PS6- Eastern Black Sea — BRIDGE Black Sea

PILOT SITE 6

EASTERN BLACK SEA

ABOUT THE PS6

Georgia’s coastline stretches approximately 310 km, with over 150 rivers flowing into the Black Sea. The region’s coastal habitats include sedimentary shores, saline lagoons, estuaries, deltas, wetlands, and rocky shores.

The Ajara Autonomous Republic’s coastline extends 50 km, from the Georgian-Turkish border to the mouth of the Natanebi River. This arc-shaped section features sandy and pebble beaches, alongshore sand-pebble levees (modern and ancient embankments), and occasional steep rocky sections, such as in Tsikhisdziri, Mtsvane Kontskhi, and Kalenderi headland. The coastline is mainly formed by alluvial sediments, part of the Chorokhi morphodynamic system, and is divided into three sub-systems: 1) Kvariati-Batumi Cape 2) Batumi-Tsikhisdziri Cape 3) Tsikhisdziri Cape–Natanebi River Mouth

The seabed consists of three geomorphological elements: the continental shelf, continental slope, and abyssal plain. The shelf, occupying 24% of the sea area, extends from the coast to depths of 90–120 m, where the slope steepens sharply. Its width varies, reaching 200 km in the north and narrowing near the Caucasus and North Turkey. Along Georgia’s coast, the shelf is narrow, with a 160 m depth isobath, and Ajara’s coastline features areas with a 25 m isobath.

The continental slope, covering 40% of the seabed, ranges from 100 m to 2000 m in depth and features underwater canyons, including those of Batumi, Chorokhi, and Kintrishi. The abyssal plain, covering 36% of the seabed, is almost flat and lies within the 2000 m isobath.

KEY ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

While fisheries and aquaculture currently contribute modestly to Georgia’s GDP, they possess significant development potential. Marine capture fisheries: Anchovy dominates the catch, comprising 90% of the total commercial haul, with sprat, whiting, and spiny dogfish making up the remainder. Aquaculture: Growth opportunities exist with better resource utilization and scaled-up farming efforts, though monitoring sector dynamics remains a challenge. Despite higher fish imports than exports, sustainable practices could transform fisheries and aquaculture into a more prominent economic contributor.

PORTS AND SHIPPING

Maritime transport is a vital pillar of Georgia's regional economy, interconnecting foreign policy, trade, ecology, tourism, education, employment, and maritime security. Georgia’s coastline hosts four key seaports: Batumi and Poti: Major trading hubs and international gateways for Georgia and Armenia. Supsa and Kulevi: Strategic oil terminals. With a combined turnover capacity of 50 million tons annually, these ports are critical to regional trade and energy distribution. However, ballast water discharge and port operations contribute to marine pollution. Batumi’s oil terminal features infrastructure to manage and treat ballast water effectively.

TOURISM

The Black Sea coast’s natural assets significantly contribute to Georgia's economy, with tourism as a cornerstone of the coastal economy. Coastal tourism, a priority sector for the country, generates approximately 71% of Georgia's service export revenue. With a healthy Black Sea environment, the sector holds substantial growth potential.

SUSTAINABLE BLUE ECONOMY OPPORTUNITIES

FOOD PROVISIONING FROM AQUACULTURE

Blue economy opportunities in aquaculture focus on sustainable growth, as outlined in the National Plan for Aquaculture, aiming to increase seafood production while minimizing environmental impacts.

TOURISM

In tourism, opportunities lie in extending the tourist season and diversifying offerings, such as pesca-tourism and cultural tourism, which blend maritime activities with local culture and heritage, attracting year-round visitors.

KEY MULTI-STRESSORS

CLIMATE CHANGE

The region's maritime climate results from humid air masses interacting with the Caucasus and Meskheti mountains, while local currents are shaped by monsoons and mountain winds. Average annual temperatures range from 13°C to 14.5°C, with Batumi being the warmest at 14.5°C. From 1986 to 2010, temperatures rose by 0.2°C in Batumi and 0.5°C in Kobuleti, reversing earlier declines. Rainfall between 1990 and 2010 decreased by 10 mm in Batumi and 85 mm in Kobuleti but increased by 121 mm in Chakvi. The tidal range remains minimal at under 10 cm, classifying the region as microtidal.

COASTAL EROSION

Coastal erosion, particularly severe at the mouth of the Chorokhi River, significantly impacts natural resources, causing beach loss, habitat degradation, and disruptions to ecosystem services. Human activities exacerbate these effects, not only hindering tourism development but also affecting fisheries, transport infrastructure, and the physical structure of the coastline.

STORMS AND FLOODS

Storms and floods, including powerful sea storms and river flooding, drive the flow of urban waste, sludge, and alluvial debris, significantly impacting coastal areas and the marine environment.

EUTROPHICATION

Nitrogen and phosphorus are vital for the tissue formation of all living organisms, and their concentration in water bodies depends on biochemical and biological processes. However, the distinction between these elements is not absolute, as others also contribute to biological functions. In assessing coastal ecological conditions, hydrochemical factors, especially river inflows, are crucial. Given these considerations, the evaluation of nutrients such as ammonium, nitrites, nitrates, and phosphates was a significant part of BRIDGE-BS research. Throughout the research, nutrient levels were found to be low, even excessively so.

BRIDGE-BS ACTIVITIES IN THE PS6

SAMPLING

Research stations, sampling depths, and chemical and biological indicators have been identified. Consequently, chemical and biological observations were conducted at five stations (see Table 1).

