Doc. 13.8
13th Meeting of the Advisory Group on Conservation and Biodiversity
Draft Minutes
September 5th , 2008, Odessa, Istanbul
A1: Opening and welcome, introduction of participants, adoption of the Agenda,
approval of the Minutes of 12th CBD AG.
Mrs Velikova opened the meeting, the participants presented themselves, the Agenda was
adopted. The Minutes of the previous meetings were approved with minor changes
expected (incorporation of Turkish comments). The Decisions taken during the previous
meeting were overviewed for performance (see Annex I)1.
A2: CBD Reporting – GAPs in data collection. Countries contributions to the Annual
report of the AGs for the Commission in the Format outlined in the Reference2.
The Focal points of states gave presentations based on the Annually reported data in the
field of CBD. Missing reports – Russia and Turkey3.
Bulgaria – reported Mrs. Snejana Moncheva. In line with the WFD, indicators for each
station of observation are in separate calculated. Special methodology for calculation of
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In Annex 2 we also extracted the Living Resources Management Part of the Work Plan for 2007/8 to
show the progress achieved.
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Report for each country in figures/analysis of trends in the annual dynamics/change in seasonal
patterns of:

And also:





Phytoplankton and primary production (including information about blooming species in 2007 in
national waters: name of the species and their maximal concentration)
Zooplankton
Seaweeds
Zoobenthos (meio- and macro-)
Marine mammals
Invasive species



Protected areas developments
Conservation status of species
CBD Projects and publications
In the introductory note of the report answers to a Questionnaire outlined as follows:
1.
Number of cruises performed for biodiversity assessment in year 2008; (all of them and how many of them you
report to the BSC);
2.
Number of stations (sampling points); (all of them and how many of them you report to the BSC);
3.
List of monitored parameters;
4.
National institutions (laboratories) involved, names of experts providing data
5.
Data were reported to. . (except to the BSC).
6.
Financing assured by . .
7.
Size of funding
8.
QA/QC- how is organized in the involved laboratories
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Turkey provided report after the meeting.
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indicators has been applied. Basic rule - if one of the descriptors is in the state ‘bad’, then
the whole station is assigned to a bad quality state.
State of Bulgarian waters: species richness is at a high level, however, change in
functional groups calls for attention. The change in the depth distribution of benthic
species has not been reported.
Mokievsky recommended a List of Black Sea Publications to be compiled and displayed
on the WEB page of the Commission. Mrs Moncheva reminded that there was a Black
Sea SCENE Project (FP6 EC), one of which components was to compile such list of
publications. Mrs Moncheva suggested to better revive the Expert Pool on the WEB page
of the Commission and create Forum for scientific discussions.
Georgia: reported by Mrs. Nino Tshadadze. Mnemiopsis leidyi and Beroe ovata have not
been reported in the list of macrozoobenthos, though GE waters are refugee area for
them. It was recommended trends to be included in the reporting further.
Romania: reported by Mrs Valeria Abaza. All parameters reported, 35 stations of
monitoring. Specifics observed – large accumulation of macroalgae at the coast,
Cladophora prevalence (opportunistic species, proliferating in waters rich in nitrates).
R: Mrs Moncheva will send to the BSC PS the Reference values outlined for
phytoplankton and benthic communities.
R: Mrs Abaza will send information on the prices of biological samples processing.
Russia: no reported data. Mr. Mokievsky suggested all of us to read the publications
produced by the Shirshov Institute. Mr. Mokievsky gave very short overview of the
activities in 2007 onboard Akvanavt vessel in Spring and November 2007 –
phytoplankton, zooplankton, meiobenthos, macrozoobenthos, macroalgae were
investigated from Anapa to Adler. Joint project with Turkey on Zostera was carried out.
Satellite data will be used for mapping of Zostera beds and to compare present with
previous distributions. Kerch accident effects were studied in a special cruise in Januaryearly February 2008 (bottom communities at Taman – mussel tissue, cells structure, etc.
investigated). The zooplankton community looks stable, benthos – drastic decline in
Bivalvia, 10 years results were summarized in a publication of Chikina (Ref. ???).
