Which Maritime Spatial Plans exist?
There are no formal maritime spatial plans in Bulgaria.
A draft version of the National Maritime Spatial Plan was presented to the European Commission on 31 March 2021 and was open to public consultation until 26 June 2021. At the same time, the Environmental Impact Assessment, which is considered an integral part of the plan was launched.
Experts from the National Center for Territorial Development adopted the final draft of the Maritime Spatial Plan of Bulgaria with a timespan until 2035. This is one of the last steps in the process of developing and coordinating the first national strategy document addressing Bulgarian maritime space. It is to be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval, the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works said Wednesday.
To support the elaboration of the National Maritime Spatial Plan, pilot plans for MSP have been elaborated in the framework of the MARPLAN BS and MARSPLAN BS II projects.
MSP Legislation
Bulgaria transposed the Directive 2014/89/EU by an amendment of the Maritime Spaces, Inland Waterways and Ports of the Republic of Bulgaria Act. The Advisory Council on Maritime Spatial Planning has been working since 2018 on the development of the Plan. Some general measures that cover MSP (and ICZM) are mentioned in the Development Strategies of the coastal districts (Burgas, Varna and Dobrich), in the National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture in Bulgaria (2014-2020) and in the National Regional Development Strategy (2012-2022).
Natural MSP Authorities
The overall management and coordination of the Maritime Spatial Planning related activities are performed by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, who is also responsible for development and maintaining of the Maritime Spatial Plan of Bulgaria (Article 51b).
Furthermore, an Advisory Council on Maritime Spatial Planning is established as a subsidiary body to the Minister. The latter supports the cooperation and coordination between relevant stakeholders during the Maritime Spatial Planning process.
Contact
Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works
Directorate General “Strategic Planning and Regional Development Programs”
1.Mr. Ivaylo Stoyanov
Head of Department "Strategic Planning and Programming"
Sofia 1618, 215 Tsar Boris III blvd.
tel. +3592 9405 627
e-mail: istoyanov@mrrb.government.bg
2. Ms. Stanislava Atanasova,
Chief Expert in DG "Strategic Planning and Regional Development Programs"
е-mail: satanasova@mrrb.government.bg
tel. +3592 9405 655