In summary, the stakeholder analysis demonstrates two very important issues: first, that
overall stakeholders feel a level of connection to the health of the Black Sea that should be
nurtured through increasing awareness of causes and effects of environmental issues; and
second, that stakeholder groups tend to be divided along economic interests when it comes to
a perceived tradeoff between economic and environmental priorities. These two major
findings suggest that a strategy of stakeholder involvement that focuses on education and
awareness specific to individual stakeholder groups, in combination with increasing the
awareness the economic benefits of environmental stewardship should be considered for
future activities in the Black Sea. Stakeholder appear to be ready and willing to accept the
information, and over all they appear to willing to consider alternative practices, if these are
presented in a clear and logic manner that will not significantly hamper their economic
conditions. Specific actions may include the following recommendations:
- Develop focused stakeholder involvement strategies for livestock industry and port
and harbor administrators to help them recognize and remedy actions that adversely
impact the Black Sea ecosystem.
- Target activities towards helping groups to adjust their current practices to more
environmentally sustainable approaches, in all areas and issues.
- Increase outreach efforts that emphasize the importance of biodiversity and habitat
conservation.
- Target efforts to inform stakeholder groupss about nutrient loading and
eutrophication, and provide alternative approaches to current waste water and nutrient
management practices.
- Develop an outreach programme that includes stakeholders from all fisheries sectors
to take steps towards addressing the causes of over-fishing.
- Develop targeted interventions for the tourism and recreation industry to help it to
take steps to avoid negatively impacting the waters of the Black Sea.
- Develop an outreach component for the BS Commission that links the economic
well-being of the region with the health of the Black Sea.
|