Meiobenthos was a subject of publication summarizing its status since 1980s
(Mokievsky&Vorobieva????). Cystoseira recovers, its max depth distribution increases
gradually. Phyllophora – no signs of improvement. Distribution of birds might be of
interest in the region and there are plans to start monitoring from vessels. It was checked
both in the Caspian and in the North Sea – bird counts from the shore and from vessels
are different. PAs – several areas are nominated – Maria Magdalena Bank (in front of
Anapa, area of special interest to scientists), Blue Bank nearby Gelendjik. Areas of longterm observations should be protected as any other ecosystem of special value. Red data
Book – in the case of Russia, better to use the Red data List of Krasnodar Krai. It has
been recently approved.
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R: Mr Mokievsky will send the Red List of Krasnodar Krai to the BSC PS.
Two questions were discussed after the presentation: What science can do for the BSC
and what the BSC can do for the scientific community.
Mrs Velikova explained that the scientific community was expected to support the
decision making in the region by giving recommendations based on their best knowledge
of the environment. The BSC organizes for the scientific community trainings, supports
networking, conferences, seminars, etc., publishes State of the Environment report,
provides dissemination of knowledge, etc.
R: Mr. Mokievsky will send to the BSC PS List of recent publications (Shirshov
scientists, and others. Note: of special interest are publications on Russian waters). List of
experts to replenish the Expert Pool of the BSC. The BSC will send to Mr Mokievsky
Announcement to be displayed in the Shirshov Institute about the terms of collaboration
proposed by the BSC PS.
R: The BSC PS will check whether electronic publication on the WEB page of the
Commission would prevent from publishing the papers in pier reviewed journals later.
Mrs S. Moncheva proposed a special Forum for the Scientific Community to be created
on the WEB page of the Commission. The part with the Expert pool to be strengthen and
updated. The Forum to provide possibility for scientific news to be uploaded, questions to
be displayed and scientific problems discussed. Mrs Velikova promised to help in
arranging such a Forum, and the latter undoubtedly will strengthen the relations between
the BSC and the scientific community.
Turkey: TU mentioned again problems with getting CBD data, and promised to provide
report after the meeting. Funding is allocated for 2009. Proposal: National Scientific
Committees should be organized with different kind of experts in it, with ToR similar to
the one of the CBD AG, and the Chairman of such Committee to be representative in the
BSC CBD AG.
Mr. Kostuishin proposed Thematic Groups to be created for the BSC itself. Mrs
Moncheva supported the idea. And it should not be a responsibility of the BSC PS to
force the Governments in the region to provide resources for such Thematic Groups. The
states themselves should recognize the need to strengthen the work of the BSC and
support it financially better. Mr. Mokievsky suggested to use the BSC as an umbrella for
initiating projects. Mr. Aleksandrov mentioned that first we need a List of experts from
all states who are ready to work free of charge, and then we can think about thematic
groups and other reorganizations.
Ukraine: reported Ms Lesya Garlitska. All basic parameters of reporting were covered,
state of limans, Danube Delta area and Odessa Bay discussed.
The UA Red Data Book is ready almost, still a few fish species are under discussion.
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Mr. Kostiushin reported EU project on birds (see Wetland International Website
announcement) and Meeting on Cormorant (The International scientific and practical
conference “Numbers and distribution of the Great Cormorant in Ukraine: characteristics
of population and approaches to management of numbers” 15-18 September 2008
Melitopol, Ukraine).
Mr Alexandrov mentioned that the BSC would need the Decision of the Conference, as
the Cormorant population was proposed for regulation, however, the FOMLR and CBD
AGs did not approve of it.
Note: Mr. Kostiushin later provided the Decision of the Conference conducted 15-18
September in Melitopol. The Decision is about applying to the Black Sea Commission to
include the Cormorant in the list of species which population should be regulated.
