Burgas wants to become a Black Sea research centre

The Bulgarian municipality, in partnership with a local university, will study pollution and will encourage environmentally friendly business practices

A joint project of the Municipality of Burgas and the "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov”  University envisages the Bulgarian seaside town becoming a European centre for research for the study of flora and fauna in the Black Sea.

The project was presented at an online press conference on 4 March by representatives of the Municipality, with the participation of the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Water Ivelina Vasileva and Prof. Sevdalina Turmanova, University Lecturer and Chairperson of the Municipal Council in Burgas.

Research and reduction of man-made pollution

The title of the two-year project with European funding translates as "Increasing knowledge of the marine environment for sustainable management of resources and achieving the goals of blue growth". It provides for detailed research on seawater pollution at six points located in Burgas Bay, where there is a strong impact of human activity. Among them are the coast of Sarafovo and Kraimorie, the area of ​ St. Anastasia Island and the beaches of Burgas.

Based on the collected information, a detailed map will be developed, and the data will be used for the formulation of strategies and activities to reduce pollution in the water basin. A special device for underwater activities will be used for the purpose, adapted to capture photos of the waste on the surface and the seabed.

Burgas creates a "blue label" for environmental business practices

In addition to research, Burgas envisages the creation of a "blue label" for those establishments that stop using disposable utensils and containers. Businesses that receive it will be given as an example during events dedicated to the environment and tourism, the Municipality has further clarified.

The academic partner, for its part, will start a new discipline - "Polymer pollutants in the marine environment" as part of its master's programs "Ecology and Environmental Protection", "Ecology and Environmental Management" and "Technology of Materials and Materials Science". The new course to be offered to students of the University is associated with the analysis and classification of polymers in marine waters and seasonal monitoring and is part of the measures to manage human impact on the marine environment.