total: 237,500 sq km
land: 230,340 sq km
Coastline: 225 km
Population: 22,334,312 (July 1999 est.)
Source: CIA Worldfact Book (2000)
Romania
Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection
Romanian Marine Research
Institute
(Source: CIA World Factbook 1999)
Many thanks to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, the source of the following information. The information was taken from the Romania's submission to the 5th and 7th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (last update: November 1998). For further information on the Romania's social and economic factors, natural resources, and institutional structures see the United Nations System-Wide Web Site on National Implementation of the Rio Commitments National Information for Romania at:
http://www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/countr/romania/index.htm
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea has not been signed.
Integrated Decision-Making
Responsible for managing integrated coastal zone management and sustainable development, are the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Public Works and Territorial Planning, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Ministry of Transports, and the Ministry of Tourism and Local authorities.
Marine environmental protection is managed by the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Industries and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ministry of Transport and Local authorities.
Responsibility for the sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources lies with the Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Local authorities.
There is a National Strategic Plan of Action for Protection and Rehabilitation of the Black Sea - NSPAPRB - as part of the Black Sea Environment Programme, developed in 1993 under the auspices of GEF with EU PHARE and the TACIS programs as major partners. This Strategy covers integrated coastal management and sustainable development, marine environmental protection and sustainable use and conservation of marine living resources.
Major programmes at the national level include:
1. The National C-D Programme (The Programme "Environment
and Climate") which is to be approved by Governmental
Decision;
2. The National Actions Programme for Environmental
Protection finalized and approved and the National Plan of
Intervention in case of accidental pollution with
hydrocarbons;
3. The National Action Plans for Biodiversity Conservation
and Sustainable Use of its Components.
At the regional level, the major programme is the the Black Sea Environment Programme / GEF.
Legislation has been passed covering all of the issues
related to oceans and seas. These are consistent with
international agreements and standards and
include:
- Law of Environmental Protection no. 137 / 1995
- Law of Waters no. 107 / 1996
- Law on Legal Regime of the Inland Maritime Waters, of the Territorial Sea and of the Contiguous Zone of Romania, no. 17 / 1990
Decision-making is undertaken by the Government in
consultation with organizations, the scientific community,
local authorities, and professional NGOs. Consultation with
the public in environmental impact assessments is required
by law.
Status
The most important coastal areas are Constanta, Mangalia, Sulina, and St. Gheorghe with over 1.000.000 inhabitants, in total.
The major economic activities in this areas include tourism (over 1 million / year), fishing (about 3.000 tones / years), off-shore petrol exploitation, transport and petrol processing, industry (chemical and food), and naval shipyards.
The percentage of the economy contributed by fishing is
an estimated 0.007% of GDP (estimated 2 million USD / year).
Methods in place to encourage sustainable use and
conservation of marine living resources include:
- Evaluation the state of the marine living resources;
- Establish of norms and standards relating to exploitation of these resources;
- Licensing of fishing based on the fishing quotations.
The impact of shipping on the sustainable management of
coastal zones include:
- Marine water pollution in special harbours roadstead and in the bathing area;
- Introduction of some foreign species through the ballast waters (the most recent example: ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi);
- Biocenoses affect by using rocks in the hydrotechnical construction of harbours;
- Natural framework effect from harbours and the extension of harbour installations on the land and water.
The impact of other coastal- and marine-based industries
(including tourism) on sustainable development of coastal
areas includes:
- Eutrophication;
- Raising of concentration of pathogen germs in certain sectors (during summer time);
- Pollution with petrol residues from the extraction industry (drilling platforms) and the processing industry (decreasing in the last 5 years).
The primary sources of land-based pollution of the marine
environment are coastal urban and industrial activities,
mainly through the Danube. The primary sources of sea-based
pollution of the marine environment are off-shore oil
exploitation and shipping and harbour activities. Other
problems arise from beach erosion and over-fishing by some
Black Sea riparian countries.
