Romania overcomes obstacles to advance major Black Sea project

Romania is inaugurating underwater seagrass meadows and artificial reefs, after 20 years of efforts to reduce coastal erosion, the National Administration of Romanian Waters (ANAR) announced on Wednesday, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

'Romania is writing history in the Black Sea. The blue-green lungs of the sea - reefs and underwater meadows. After 20 years of efforts to reduce coastal erosion, Romania is inaugurating underwater seagrass meadows (Zostera Noltii) and artificial reefs, with Cystoseira Barbata transplants,' a post on the institution's Facebook page states.

According to ANAR, over 20 hectares are already landscaped, with direct benefits such as carbon capture, seabed stabilization, shelter for fish, seahorses and other creatures, and protection against erosion.

'This project places Romania on the map of restoring marine ecosystems in Europe. It is not just about planting underwater vegetation, but about concrete measures to restore an essential ecological balance and invest in a sustainable future for Romania's coastal area,' said Stelica Hagi, director of ABA Dobrogea-Litoral, quoted in the ANAR post.

In turn, Nicusor Buzgaru, project manager at Apele Romane Dobrogea-Litoral, mentioned the procedural, institutional and financial obstacles encountered by any large-scale project, emphasizing, however, that this project is very close to exceeding the physical stage of 80% execution.

'Like any large-scale project, there were numerous procedural, institutional and financial obstacles, but with sustained efforts they were overcome one by one, reaching the point where today we are very close to exceeding the threshold of 80% physical stage of project execution. We have learned a lot in these years and in the end we will have not only a major project implemented but also the experience of this type of work', stated Nicusor Buzgaru.

Mihaela Andra Negoi, director of the Investment Directorate - Romanian Waters, showed that thanks to the financial support of the European Union, the assistance provided by the European Investment Bank and the involvement of state institutions, the project sets a new standard in coastal protection and restoration of marine ecosystems in Eastern Europe.

Within the EU co-financed project, implemented by Apele Române through ABA Dobrogea-Litoral, in partnership with the National Institute for Marine Research and Development 'Grigore Antipa', INCD GeoEcoMar, ONG Mare Nostrum, Ovidius University of Constanta and other scientific institutes, by 2027, over 700,000 square meters and 13 artificial reefs will be developed, a major step for the future of the Romanian coastline, ANAR claims.