2.B.3 Protection of habitats and landscape
Problem Stakeholders Proposed actions and costs Products and milestones
Deterioration of valuable habitats and species in marine and coastal areas, and wetlands in particular The public at large

Black Sea states, especially governmental agencies responsible for habitat and species protection

The international community, especially in those cases where migratory species of wildlife are concerned

 Governments are advised to designate new conservation areas and enhance the protection of existing conservation areas in marine and coastal areas, and especially wetlands.

In particular governments are advised to designate, by 1997, pilot conservation areas, as well as other conservation areas, as provided in the Conservation of Black Sea Wetlands (also see section on Conservation Areas 3.B.3.1 and section on Biodiversity Protection 3.B.2.1) and to develop comprehensive management plans for these areas by 2000 (cost of developing the plans for the region $1 million) which should be fully implemented by 2005.

 By 2005 a regional network of conservation areas in marine and coastal areas in general, and in wetlands in particular
Lack of adequate laws, regulations and planning instruments to designate and manage conservation areas in an integrated manner The public at large

Black Sea states, especially governmental agencies responsible for habitat and species protection

 Governments are advised to adopt or revise their national laws, regulations and planning instruments, by December 1999, with the object of designating and protecting conservation areas of national, regional and global significance and improving the level of management and protection of protected areas. Such instruments shall provide for the integrated management of conservation areas and shall include the following:
  • a procedure for designating new conservation areas and amending the regime/size of existing conservation areas
  • management objectives based on international recommendations/IUCN criteria.
  • identification of the management authority and the responsible agency at the level of the central government
  • procedures for integrated planning (integration in land-use and national/regional planning through the adoption of management plans for all conservation areas)
  • procedures which guarantee public participation in the decision-making processes regarding the planning, designation and management of conservation areas
  • regulations specifying how the conservation area policies will be financed, including a system for levying entrance fees and fines which should be used to finance the management of conservation areas
  • procedures for establishing partnerships between governmental agencies and NGO’s for the management of conservation areas
 By 2000 the protection of conservation areas in each Black Sea coastal state will be based on adequate legal, regulatory and planning mechanisms
Lack of a regional strategy for conservation areas The public at large

Black Sea states, especially ministries responsible for habitat and species protection

International Community, especially in those cases where migratory species of wildlife are concerned

 Governments are advised to adopt, by December 1998, a regional plan for the designation and protection of conservation areas. It is recommended that the Advisory Group on the Conservation of Biodiversity of the Istanbul Commission commence work on the plan in 1996 and submit it to the Istanbul Commission for approval by May 1998. The plan should:
  • identify any gaps in information that may exist and how they can be resolved
  • analyze the threats to species and habitats
  • identify priority areas to be designated as conservation areas and existing conservation areas whose protection should be enhanced
  • make recommendations on the objectives, standards and measures which can serve to enhance the protection of conservation areas
  • propose recommendations on fund raising aspects
  • propose recommendations on how public awareness about the significance of conservation areas for habitat and species protection may be enhanced at the regional level

This plan should provide the basis on which Governments, through their own laws and regulations, designate and protect conservation areas of regional and/or international significance. The costs of adopting the regional plan are estimated at $300,000.

 By 1998 a regional plan for the identification and protection of conservation areas of regional and/or international importance
Lack of adequate mechanisms to enforce national laws, regulations and planning instruments for the protection of conservation areas Black Sea states, especially ministries responsible for habitat and species protection

Local agencies who manage conservation areas

Private sector

 Governments are advised to ensure that the agencies who manage conservation areas have the appropriate qualified staff and the necessary supporting resources (e.g. transport facilities, radio equipment, public information centres) to undertake the tasks expected of them. The cost of this proposal are estimated to be about $100,000 per project which should be shared between governments and international sources. By 2000 efficiently functioning agencies responsible for the management of conservation areas
Lack of public awareness and education about the value of habitats and species in general and conservation areas in particular Black Sea states, especially governmental agencies responsible for habitat and species protection

Local agencies responsible for conservation areas

The public at large

NGOs

 Governments are advised to develop public awareness campaigns, including programmes for schools, local communities, and natural resource users in the conservation areas. Such campaigns, where appropriate, should be coordinated at the regional level. By 2000 a well informed public, which is aware of the values represented by habitats and species, convinced of the need to protect them and thus supportive of the government policies adopted.

Overall end result: The protection of marine and coastal habitats and species for the benefit of local, national and regional communities as well as the international community as a whole.

See also
2.B.3 Land use in the Black Sea region
2.B.3 The Black Sea coast
2.B.1 Commercially exploited species
2.B.2 Loss or imminent loss of endangered species in the Black Sea and its wetlands
3.B.3 Conservation Areas Management Analysis