The Focal Points proposed Black Sea states Ministry of Environments to send letters to
scientific Institutions with request to provide data for the CBD reporting in line with Art.
13 of the CBD Protocol:
2. The Commission shall report on the state of the biological and landscape diversity and
efficacy of undertaken measures to preserve and manage it to the Meeting of the
Contracting Parties on five years basis in a jointly agreed reporting format.
The presentations will be used to compile the Annual report of the Group for the
Commission4.
A3. New CBD Format and agreed List of Indicators
The group overviewed all the proposals of indicators, keeping in mind that they should be
simple and understandable by non-professionals. Mr. P. Goriup reminded that we needed
not biological indicators but biodiversity. The group deals with conservation of
biodiversity and in the reporting format this should also be taken into consideration. So
far we collect data mainly on the status of the living part of the ecosystem, but we know a
little about the conservation, state of habitats and landscapes, response of the living Black
Sea to chronic or accidental pollution and measures taken in response. The stress should
be on:
Key species (quantities, distribution) – sensitive, measurable;
Extend of PAs – years, surface, management plans, number of threatened species in
them, etc.;
Coverage of the different zones: coastal., pelagic, benthic. % of protected zones;
Key habitats - state, area, mapping to show changes in time.
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As usual all the Presentations are uploaded onto the WEB page of the Commission in the section of the
CBD AG together with the rest of the Odessa meeting documents.
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R: Mr Paul Goriup was kindly asked to help in selecting of proper indicators to reflect the
status of Conservation of Biodiversity in the BS region.
The new Reporting Format was discussed, a few changes were introduced, key species
for reporting were identified. For meiobenthos Ms Garlitska was expected to provide the
main groups to be included for reporting (optional).
The Group approved of the ‘GUIDING PRINCIPLES for the ESTABLISHMENT of
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS in the BLACK SEA’, elaborated in the frames of the
EuropeAid Project and reported on 4th of September during the second meeting of the
project Biodiversity working Group. The CBD AG reminded that the Guideline would
need:
1. Executive summary
2. Small editorial work
3. Directions/Roadmap on the way to speed up the process of designation of MPAs
in the Black Sea region.
The BSC PS will take the lead in further work to adopt the Guidelines in the Black Sea
region bringing them first to the attention of the BSC.
Decisions 13th CBD AG Meeting
D13.1. Annex 4 of the CBD Protocol will be distributed for approval (incorporating the
Cormorant as species in need for regulation of the population).
D13.2. The CBD AG List of exotic species will be checked by Mr. Alexandrov
(comparing it with the TDA List of exotic species compiled in the frames of the BSERP
project).
D13.3. The ‘Guiding principles for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas in the
Black Sea’ (presented on 4th of September by Mr. P. Goriup) are approved, the AG
members will send their comments to Mr. Goriup till the end of September. The BSC PS
will present the Guidelines to the Black Sea Commission for approval and further
adoption of the document.
D13.4. The Group will pay attention to the Decisions from previous meetings which are
still pending and concentrate the work further on their advancement.
D13.4. The Black Sea states Ministries of Environment will be asked by the BSC PS to
send official letters to Black Sea scientific Institutions with the request for providing
CBD data in support of the CBD AG reporting to the Commission.
D13.5. The new Reporting Format shall be agreed by the group as soon as possible
(finalizing discussions via E-mail) and used for the reporting in 2009 for 2008.
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Reminders
R13.1: Mrs Moncheva will send to the BSC PS the Reference values outlined for
phytoplankton and benthic communities.
R13.2: Mrs Abaza will send information on the prices of biological samples processing.
R13.3: Mr Mokievsky will send the Red List of Krasnodar Krai to the BSC PS.
R13.4: Mr. Mokievsky will send to the BSC PS List of recent publications (Shirshov
scientists, and others. Note: of special interest are publications on Russian waters). List of
experts to replenish the Expert Pool of the BSC. The BSC will send to Mr Mokievsky
Announcement to be displayed in the Shirshov Institute about the terms of collaboration
proposed by the BSC PS.