Major projects and activities underway or planned to
address the issues cited above are the following:
- Assessment studies for decreasing the local sources pollution;
- Technical and functional refitting of Constanta harbour, and, in particular, those activities concerning collection and elimination of wastes;
- Development and implementation of The National Emergency Plan in case of accidental pollution;
- Building of an institutional framework for carrying out all the management measures for the coastal zone established by the National Strategy Plan of Action for the Black Sea;
- Treatment station with crematorium for oil waste on the petrochemical platform of the Petromidia Company;
- Retechnologization, modernization and extension of the Constanta Sud treatment station for urban waste water;
- Taking over, stoking and treatment technologies from waste water resulting from ships and Oil Terminal storehouses;
- Modernization of the Constanta Nord treatment station for urban waste water; and
- Treatment station for urban waste water of Mangalia.
Capacity-building, education, training and
awareness-raising
Programs to educate policy makers in the concept and policy design of sustainable coastal management include the Black Sea University's Training Programs (yearly Summer Courses), and the Public Awareness Programme founded by EC / PHARE for E.I.A., E.A. & I.C.Z.M. (1995). Other training is also available through the Training Center for Intervention in case of Accidental Pollution (in the framework of EC / QUALIPOL / ECOS OUVERTURE Program); and training courses organized by UNESCO / Intergovernmental Committee for Oceans (IOC), the International Committee for Scientific Exploitation of the Mediterranean See (CIESM), and the International Institute of Oceans (IOI).
In addition, Romania carries out several activities to promote awareness of issues related to sustainable development and the oceans and seas. Included among these are the National Symposium AQUADEPOL (VI edition), which operates on a permanent basis; the 1998 Scientific Essay of the Romanian Institute for Marine Researches (IRCM) dedicated to the International Year of The Ocean and International Day of The Black Sea; and a yearly Symposium organized by the Romanian Institute for Marine Researches, local authorities and local non-governmental organization, dedicated to the International Day of The Black Sea.
Constraints
Implementation of programmes concerning oceans and seas
is constrained by a number of factors, including:
- Financial constraints:
- Lack of an appropriate institutional framework for addressing and promoting the necessary measures for implementation of objectives from the Black Sea Environment Programme.
- Insufficient co-operation among major stakeholders on developing and undertaking measures for achieving of objectives for protection and sustainable use of the marine coastal zone of the Black Sea.
- Lack of a multiparticipatory coordination body to facilitate development and implementation of measures consistent with the programs for coastal zones.
Technology
Issues related to the development, transfer and use of
environmentally-sound technologies in this programme area
include:
- Enforcement of the provisions of the MARPOL Convention.
- Access to the necessary equipment and means in case of accidental pollution with hydrocarbons;
- Improving the cleaning efficiency in the waste water treatment plants.
- All the harbour activities, urban and industrial.
In the choice of technologies, the determining factors for
decision-making are performance, reliability, and
acquisition price.
Information
Information on sustainable management of fishery resources is available through National Reports regarding the state of the marine living resources. In addition, annual Reports on the sea environment form an integral part of yearly National Report of the Environmental State in Romania. Mineral resources are covered in annual Reports on oil production achieved by marine drilling platforms. Information is also available on the increase of the sea level in relation to coastal erosion and on trends in evolution relating to state of marine environment quality and marine living resources. Geographic Information Systems are available at an incipient level.
The following World Wide Web Sites are available for
issues related to oceans and seas:
- Technical Reports, environmental impact assessment, environmental audit, national and international data bases. (partially via Internet: http://www.rmri.ro,
- www.grid.unep.ch/bsein,
- http://www.grid.unep.ch:80/bsein/redbook/index.htm
Indicators are being developed through scientific research
in oceanography, fishing, pollution control, marine
technology and engineering, ecological reconstruction in
marine zones and coastal (lakes and lagoon).
Financing
Financing for oceans and seas programmes is provided by the national budget, external assistance, and, to a small extent, private sector partnership.
