direction. Fishing by active fishing gears is carried out on small fishing vessels
(>12 m) in the 3-miles zone offshore (Raykov 2006). During summer (July–
August), most abundant fish species in front of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is
the sprat, dwelling in the water column under the termocline (usually under 10.5 C)under 20 m. The warm period (May–October) is the main fishing season along the
entire Bulgarian coast. During this period (start in May) the spring migration of the
horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) and Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)
occurs. The two species migrate near the shore for spawning and feeding. The
second migration of the horse mackerel occurs in September–October. During these
months, depending on economic reasons (fuel price) many fishing vessels are
orientated for (horse mackerel) active fishing with OTM in the southern part
down the city of Bourgas.
Trap nets (60 with GPS and registered) were situated along the Bulgarian coast,
being in the Southern region-Bourgas to Ahtopol with highest concentration. Very
low percent of the total catches belongs to the stationary pound nets. Most actively
exploited demersal fish species in Bulgarian territorial waters is the turbot (with
gillnets), excluding 45–60 day period of complete ban every year. Fishing free
zones are those areas used as military polygons, and protected areas – e.g., regions
in front of Cape Kaliakra (500 m from the coast) and marine reserve” Cockatrice”
in the southern BG part. Fishery beyond the 3-mile zone till 12 miles (EEZ zone) is
permitted. The most intensive fisheries of the Black Sea sprat is conducted in April
till October with bottom and mid-water trawls on vessels 15–30 m long and >30 m
(very small number). After 12-mile zone special permission is needed for fishing.
Harvesting of Black Sea sprat is conducted during the day, when the sprat aggregations become denser and are successfully fished by trawling fishing gears. The
length of Black Sea sprat in catches makes up 65–120 mm. Whiting (Merlangius
merlangus euxinus) represents by-catch of the sprat fishery (by active fishing gears)
and is not fished independently. Its agglomerations are close to the bottom, usually
under 60–70 m depths. Highly migrating species like bluefish (Pomatomus
saltatrix) and bonito (Sarda sarda) are being caught by passive fishing gears in
the BG southern part (Sozopol, Nessebar, mostly) accidentally, during (August–
October) (Raykov 2006).
(Rapana venosa) fishery, although forbidden with dredge and bottom trawls
(most recently in 2012) allowed in special zones by beam trawls), is one of the main
fishery activities with high economic value. Rapa whelk is fished on sandy bottoms.
Fisheries of picked dogfish and rays (thornback ray and stingray) are conducted
with baited hooks and dogfish nets all year when the hydro-meteorological conditions are suitable, most often where sprat (its main food) are concentrated. Sturgeon
fishery is banned with all means in the Bulgarian Black Sea waters (Kolarov 2010).
Bulgaria has a coastline of 378 km, a continental shelf of 10,886 km
2 and an
Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea of about 25,699 km
2 . Most of the
fishing activities are carried out in territorial waters (up to 12 nm). On 31 December
2013 the Bulgarian fleet consists of 2043 vessels, operating only in the Black Sea,
(Fig. 25.2) with an aggregated total of 6587 GT and 57,383 kW (COM 2010). There
are 1949 fishing vessels smaller than 12 m representing approximately 95.4% of all
416
V. St. Raykov and S. Nicheva
(>12 m) in the 3-miles zone offshore (Raykov 2006). During summer (July–
August), most abundant fish species in front of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is
the sprat, dwelling in the water column under the termocline (usually under 10.5 C)under 20 m. The warm period (May–October) is the main fishing season along the
entire Bulgarian coast. During this period (start in May) the spring migration of the
horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus) and Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)
occurs. The two species migrate near the shore for spawning and feeding. The
second migration of the horse mackerel occurs in September–October. During these
months, depending on economic reasons (fuel price) many fishing vessels are
orientated for (horse mackerel) active fishing with OTM in the southern part
down the city of Bourgas.
Trap nets (60 with GPS and registered) were situated along the Bulgarian coast,
being in the Southern region-Bourgas to Ahtopol with highest concentration. Very
low percent of the total catches belongs to the stationary pound nets. Most actively
exploited demersal fish species in Bulgarian territorial waters is the turbot (with
gillnets), excluding 45–60 day period of complete ban every year. Fishing free
zones are those areas used as military polygons, and protected areas – e.g., regions
in front of Cape Kaliakra (500 m from the coast) and marine reserve” Cockatrice”
in the southern BG part. Fishery beyond the 3-mile zone till 12 miles (EEZ zone) is
permitted. The most intensive fisheries of the Black Sea sprat is conducted in April
till October with bottom and mid-water trawls on vessels 15–30 m long and >30 m
(very small number). After 12-mile zone special permission is needed for fishing.
Harvesting of Black Sea sprat is conducted during the day, when the sprat aggregations become denser and are successfully fished by trawling fishing gears. The
length of Black Sea sprat in catches makes up 65–120 mm. Whiting (Merlangius
merlangus euxinus) represents by-catch of the sprat fishery (by active fishing gears)
and is not fished independently. Its agglomerations are close to the bottom, usually
under 60–70 m depths. Highly migrating species like bluefish (Pomatomus
saltatrix) and bonito (Sarda sarda) are being caught by passive fishing gears in
the BG southern part (Sozopol, Nessebar, mostly) accidentally, during (August–
October) (Raykov 2006).
(Rapana venosa) fishery, although forbidden with dredge and bottom trawls
(most recently in 2012) allowed in special zones by beam trawls), is one of the main
fishery activities with high economic value. Rapa whelk is fished on sandy bottoms.
Fisheries of picked dogfish and rays (thornback ray and stingray) are conducted
with baited hooks and dogfish nets all year when the hydro-meteorological conditions are suitable, most often where sprat (its main food) are concentrated. Sturgeon
fishery is banned with all means in the Bulgarian Black Sea waters (Kolarov 2010).
Bulgaria has a coastline of 378 km, a continental shelf of 10,886 km
2 and an
Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea of about 25,699 km
2 . Most of the
fishing activities are carried out in territorial waters (up to 12 nm). On 31 December
2013 the Bulgarian fleet consists of 2043 vessels, operating only in the Black Sea,
(Fig. 25.2) with an aggregated total of 6587 GT and 57,383 kW (COM 2010). There
are 1949 fishing vessels smaller than 12 m representing approximately 95.4% of all
416
V. St. Raykov and S. Nicheva