R13.5: The BSC PS will check whether electronic publication on the WEB page of the
Commission would prevent from publishing the papers in pier reviewed journals later.
R13.6: Mr Paul Goriup was kindly asked to help in selecting of proper indicators to
reflect the status of Conservation of Biodiversity in the BS region.
R13.7: The list of indicators needs to be further discussed: how we better can reflect the
status of biodiversity conservation. The discussions can be continued by E-mail.
Document for discussions is prepared (based on the proposal for indicators of V. Abaza)
and will be distributed to the CBD AG members.
R13.8: The BSC PS will arrange on the website of the BSC special Forum for scientific
communication and will promote update of the Expert Pool.
Annex I.
Report on the CBD AG Decisions taken during the 12th CBD AG meeting
(November 2007).
D12/10.1: The participants agreed to compile lists of National and International
projects to be uploaded onto the WEB page of the BS Commission. The
performance on a National level needs to be better advertised on the regional scene.
Pending.
D12/10.2: The countries agreed with the proposal of Mr. Alexandrov on the
additional species of commercial importance. The countries decided the Cormorant
Ph. carbo not to be included into Annex 4.
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The species was proposed to be included in the List of Regulated Species during the
Conference …..
D12/10.4: The Focal Points will send to the BSC PS their countries lists of regulated
species and Annex 4 will be updated. Deadline March 2008.
Pending.
D12/10.5: In relation to the Red Data book update, the Focal points will send their
official Red Data lists to the BSC PS before end of March. Mr. Alexandrov will send
the last version of the regional list and EUCN categories/criteria to the BSC PS.
Pending for Bulgaria and Russia, the other states contributed..
D12/10.6: The updated Red data list will be uploaded on the WEB page of the BS
Commission at the end of April.
Pending, see above.
D12.6:: The proposals for amendments of the CBD Reporting Format, prepared by
Mr. Alexandrov, Mr. Mokievsky and Ms. S. Moncheva will be distributed to the AG
for consideration and drafting of the new CBD Format.
The new Reporting Format was proposed by the BSC PS, discussed during the 13 th
meeting and improved.
D12.7: After the meeting the list of habitats has to be distributed to the participants
in the Habitats Classification and Mapping Workshop also for final contributions.
30th of November is expected the contribution of all authors. 5
Some of the authors still have not contributed.
D12.8: Ms Velikova will distribute all the proposals (indicators) to the CBD AG
members and in E-mail discussions the group will try to take such decision.
The indicators were distributed, no discussion took place. Pending.
D12.9: The CBD AG members are expected to comment on the priorities outlined
for the near future till the end of January (together with other comments on the
Minutes), as during the meeting the time was not enough to finalize the discussion.
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We still do not have the full contributions of Mr. Alexandrov, Mr. Mokievsky, Ms. V. Todorova and Mr.
D. Micu. The list will be published on the WEB page of the Commission with the names of all authors only
after it is fully compiled with all the missing information.
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No comments arrived.
Annex 2
Report on the Work Plan for 2007/2008
Area of
Work
B.
Management
of Living
Resources
BS
Biodiversity
Assessment
Activity
Participants
Responsible
Entities
1)
Continuation
of the work on
the of habitat
classification
and mapping
2) Facilitate
the designation
of MPAs in the
region
EEA, BSC
PS, CBD
and FOMLR
Ags, others
BSC PS,
CBD and
FOMLR
AGs
3) Upgrade of
the
methodological
basis for
biological
studies (e.g
jellyfish)
Output
Deadline
BSC PS,
Black Sea
countries
MPAs
Continuous
BSC PS,
CBD AG
Methodology
Nov-08
Estimated
cost
Performance
upon
availability
of funding
Continued
Worked
together with
EuropeAid
for the
Guiding
Principles.
There is a
new version
provided by
Tamara
Shiganova,
distributed
for comments
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