veche) is highly developed, with artificial beaches, limestone platforms, and coastal protection structures. The Danube River’s Chilia, Sulina (navigable), and Sfântul Gheorghe branches deliver nutrients, sediments, and contaminants to the Black Sea, shaping the region. Coastal erosion affects areas like Sulina and Perișor North, while sediment accumulates in Sulina and Cape Midia. Recent erosion control efforts (2011–2022) include dykes and beach nourishment.

The PS3 marine area, encompassing territorial waters, the contiguous zone, and part of the EEZ, features a nutrient-rich hydro-chemical structure and biological productivity influenced by the Danube’s Chilia plume. Tourism dominates the economy despite seasonality, with marine fishing extending to the 60 m isobath targeting species like turbot and mackerel. Aquaculture focuses on freshwater and brackish farming, with marine initiatives emerging. Coastal protection continues under the "Coastal Erosion Reduction - Phase II (2014–2020)" project. The Romanian EEZ contains 16 hydrocarbon exploration perimeters, with XVIII Istria currently operational. The Port of Constanța (Constanța, Midia, Mangalia) anchors regional port activities. Wastewater from ten treatment plants discharges into the Black Sea. Agriculture covers 134,000 hectares (37.55% of the area), while key industries, including petrochemicals and shipbuilding, are concentrated in the south.

KEY ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

PROVISIONING: FISH AND SHELLFISH

Marine fishing extends from the shore to the 60 m isobath (deeper for species like turbot, mackerel, and shark), covering much of Romania's marine EEZ and serving as a vital food source. Shellfish harvesting, particularly Rapa whelk and Mytilus, surpasses fish catches (e.g., turbot, anchovies, sprat, gobies). Aquaculture focuses on freshwater (deltaic and coastal lakes) and brackish (lagoons) fish farming, with marine aquaculture recently emerging.

REGULATING AND MAINTENANCE

Despite occasional unfavorable conditions, the Romanian Black Sea supports rich underwater biodiversity, offering significant ecological and health benefits. It helps mitigate the impacts of natural and human activities, ensuring the sustainability of ecosystem services for current and future generations.

CULTURAL SERVICES: RECREATION AND TOURISM

Tourism, though highly seasonal, is the leading economic activity along the Romanian coast. The Black Sea coast boasts 12 national-interest tourist resorts, mainly in Constanta County. Coastal and maritime tourism dominate the southern littoral, while ecotourism thrives in the northern Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.

SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY OPPORTUNITIES

FOOD PROVISIONING FROM AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES

Included in the National Plan for Aquaculture, there is a development in the PS3 regarding sustainable aquaculture practices, contributing to food security and economic development while reducing pressure on wild fish stocks.

ENERGY PROVISION FROM WIND

Offshore wind energy is highlighted in the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) and national strategies as a renewable energy priority. However, the lack of a clear legislative framework delays implementation. Current efforts focus on location studies and environmental impact assessments.

"GREENING" THE PORTS

The Constanta Port Masterplan, currently under development, prioritizes sustainability to address the rising port activity and traffic, especially in light of geopolitical shifts in the Northwest Black Sea region.

COASTAL AND MARITIME TOURISM

The National Tourism Strategy and local development plans emphasize extending the tourist season and diversifying offerings, including pesca-tourism and cultural tourism, to boost regional economic growth and resilience.

KEY MULTI-STRESSORS

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change drives sea level rise, temperature increases, altered precipitation patterns, and intensified storms, leading to risks like coastal erosion and landslides (mitigated by protection measures), marine and coastal ecosystem disruptions affecting fisheries, and severe flooding from localized torrential rains despite stable average precipitation projections.

NUTRIENT LOADS

The introduction of nutrients and organic matter leads to eutrophication, causing occasional hypoxic/anoxic events (last major coastal event in 2010) and rare harmful algal blooms (HABs) along the Romanian coast. Pollution from synthetic and non-synthetic compounds, primarily via the Danube River but also from coastal and sea-based activities, threatens biodiversity and human health through seafood contamination.

MARINE LITTER

The introduction of litter, primarily from the Danube River but also from fishing, port activities, and tourism, contributes to pollution, posing risks to biodiversity, human health through seafood contamination, and the degradation of land and seascapes.

ILLEGAL FISHING

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing accelerates fish stock depletion, reduces biodiversity, and leads to habitat loss and degradation, undermining marine ecosystem health and sustainability.

INVASIVE SPECIES

The introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS), primarily through maritime transport and aquaculture, leads to a decline in biodiversity, disrupting marine ecosystems.

BRIDGE-BS ACTIVITIES IN THE PS3

SCIENTIFIC CRUISES

BRIDGE-BS Expedition – NIMRD & GeoEcoMar – July 29 – August 3, 2022
BRIDGE-BS Winter Cruise - GeoEcoMar and NIMRD - February 2-7, 2023
BRIDGE Black Sea Summer Cruise - GeoEcoMar and NIMRD - June 8 – 13, 2023

LIVING LABS

Three rounds of Living Labs were conducted, comprising on-site sessions held on 26 January 2022, 28 February 2023, and 10 April 2024. These sessions engaged around 90 participants from diverse blue economy sectors and local communities.

WORKSHOP

The National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” hosted the BRIDGE-BS Macrozoobenthos Workshop on November 21-22, 2023, in Constanza. Partners from Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia, including GeoEcoMar, IO-BAS, IBER-BAS, and TSU, discussed benthic habitat indicators, agreed on assessment methodologies, and shared updates on non-indigenous species and macrobenthic research.

BLACK SEA YOUNG AMBASSADORS

The Romanian Black Sea Young Ambassadors participated in MARBLUE 2022, engaging in productive discussions.
They also led science outreach activities during Green Week on March 28, 2023.
They organized events for European Maritime Day (EMD) in my country, including the Marine Research Open Day on April 6, 2023, and June 12, 2024.

CITIZEN SCIENCE

As part of the BRIDGE-BS, several events will be organized under the Responsible Seafood Consumption Campaign. PS3 partners will also extend the campaign through various EU, Black Sea, and locally-based activities to ensure broader dissemination and deeper public engagement.

THE LATEST ACTIVITIES

The Joint BRIDGE-BS and DOORS Special Session at MARBLUE 2024 was held, led by project partners NIMRD, Istanbul University, and HCMR, focusing on harmonizing research methodologies in the Black Sea. During the session, representatives from both projects presented their specific objectives, goals, and deliverables. The BRIDGE-BS team emphasized aligning research frameworks to enhance data analysis and reporting, while the DOORS team highlighted complementary goals focused on promoting interoperability and integration within broader marine data initiatives.

PARTNERS INVOLVED

NIMRD

Laura Boicenco

[email protected]

GEOECOMAR

Dan Vasiliu

[email protected]