ROMANIAN INVOLVEMENT IN THE BLACK SEA MANAGEMENT - SCIENTIFIC AND POLITICAL TOOLS (1990-2005): THE CASE STUDY OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MARINE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT “GRIGORE ANTIPA”

Abstract. The Romanian involvement in Black Sea research, monitoring and co-operation activities is reviewed. Literature selection mainly included references of local / national and regional relevance, possibly those less widely acknowledged internationally. The article provides an examination of the following main concerns and achievements of the National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” Constanta: recent ecosystem changes and trends in transitional and coastal waters; integrated coastal zone management approaches; integrated monitoring of the marine and coastal environment; implications of and contributions to most Black Sea-related conventions, declarations, and agreements; co-operation with relevant international and Black Sea-related organisations; successful participation in joint programmes / projects and commitments to various major environmental issues (e.g., reports, management plans, National Action Plans, technical / juridical documents, implementation of EU directives). A slight but continuous improvement in the state of the marine environment in the Romanian sector has been observed since the 1990s compared to its previous status. Further cooperation is obviously necessary in all the afore-mentioned areas with the Danube countries and with the Black Sea coastal states; international expertise is strongly needed and recommended