D8.1 INTEGRATED POLICY REVIEW AND DIALOGUE IN THE BLACK SEA

Blue economy (BE) is fundamental for the economic growth and sustainability of the Black Sea countries. Nature and human-driven pressures on the Black Sea marine and coastal ecosystems over the past 50 years, however, have made the sea basin extremely vulnerable, impeding any efforts for sustainable and resilient economic development.

Acknowledging these risks, the Black Sea countries have placed importance on supporting Blue Economy development in a sustainable manner. At the regional level, all Black Sea countries have endorsed the two most inclusive and representative regional frameworks, the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea (CMA) and its scientific pillar, the Black Sea Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (Black Sea SRIA); while they participate in regional projects and partnerships, and in bottom-up consultations focusing on blue economy (e.g. national consultations for the SRIA Implementation Plan).

At the national policy level, not all countries have adopted national strategies and policies targeting all blue economy sectors. However, this is not indicative of their lack of interest in investing in the blue economy sectors’ potential, rather than a gap in going forward with knowledge-based policymaking that could translate European and international guidelines into national policies.

The BRIDGE-BS project was launched in 2021 with the aim to fill in this gap and advance the science-based development of the blue economy in the Black Sea, through an inclusive and impact-targeted strategy. Within this context, the present report provides a baseline assessment of national policies and strategies in relation to existing European and international policy frameworks; firstly at sector level, focusing on established and emerging Blue Economy sectors; and secondly, cross-sectoral, focusing
on three overarching priorities, i.e. multistressors impact on Black Sea ecosystems, innovation and entrepreneurship, and capacity building and skills.

For the purposes of the present assessment, desk research and consultations with different groups of policy stakeholders were implemented during the period June 2021 - March 2023. The report identified policy gaps, challenges and opportunities for further action at policy and operational levels, to be addressed by both the BRIDGE- BS project and all involved stakeholders.

The report will serve as a basis for further science-policy dialogue and knowledge activities tailormade for policy stakeholders. It will also support the ongoing research and services development under the BRIDGE-BS project, in a targeted and result-oriented manner based on actual needs and priorities. Overall, good examples of cooperation and performance have been identified. It is observed also, that some blue economy sectors are more developed than others. Established BE sectors i.e. coastal and maritime tourism, shipbuilding, fisheries and maritime transport, show higher development, mainly due to existing infrastructure, countries’ long experience, and high profit that feeds further development. The most prominent emerging sectors with strong potential that require further support in order to boost their activity are marine renewable energy and aquaculture. Challenges in these sectors are related to lack of, or outdated infrastructure and facilities, access to technology and funding. The least developed sector, but with increasing interest among the scientific communities, is blue biotechnologies, due to a lack of legal framework, funding, awareness about the sector, scientific knowledge and skilled workforce.

Aside from any sectoral gaps, bottlenecks are observed cross-sectoral, such as lack of skills to meet current needs; access to funding; data sharing; coordination of stakeholders; and mitigation of environmental stressors. These are amplified further by other regional and international stressors, like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the Asian market infiltration in the region, and other regional and national socioeconomic stressors like brain drain, lack of investments and
unemployment.

In parallel, continuous coordination among all involved stakeholders at both national and transnational levels remains the number one priority and prerequisite for successful efforts to address common barriers for sustainable development. In this context, three overarching nodes i.e. multistressors impact on ecosystems, innovation and entrepreneurship, capacity building and skills, which are in line with the overall BRIDGE-BS concept and nodes (Service Dynamics, Blue Growth Incubators, and Empowered Citizens), were used as discussion catalysts with national and regional stakeholders to further the science-policy dialogue for a sustainable blue economy in the
Black Sea.