Cooperation
Romania is Party to the following international
agreements:
- Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, Geneva, 1958;
- Convention on the Continental Shelf, Geneva, 1958;
- Convention on the High Seas, Geneva, 1958;
- Convention concerning fishing in the Black Sea, Varna, 1959;
- The Antarctic Treaty , Washington, 1959;
- Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty on Environmental Protection, Madrid, 1991;
- Agreement concerning co-operation in the North-West Atlantic Fisheries, Ottawa, 1978;
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Montego Bay, 1982;
- Agreement Relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, New York,1994;
- Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution, Bucharest, 1992;
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, London, 1973;
- Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, London, 1978.
Other related agreements, particularly regional and
sea-specific agreements, to which Romania is a Party
include:
- Center for Fishing in the Black Sea / GEF;
- Regional Center for Black Sea UNESCO / COI (1996);
- Operational Center for the Black Sea IOI (1997);
- University Foundation of The Black Sea / University Network (1998).
Additional bilateral , multilateral and international
cooperation in which Romania participates in order to
further activities related to sustainable development and
use of oceans and coastal areas include:
- CoMSBlack (1991-1995)
- NATO TU - Black Sea (1994-1997)
- NATO TU - Waves (1996-1998)
- NATO / CCMS (1998-2000)
- CE / EROS 2000 / 21 (1995-1998)
- CE / QUALIPOL ECOS - OUVERTURE (1998-2000)
- Black Sea Mussel Watch Pilot Study for the Black Sea
- Technical Assistance to Romania in the field of ICZM / NATO / SFP / IAEA / RER / 1 / 2 / 003.
- Black Sea Environment Programme developed on 1993 under the auspicies of GEF with EU PHARE and TACIS as major partners.
COASTAL MANAGEMENT IN ROMANIA
EUCC has compiled country files on Integrated Coastal
Management (ICM) for all coastal states of Europe and
Central Asia. Summaries for all countries will become
available in August.
This page provides a preliminary summary on the following
items for Romania:
- Spatial planning
- Environment
- Nature Conservation
- Sectoral Development
- Framework for Development of ICZM
- National Achievements in the Field of ICZM
- Problems and Constraints for the Development of ICZM
1. Spatial Planning
1.1 Legislation and Regulations
- The Law of Landfund (no. 18/1991)
1.2 Administrative competencies
The Ministry of Public Works and Territorial Management is the highest organ at the national level. [29]
1.3 Coastal Policy
No information received.
2. Environment
2.1 Legislation and Regulations
- The Environmental Protection Law, (no. 137/1995).
- The Water Law, (no. 8/1974).
- Law no. 17/1990; the Law contains the juridical organisation of Romania inner waters, territorial waters and the contiguous zone.
- Government Decision no. 1001/1990; establishes a unitary payment system for water management products and services regarding the quantitative protection of waters.
- Government Decision no. 196/1991, aiming at implementing the national strategy in the field of water management. [30]
2.2 Administrative Competencies
The ministry of Waters, Forests, and Environmental
Protection represents the Central Environmental Authority
(CEA), a central specialised body of the administrative
power. The ministry has specific competencies regarding the
improvement of environmental factors, water management and
nuclear activity monitoring.
The Ministry of Waters, Forests and Environmental Protection
has in its subordination territorial Environment Protection
Agencies and four Advisory committees.
[31]
2.3 Environmental Policy
- Preparation of a new standard related to: pollution control, quality of coastal waters, quality of fresh water, including sources of potable water and littoral lakes.
3. Nature
Conservation
3.1 Legislation and Regulations
- Law for the Protection of Natural Monuments, (no. 213/1930).
- Governmental Decree no. 237/1950 regarding the protection of natural monuments of the Romanian Popular Republic.
- Environmental Protection Law, (no. 137/1995).
- Law no. 17/1990; contains regulations special provisions concerning the prevention, reducing and keeping under control the marine environment pollution. [32]
- Law no. 2/1987; concerning maintenance, protection and development of forests.
- Law no. 81/1993; stipulates compensation fixing for damages brought of forestry fund, forestry vegetation on the private or public estate and hunting economy.
