On 14 May 2026, the Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of the Sea (UkrSCES) successfully held an online stakeholder meeting under the international project ANEMONE PLUS BSB00949 (“Assessment of the vulnerability of the Black Sea marine ecosystem to anthropogenic impacts – promoting cooperation with business, authorities and citizens for a sustainable ‘blue’ region”). The project is implemented with the support of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme.
The event brought together a wide range of participants: scientists, civil society representatives, government officials, specialists from Basin Water Resources Management authorities, and other relevant institutions. This diversity made it possible to look at the challenges facing the Black Sea comprehensively and from different perspectives.
Key Topics and Outcomes of the Meeting
The ANEMONE PLUS project – the project was presented, along with key information about the partners, the area of implementation, and its goals and objectives.
Science for non-specialists – one of the main objectives of the meeting was to make complex scientific data accessible to a wide range of users. UkrSCES specialists explained, in plain language, the meaning of key environmental indices (BEAST, TRIX, CHASE, Kz) used to assess water quality and the ecological status of the Black Sea.
Presentation of the “Strategic Toolbox” – participants were shown part of the planned “Strategic Toolbox” tools. This is a modern digital platform that makes it possible to assess environmental challenges related to biodiversity, pollution monitoring, eutrophication assessment, pollution assessment, “Blue Carbon” analysis, and the assessment of the cumulative impacts of the war.
Feedback and improvement – an important part of the event was the presentation of a “Proposal Form.” Participants will be sent a form to share their ideas on improving the interface and expanding the functionality of the presented tools, in order to make them as user-friendly as possible for non-specialists.
Synergy of international projects – a separate segment was devoted to joining efforts. Brief presentations were given on related projects, such as ALGAWA, SAFE-BS2BKS, EFFECTIVE, and Black Sea SIERRA. Participants discussed opportunities for the practical use of shared results to reduce pollution, strengthen environmental security, and restore the ecosystems of the Black Sea region.
UkrSCES sincerely thanks all participants for the active discussion, expert advice, and willingness to cooperate. Only by joining the efforts of science, government, and society can we ensure the sustainable development and protection of our sea.
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ANEMONE PLUS (BSB00949) is a project of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, bringing together six partner institutions from Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkey, and Georgia to create a shared WebGIS platform for Black Sea environmental data.