25. Governance and Socio Economic Implications of the Black Sea Small Scale Fisheries (Bulgaria)

Characteristic of the Black Sea basin is that most of the fish occupy extensive areas, located in the exclusive zone of several riparian countries. Current Bulgarian marine fleet capacity comprises 2030 active fishing vessels. There are 1934 fishing boats less than 12 m representing 95.27% of all vessels. The majority of the fleet (84%) are below 7.9 m in length. The main fishing grounds are coastal (to 30–40 m depth) and offshore (to 100 m depths). In Bulgaria, it is more properly to put the accent on the separate regulations of the fishery, instead of its integral management. These regulations concerns in very small extension the shared fish stocks, which are exploited without control, because of the restriction measures absence. Much more different is the attitude concerning the so called “domestic fish stocks” with some elements of management applied. But even such a scheme in force remains imperfect, because of the insufficient control. Present policy regarding Bulgarian marine fishery is orientated to the production mainly, as far as the fish protein in the country is not corresponding to the demands. Indicated production orientated marine fishery, is stimulated by the lack of adequate management rules of the fishing activities. Taking into consideration the entire existent EU regulations and national legislation in force regarding the small scale fisheries, wider environmental, economic and social aspects in a balanced manner should be regarded.