Black Sea military activity causes decline in Bulgarian fish catches

Fishermen in Nessebar, Bulgaria, report a drastic decline in fish catches due to explosions and military activities in the Black Sea. The industry warns that these conditions, linked to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, are driving fish away from the Bulgarian coast.

In addition to the noise from detonations potentially displacing marine life, fishermen have reported spotting floating debris, including fallen drones and missile components, in the water. For safety reasons, fishing vessels are increasingly avoiding nighttime operations due to the risks and lack of visibility.

The industry is facing a combination of low yields and doubled fuel costs. Consequently, representatives are calling for financial support from the Bulgarian government and the European Commission to mitigate the economic impact. Similar difficulties have been reported by Romanian fishermen, and the issue was recently discussed at the Black Sea Advisory Council meeting in Varna.