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The Black Sea Protection Convention Authority carried out inspections of 219 vessels in 2026
October 31 marks International Black Sea Day. Preventing, suppressing, and detecting water pollution and the illegal exploitation of natural resources are among the key priorities of the Department of Environmental Supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
The Department’s Black Sea Protection Convention Unit is responsible for exercising state environmental control in the Black Sea waters. The Unit monitors vessels entering Georgia’s territorial waters and ports.
From January to October 2026, officers of the Black Sea Protection Convention Unit inspected 219 vessels and identified 40 cases of administrative violations.
Of the identified violations, 13 involved cases of marine pollution caused by vessels, each carrying a fine of GEL 100,000, in addition to compensation for the environmental damage caused. One case involved marine pollution resulting from the discharge of domestic solid waste from a vessel; six cases concerned violations of fishing regulations; one involved violations of both fishing regulations and licensing conditions; and 19 involved incorrect entries in vessel documentation.
Throughout the year, 40 illegally deployed set nets were retrieved from the sea.
The environmental damage resulting from these violations exceeds GEL 35,000, while the total fines imposed on offenders amount to more than GEL 1 million.
It is noteworthy that, in recent years, incidents of marine pollution caused by vessels discharging oily wastewater have decreased significantly. This can be attributed, on the one hand, to the effective work of the Black Sea Protection Convention Unit and, on the other, to increased financial penalties, which have a deterrent effect.
