Programme: Environment

Toward the end of 2018, EAFA has 3 control vessels (patrol boats). They are provided to ensure control activities by sea to the territorial units located along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast (Burgas, Varna and Dobrich). Practice shows that EAFA's patrol boats are inappropriate for adequate control (one that does not jeopardize the safety at sea of the inspector and the inspected fisherman) of fishing vessels with lower free-board, mainly vessels up to 12 meters in length. By 31.12.2018, the fishing fleet of the Republic of Bulgaria consist of 1857 vessels. 1762 (95%) of them are with LOA up to 12 meters. This makes the use of the current patrol vessels inefficient, risky, and in certain cases even impossible. Fishing vessels' shelters are situated along the entire Bulgarian coastline, 75 in total. The designated ports for turbot landings (which are 8) are the priority for control activities, as they fall under the commitment undertaken by the Republic of Bulgaria toward the European Commission in connection with the adoption of Council Regulation (EC) 2018/2058 of 17 December 2018, fixing the fishing opportunities 2019 for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks in the Black Sea, as well as in the entire area of the Gulf of Burgas. The Gulf of Burgas is one of the most active fishing areas and it includes the newly built fishing ports in Sarafovo and Kraimorie. The project proposal aims to purchase 9 small patrol boats (with a total length of approximately 5-6 meters), complete with trailers, thus ensuring mobility, wide scope and cost optimization. Due to the wide range of action, the boat with trailers included, should be suitable with a weight of no more than 2000 kg. (generally acceptable for towing by an average mass vehicles).