The security risks in the Black Sea have hit the Bulgarian fishing industry. “Due to the escalation of tensions in the Black Sea, the fishing sector is facing force majeure circumstances and we will seek state aid under the de minimis scheme,” Yordan Gospodinov, Executive Director of the BG Fish Association, told the media in Varna. He is also Chair of the Black Sea Advisory Council, which met on Thursday in the coastal city. The organization has 15 Bulgarian and foreign associations as members.
Many of the large fishing vessels are currently reluctant to go out to sea, Gospodinov said. According to him, some crews are unwilling to sail at all, while others are simply limiting themselves to coastal fishing. Gospodinov stressed that fish had also disappeared from the sea. He clarified that he was not a scientist and could not say what was causing this, but the most likely explanation was related to explosions and sinking ships.
Bulgaria’s fishing fleet consists of 1,740 vessels, of which 100 are large ships operating beyond the 12-nautical-mile zone, the expert also said. He explained that they fish in the exclusive economic zone, which has now become too risky. The concern is not so much that someone will deliberately fire at them, but rather that they could encounter mines or explosive-laden drones that have fallen into the sea, Gospodinov explained. He said that there had been no incidents involving Bulgarian fishing vessels so far, but crews had reported suspicious objects found in the water to the competent authorities.
Gospodinov also stressed that the problems facing fish-processing companies should not be underestimated. According to him, as of Wednesday, the largest fishing companies that operate processing plants reported catches at 50% of last year’s levels. Gospodinov pointed out that these reduced quantities would also lead to higher fish prices on the market. Bulgarians should be aware that Black Sea fish will become increasingly scarce and more expensive, the expert said.
The situation in Romania is the same, with fishermen preferring not to go out to sea and vessels remaining moored in ports, Gospodinov added. According to him, the situation is causing concern in both countries, even for smaller boats, although they fish relatively close to shore.
The Bulgarian State should protect the sector, Gospodinov insisted. He explained that the issue had also been discussed at the Black Sea Advisory Council and that an appeal to the authorities in Bulgaria and Romania was being prepared, calling for support for the industry. The de minimis scheme provides state aid in cases of force majeure, and the circumstances facing the fishing industry clearly qualify as such, Gospodinov stressed.
Half of Fishing Takes Place in Grey Economy
Gospodinov also raised the issue of the large share of the grey economy in fishing, which accounts for around half of all fishing in the Black Sea. “There are clear rules in Europe and we must comply with them, particularly given that the fish caught by Bulgarian fishermen often ends up on the European or global market,” the expert added. According to him, the most severe penalties from now on will target undeclared and unregulated fishing.
“Fish taken from the sea and landed without documentation ends up in our shops, as it cannot be exported,” Gospodinov pointed out. He stressed that those who break the rules usually operate smaller fishing vessels. In addition, no taxes are paid in these cases, resulting in financial losses for the state, the expert added.
According to him, the main problem is that Bulgaria has no fish-landing ports equipped with facilities for first sales, fish markets and wholesale markets, including labelling, packaging, grading and veterinary control. Ports meeting European and international requirements should have been established in Sozopol, Nessebar, Varna and Balchik years ago, Gospodinov said. He stressed that a fishing port does not simply mean a concrete platform and a vessel moored alongside a quay wall – it must meet certain standards, including an entrance, an exit, ventilation systems, facilities for disinfecting crates, ice production rooms and a designated trading area. According to him, the practice in Bulgaria is still for fish to be transported away from the shore in pick-up trucks and lorries when vessels arrive, some refrigerated and others not. All this puts pressure on compliant fishermen, as the grey economy sells fish at prices 10-20% lower, Gospodinov added. He stressed that it was impossible to build a sustainable sector that generates added value and retains skilled workers under such conditions.
Security Risks in Black Sea Hit Bulgarian Fishing Sector THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-15 17:05:00
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