- Law no. 8/1991; ratification of the Convention on long distance transboundary air pollution. [33]
Policies:
- Policy: Establishing a regional co-ordinating body related to protected areas, valuable habitats and historical and geological sites.
3.2 Administrative Competencies
- Central authority: The Ministry of Waters, Forests, and Environmental Protection (MWFEP) represents the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), a central specialised body of the administrative power. The ministry has specific competencies regarding to promoting and developing measures aiming at the protection and conservation of natural resources and at their rational management according to the requirements of improving environmental quality, of maintaining the biological diversity and ecological equilibrium.
- Local authority: The Environmental Protection Agencies, which are directly subordinated to the ministry (MWFEP). [34]
3.3 System of Protected Areas
The need of protection in some specific areas of the
Dobrogea region has been imposed since 1939, when a natural
reserve was established in the Agigea locality. Later the
problems of protecting nature were extended and diversified
within four specific categories: florist, faunistic,
geologic and complex reserves. The protected areas in
Dobrogea are categorised as 19 scientific reserves, 7
natural monuments, 11 natural reserves, 1 landscape reserve
and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. On the whole the
surface of the natural areas which are protected cover 48%
of Dobrogea. More than 60 % of the total protected areas in
the coastal zone of Romania is situated in Tulcea county.
[35]
4. Sectoral
Development
4.1 Coastal Defence
Over 70 % of the littoral length are affected by erosion. In the last 30 years the shoreline belonging to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve took back with 300 meters and the beaches lost 80 ha/year. Another negative aspect for this sector is referring to the constructions build near the shoreline or even on the beach. It is obvious that there is a need for some regulations in this field.
4.2 Recreation and Tourism
In the tourist industry, which might be a very profitable field both for the country economy as for the local population, a decrease in number of Romanian and especially foreign tourists has been registered. Statistics show us that in 1992 there were 106.600 foreign tourists and in 1995 there were only 68.400 foreign tourists. The use of accommodation capacity is also at a very low level, in Constanta county 54 % is used and in Tulcea county only 23 % is used. There are also negative aspects in insufficient capitalisation and effectiveness of the potential tourist value. Also a lack of good transport to the coast and the Danube-Delta.
4.3 Fisheries and Aquaculture
There are significant negative aspects in marine biodiversity, such as a drastic decrease of several marine organisms, partly due to the appearance of new opportunistic species in the Black Sea. Ecological changes were reflected in the commercial catches. In the 1960 s, 26 commercial fish species were caught and nowadays this number has declined to 5 species. [36]
4.4 Transport
Transport in Dobrogea is represented by maritime, river,
car, railway and air transport. The initial connections for
foreign trade is still by maritime transport. River
transport is mainly progressing on the Danube between
localities such as Ostrov, Macin, Isaccea and Sulina. The
section between Tulcea and Sulina is part of the
international river transport system. Ships sail only during
daytime and ores, oil and timber are usually being
transported. And of course there is the 65 km long Danube -
Black Sea Channel. The use of the canal shortens the sailing
in the Danube with at least 300 km.
Dobrogea is has more than 3500 km of roads, of which 2000 km
has been modernised. Constanta is first with the
modernisation of its roads.
Railway transport is first represented by the Constanta -
Cernavoda thoroughfare rail network. This a connection with
the central part of the country and allows transport of 65
goods trains about 20 travellers trains. The second rail
network connects Tulcea county with the rest of the country.
A third network locally connects the region. The total
railroad length is 68 km in Tulcea county and 392 km in
Constanta county (1994).
Two airports exist in the region, in Tulcea and in
Constanta, the latter being an international airport.
Generally, in winter, the flights are only to Bucharest and
in the summer there are more internal flights and also
external flights.
