Findings on the update to Ukraine’s Marine Conservation Strategy and the marine water monitoring program presented in Odesa

The development of state-level marine water monitoring and the update to Ukraine’s Marine Conservation Strategy were the key topics of a workshop held on July 23 in Odesa. The event was organized by the “Blueing the Black Sea” project.

russia’s war against Ukraine has turned the Black Sea into yet another front in an environmental catastrophe. Its consequences extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders, threatening the marine ecosystems and coastlines of all Black Sea states. Pollution from petroleum products, toxic metals, and hazardous chemicals; debris from military operations littering the waters; and the inability to conduct comprehensive monitoring of marine waters pose long-term risks to the environment, the economy, and the health of millions of people.

During the workshop, participants reviewed in detail the project experts’ findings regarding the update of Ukraine’s Marine Environmental Protection Strategy in accordance with the requirements of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and discussed the development of the State Program for Monitoring Coastal and Marine Waters for 2027–2032.

In her opening remarks, Iryna Ovcharenko, Deputy Minister of Economy and Environment of Ukraine, emphasized that high-quality monitoring is a key prerequisite for making effective management decisions and achieving good environmental status of marine waters.

“Without a modern monitoring system, it is impossible to fully assess the impact of the war on the marine environment, determine the extent of pollution, and develop effective measures to restore marine ecosystems. For Ukraine, this is not only a matter of complying with European requirements but also of creating a solid foundation for the restoration of the Black Sea,” noted Iryna Ovcharenko.

Participants also discussed the need to strengthen the technical capacity of water monitoring laboratories, apply modern methods for assessing the ecological status of the marine environment, study the impact of military operations on marine ecosystems, and expand cooperation with international partners.

Meanwhile, workshop participants were informed that by the end of this year, the Ministry of Economy and Environment plans to approve a comprehensive water monitoring program, which will make it possible to significantly increase the scope of research coverage.

Background

The Black Sea Ecosystem Recovery project is being implemented from 2025 to 2028 with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). For Ukraine, the project involves updating the Marine Conservation Strategy, preparing a national marine water monitoring program, developing investment projects to reduce pollution, and harmonizing national policy with the requirements of European Union legislation.