Alternative tourism near Fishery area Shabla-Kavarna-Balchik 

Bulgaria is a country favored by its geographical location, with a significant Black Sea coastline which is long 378 km. It should be specified that the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast is not an independent natural geographical area and covers the eastern part of the Danube Plain, the Balkan and the Thracian and Strandzha areas. Therefore, the impact of the Black Sea on climate in the corresponding area is defined as a leading factor for the formation of the Black Sea Coast as a separate area.

At the same time, the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast has a number of specific features, which give a reason to consider it a separate area. It starts from Sivriburun Cape at the state border with Romania and ends at the mouth of Rezovo River near the border with Turkey. The length of the coastline is 354 km (200.167 km along the arc of the earth spheroid), of which 200 km (120 miles) are sandy beaches.

In physico-geogrpahical terms the zone comprises the following areas[1]: Dobrudzha and Franga Plateau, Lower Kamchia, Balkan Mountains, Burgas, Medni Rid and Strandzha. The northern coast is the end of Dobrudzha Plateau at the borders of the country with Romania. It is characterized by low, slightly indented coast, built of loess cliffs submerging in the sea waters in the east[2]. The terrain of the coast around Albena and Golden Sands Resorts is hilly and of clearly expressed landslide and tiered nature. The dense forests at the mouth of Batova River mark the beginning of Franga Plateau. South of Varna there are typical northern dense forests, which are particularly dense near the mouth of Kamchia River. The Balkan Mountains submerges into the Black Sea near Emine Cape, conditionally dividing the coastline into southern and northern. In the south the coastline contrasts with the rocky northern view of wide and long beaches.

In the northern part of the Black Sea Coast the Fishery area Shabla-Kavarna-Balchik is located. It includes three municipalities - Shabla, Kavarna and Balchik, with a total area of about 1335 square kilometers. Being part of seaside Dobrudzha, the terrain of the fishing area is typical and diversified by its inherent natural and cultural resources. The uniformity of the coastline is broken by the Shabla Lake Liman, whose contours follow those of the former valley. Fed by water of underground karst springs, the lake impresses with its beautiful banks overgrown with reed. Not far from it is located Shablenska Tuzla, which is full of dark-brown oily mud. In the area the easternmost point of Bulgaria –Shabla Cape, Taukliman landslide, cavities and rock arcs near the villages of Nanevo and Tyulenovo, Kaliakra Cape and artificial cave halls harboring prehistoric man, as well as the powerful landslides between Kavarna and Batova River, Balchishka Tuzla mud-cure lake located each of Balchik, the Palace of the Queen Maria of Romania with its rich Botanical Garden, Batova dense forest, Rusalka and Albena Resorts, are located.

ViaPontica passed over the area – the second largest migratory path of birds that nest in Northeastern Europe and fly south from and to Africa. Seventy-eight percent of all white storks nesting in Europe, the entire European population of Great White Pelican, raptors, waterfowls and songbirds fly over the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast[3].

But in order that these resources are able to contribute to the sustainable development of the area it is important that the area has a sufficient degree of coherence in geographical, economic and social terms. Certainly, it is imperative to avoid large disproportions, as they might hamper the identification of common priorities for the area and the achievement of agreement on the general direction of development. The specified conditions are set in the strategic documents already developed, according to which the different parts of the area (i.e. different villages or municipalities of which the area is formed) should have some common characteristics to connect them, i.e. to be able to share certain resources, face common challenges or share common needs and opportunities[4]. However, the sense of local identity and bottom-up territorial approach are leading.

Contemplated so, the general direction of development should be linked to sustainability. As a result, mutual trust between local partners will inevitably be improved and enhanced and cooperation within the entire community will be facilitated. At the same time, this will strengthen the feeling that despite problems and difficulties the desired overall objective will be achieved, thereby improving the chance of success of the actions initiated. Last but not least, the local community will be motivated to voluntarily take part in the planned initiatives in convincing way and with joint efforts.

Resource potential for alternative tourism in Shabla, Kavarna, Balchik Fishing Area

[1]Dinev, L., К. Mishev, 180, Brief Geography of Bulgaria, Nauka r izkustvo State Publishing House, Sofia, p. 135

[2]Quoted source.

[3]In the area of Balchik and Kavarna 136 bird species are established, of which 42 are listed in the Red Book of Bulgaria (1985). Of the occurring species, 65 are of European conservation importance (SPEC) (BirdLife International, 2004). 23 % of the birds fly at a height of 150 m and 39 % - at a height between 160 and 500 m, which largely depends on weather conditions. This provides good visibility for ornithologists and amateurs looking for bird species and for ordinary tourist – an unforgettable memory of a close encounter with the winged creatures.

[4]Fisheries Local Action Group Shabla – Kavarna – Balchik, Local Development Strategy 2011 – 2013 November, 2010.