1. The Black Sea – a pilot area to understand the marine ecosystem evolution and to develop protective recommendations Yuvenaly Zaitsev

2. An Exceptional Sea The Black Sea (BS) is an inland intercontinental sea. Because of heavy discharge of river water the surface layer of the BS has a relatively low salinity 16-18 which below 200 m reaches 21-22. This, combined with the shallowness of the connecting channels with the Mediterranean, makes the BS a stagnant marine area. As a result 87% of water column and 75% of bottom are contaminated with H 2 S.

3. An Exceptional Sea This area was traditionally considered azoic (without life) except anaerobic bacteria. Last time, viable dormant stages of dozen species of aerobic bacteria, unicellular algae and fungi in the deepest sediments of the sea were discovered. Because of low number of marine species, the BS has a limited ecological immunity and is open for penetration of alien species.

6. Achievements First textbook An Introduction to the Black Sea Ecology for students, First Posters for involving the public in environmental protection actions: Save the Black Sea, Commercial Fisheries in the Black Sea. Three decades of decline and Endangered Species of the Black Sea Wetlands