Institute of Fish Resources activities and projects AGRICULTURE ACADEMY - SOFIA INSTITUTE OF FISH RESOURCES – VARNA Varna 9000, Blvd. “Primorski” 4, tel: 052/632066, Е-mail: Elitsa Petrova, PhD Vice Director of IFR

Institute of Fish Resources (IFR) is a governmental research organization, established in Since the early 1950-s IFR has been the only marine Institute operating regularly in Bulgarian Black Sea waters. Currently the accumulated data gives possibility to conclude on major shifts of the Black Sea ecosystem in the long-term run.

The activity of IFR has been focusing on studying the Black Sea ecosystem, the dynamics of fish species from economic point of view and the biodiversity.

AQUARIUM– LAB COMPLEX RESEARCH VESSEL “PROF. АL. VALKANOV” LIBRARY 1932INFRASTRUCTURE

established in 1932 the oldest aquarium at Balkan peninsula. Its center of the popularization of the Black sea flora and fauna, also exotic species, shell collections and ect.

PROMOTION OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE BLACK SEA

It owes more than scientific and specialized books, manuals, periodical issues in the spheres of marine biology, hydrochemistry, oceanography, ichthyology, fishery and fish industry, mariculture, aquarium matters, etc – First edition of the IFR – Proceedings of marine biological station in Varna. In the next years regularly issue volumes of IFR.

IFR - Varna make constant monitoring in coastal and open sea along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. MONITORING - implemented year-round with the research vessel of IFR - "Prof. Al. Vulkanov “. LAB COMPLEX:

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE ACTIVITIES PROJECTS TO AGRICULTURAL ACADEMY - 14 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS- 11 PROJECTS TO OTHER MINISTRIES - 6 RESEARCH AND SCIENCE ACTIVITIES PROJECTS TO AGRICULTURAL ACADEMY - 14 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS- 11 PROJECTS TO OTHER MINISTRIES - 6

Dynamics of the trophic base and commercial fish stock in the Black sea -monitoring Population dynamics of the fish species in the Black Sea-monitoring Main themes Impact of the pollution on the on marine organisms along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast Investigations of non-fish marine living resources with economic importance Main themes

Projects to other Ministries Ministry of Education and Science, bilateral and multilateral Implementing of expert research for Establishment of national network for monitoring of Black Sea dolphins in Bulgaria and elaborating adequate measures for mitigation of adverse fishery impact during their feeding and reproduction migrations and negative fishing impact, , Ministry of Environment and Water Hydrobiological monitoring of marine waters part of the national programme for monitoring of surface water “, 2011, Ministry of Environment and Water Ensuring access and adaptation of cultural history and sports facilities with international, national and regional significance “, Ministry of Labor and Social Policy Identification of sturgeons in the danube and black sea- EAWAG, IAD and IFR Improvement of the scientific background for assuring sustainable development in the Black Sea coastal zone – pre-feasibility study – BSEC project constructing high technological research infrastructure for carrying out complex researches on the black sea, using R/V “prof. Valkanov”, ministry of education and science Utilization of marine biological resources and derived products as ecological supplements to nutrient blends for birds and ruminants, ministry of education and science

daNUbs- “Nutrient management in the Danube basin and its impact on the Black Sea” - EUROGEL ( ): “EUROpean GELatinous zooplankton: Mechanisms behind jellyfish blooms and their ecological and socio-economic effects Black Sea Scene – Black Sea Scientific network; IASON-International Action for Sustainability of the Mediterranean and Black Sea Environment; SAFE-SME Action for the Environment in New Member States and Associated Candidate Countries. ComFish - Strengthening the impact of fisheries related research through dissemination, communication and technology transfer V, VI, VII Frame work Program of EU

In recent years the management of IFA Varna gives priority to the science practice projects. The majority of scientists of IFR participate as consultants in projects under the Structural Funds "Fisheries and Aquaculture". This is a priority policy for the Institute. The including of our experts in working groups: biodiversity, invasive species to different Ministries and organizations.

THE FOCUS OF THE INVESTIGATIONS: Impact of the pollution and climate changes - leads to changes in the natural conditions of marine water through introduction of non-sea substances - increasing concentration of natural components above the permissible limits, transportation and distribution of harmful organisms; - 70% of the pollutants are imported from the six Black Sea countries and the remaining 30% imported in Black Sea via the River of Danube. Investigations of fish and non-fish marine resources The fish population decreasing in the World Ocean and Black sea and the firms directed to some non-fish resources like: Rapana venosa, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Chamelea gallina. Its is necessary to make regular investigations of populations of fish and non-fish marine living organisms and sustainable management.

MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Balkan Environmental Association" (B.EN.A.), Thessaloniki, Greece Thessaloniki, Greece The International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers IAMSLIC Libraries and Information Centers IAMSLIC

MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS International Water Association (IWA), London, UK, International Water Association (IWA), London, UK, Co-Chair of the IWA SG on IG & R. Co-Chair of the IWA SG on IG & R. Water Environment Federation (WEF), Alexandria, U.S.A. Water Environment Federation (WEF), Alexandria, U.S.A. Foundation for Environmental European Education (FEEE) Foundation for Environmental European Education (FEEE) International Association for Danube Research (IAD) International Association for Danube Research (IAD)