4.5 Harbours and Shipping
An important part of the Romanian trade takes place by marine transport. In the area there are four main harbours: Constanta, Mangalia, Midia and Sulina. The traffic in Constanta harbour increased rapidly the last decades from 14.5 million tons in 1970 to 45 million tons in 1980. Simultaneously, the traffic structure changed, reaching a growth of imports of up to 65% and a structure diversification. The export is about 35% of the total harbour traffic and 60 % of the countryís export are carried out through this port. The port is increasingly used by other countries, many cargo agencies running their business in the port. Midia harbour is used for oil traffic and Mangalia harbour for different goods and ore traffic. Sulina harbour has the statute of a free port, specialised in heavy goods traffic. [37]
4.6 Industry
In industry the decrease of total industrial production as well as the increase of unemployment are evident. For instance the total industrial production in 1995 was only 60 % from the production of 1989. These are figures for the Constanta county, which is the best industrialised of the two coastal zone counties.
4.7 Agriculture
In the agricultural sector a decrease has been registered
in the total agricultural production, although in this field
there is the best and most extended irrigation system. In
1994 the total agricultural represented 56.3% from the value
of the 1990 production. Another problem persisting in
agriculture is the uncontrolled irrigation leading to an
increase of humidity in some soils and subsequently, to an
increase of salt in them.
5. Framework for Development of ICZM
A number of documents that relate to the implementation
of ICZM, have been signed by Romania and were adopted at
international and regional level. The main ones are the Rio
de Janeiro Declaration on Environment and Development with
its ëAgenda 21í(1992), The Bucharest Convention
(1992), The Odessa Ministerial Declaration (1993) and the
Black Sea Strategic Action Plan (BS SAP) (1996). The United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, MARPOL, the ECE
Convention, the Danube Convention and the Ramsar Convention
have been signed and ratified as well. The basic decision to
introduce the ICZM process in the Black Sea coastal zones
has been adopted by the Odessa Declaration. This decision
has been further elaborated in the BS SAP. The National ICZM
Report and the National ICZM Policies and Strategies Report
have both been written as well.
6. National Achievements in the Field of ICZM
- The concept, methodology, tools and techniques of ICZM, as well as potential benefits of its implementation were presented, disseminated at governmental and some local levels. Some initial activities implemented successfully, a number of experts and institutions being involved. Thus more meetings were organised to discuss specific ICZM aspects. Furthermore, a technical seminar was organised to train the selected consultants related to ICZM pilot projects and their implementation.
- A National ICZM Network, as the major tool for achieving co-ordination and integration of the coastal zone related decision making process, was established and its tasks and activities defined; the preparation and implementation of National ICZM Pilot Projects and the definition of the National ICZM Strategies and Policies.
- The national coastal zone boundaries were defined on the base of a multisectoral analysis.
- A National Report was prepared, presenting the actual situation, problems and causes as well as prioritising the critical issues and presenting lists of priority actions and investments. The World Bank (WB) revised all of this.
- An ICZM Pilot Project entitled ëICZM and Investment Plan for Constanta Countyí was prepared, approved by the Romania Government and the World Bank. The Project is not implemented yet and is waiting for further development of the BSEP or other opportunities. [38]
- Law related to land use has been created and approved. This law created a new legal framework to apply the land use planning system.
- Special methodologies (approved) by which the impact of socio-economic activities is assessed, have been created.
- Creation of new pollution (wastewater) and quality and quantity (coastal water) indicators.
- An inter-ministerial commission named ëLÏTORALí was established by governmental decision, having the role of the ICZM network.
- A National Contingency Plan was established and improved. In short time the government will approve it. [39]
7. Problems and Constraints for the
Development of ICZM
- Existing national legislation is incomplete related to sustainable development. There is an absence of ICZM Law or an appropriate act.
- National legislation and development policies still donít give a certain priority to the coastal zone.
- Absence of adequate institutional arrangements for the coastal protection against erosion, for protection of special areas, except for the Danube Delta.
- Insufficient institutional and human capacities to introduce and implement the ICZM process, including the lack of experience in practical ICZM projects. Also insufficient participation of the public, NGOís and the scientific community to improve the environment.
- Lack of funds for: efficient pollution monitoring and control; establishing of needed institutional ICZM related arrangements; implementation of pilot projects, training and capacity building programmes; protection against erosion and ICZM related research.
- Insufficient international financial and technical assistance. [40]