Table 1. Black Sea Ajara Zone Monitoring Information

Station N	Station Name	Water Area	Strata	Depth (m)	Coordinates (DD)
ST1	Kvariati_1	Kvariati	<30	27	N: 41° 56.3914', E: 41° 55.6864'
ST2	Sarpi_2	Sarpi	>30	47.5	N: 41° 55.4417', E: 41° 54.8000'
ST3	Chaqvi_1	Chaqvi	<30	23	N: 41° 71.5800', E: 41° 69.6750'
ST4	Chaqvi_2	Chaqvi	>30	39	N: 41° 72.0650', E: 41° 69.1450'

Table 2. The Black Sea Georgia Zone Monitoring Chemical and Biological Parameters

Chemical indicators/parameters	Biological indicators
Temperature	Phytoplankton Total abundance cells/m3 biomass mg/m3 species composition
Transparency
pH
TSS
Salinity	Mesozooplankton Total abundance cells/m3 biomass mg/m3 species composition
Dissolved oxygen DO
Ammonia NH4-N
Nitrite NO2-N
Nitrate NO3-N	Zoobenthos Biodiversity number (ind/m2) biomass (g/m2)
Phosphate PO4-P
TP
TN
Heavy metals - Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Organochlorine Pesticides
Marine litter (riverine, beach and sea floating)
Chemical indicators/parameters in sediments
Heavy metals - Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, As
TPH
TOC

Onboard activities:

Investigation of vertical distribution of T, pH, Sal;
Water sampling for determination of dissolved oxygen;
Water sampling for determination of dissolved inorganic nutrients;
Water sampling for determination of heavy metals;
Water sampling for determination of organic pollutants: PAHs, TPH, and Pesticides;
Water sampling for the study of phytoplankton;
Collection of macrozoobenthos samples;
Collection of Mesozooplankton samples;
Sampling sediments for the determination of heavy metals;
Sampling sediments for the determination of TOC and TPH.

Water samples were transferred to the laboratories and analyzed according to the corresponding methodologies.

Marine litter monitoring program: The marine litter monitoring program includes investigations of beach, floating marine, and floating riverine litter. The methodology was developed in accordance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Guidance of the Joint Research Centre of the European Union JRC. The strategy of selection of marine litter monitoring sites was based on different criteria, aiming to identify the sources of pollution. The marine litter observation program was coordinated with other monitoring programs of the project.

SCIENTIFIC CRUISES

Within the BRIDGE-BS Project, WP 5 activities under PS 6 involve the seasonal investigation of the Batumi City – Adjara Region coastal zone. The investigation focuses on four main tasks:

Assessment of physical and chemical indicators of marine environment quality
Evaluation of eutrophication levels in the Adjara Black Sea shelf and coastal waters
Assessment of pollution levels in the Adjara marine area
Evaluation of the state of marine biodiversity in the Adjara shelf and coastal waters

As part of the BRIDGE-BS project, four seasonal expeditions have been conducted:

The first cruise took place in Summer – July 2022
The second expedition was conducted in Spring – May 2023
The third expedition was carried out in Winter – December 2023
The fourth expedition is scheduled for Autumn – November 2024

Based on the results of the first three expeditions, metadata and intermediate scientific reports have been prepared and submitted. The results from the fourth expedition are currently being compiled.

LIVING LABS

On January 28, 2022, the first meeting with PS 6 stakeholders was held in Batumi in hybrid mode. Stakeholders from various sectors participated, including the Policy sector (Municipality and National Environmental Agency), Fishery, Aquaculture, Tourism, Ports, Academia, and NGOs. The meeting’s first session focused on identifying key Ecosystem Services (ES), resulting in the creation of a list of the most important ES. In the second session, risks and multi-stressors were identified. The third session, a Living Lab workshop, allowed local stakeholders to highlight the needs and opportunities within PS 6.

The second PS 6 stakeholders' meeting took place on May 17, 2022, in Batumi. During this meeting, a Mental Map and Future Narrative were developed, capturing both individual and group perspectives.

The third meeting was held on April 26, 2024, in Batumi. During this session, the steps for a transformative pathway were outlined, aiming for the practical implementation of the Future Narrative.

BLACK SEA YOUNG AMBASSADORS

From November 5-7, Black Sea Young Ambassador Tatiana Sitchinava participated in the #PREP4BLUE Pilot Stakeholder Assembly on Marine Ecosystem Preservation and Innovation in Batumi. She shared valuable insights on youth-driven cross-border collaboration for a sustainable future, emphasizing the preservation of the Black Sea and Danube.
On November 15, Black Sea Young Ambassadors Marika Makharadze and Salome Kobaidze made an impact at the #ScienceOutreach event organized by Batumi State University and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia. They highlighted the BRIDGE Black Sea project, the Black Sea SRIA, and its Implementation Plan, engaging attendees with quizzes, competitions, and other interactive activities.
Black Sea Young Ambassador Marika Makharadze contributed to the latest publication from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM). As one of the featured interviewees, she played a key role in bringing gender equity in fisheries to the forefront of the conversation.

CITIZEN SCIENCE

On November 15th, an event organized by Batumi State University and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia was held, featuring the BRIDGE Black Sea project, the Black Sea SRIA, and its Implementation Plan. During the event, scientists from various institutions shared their expertise with the youth through engaging activities such as quizzes, competitions, and more.

THE LATEST ACTIVITIES

In November 2024, the fourth and final scientific expedition of the year took place, marking the conclusion of the seasonal research. During this mission, chemical and biological samples were meticulously collected in line with the research plan. Additionally, investigations were conducted on beach, riverine, and floating marine litter, contributing valuable insights into marine pollution dynamics.

PARTNERS INVOLVED

TBILISI STATE UNIVERSITY

Irine Baramidze

[email protected]