Marine Aquaculture in the Black Sea Region

A combination of factors, including the environmental degradation of the Black Sea, a period of overfishing, and the presence of opportunistic invader species, have led to a rapid decline in the Black Sea fisheries. Fish catches have fallen dramatically, large numbers of fishermen have been rendered jobless and the coastal economy has slumped. As a result, coastal countries are seeking alternative ways of generating income while continuing to take advantage of the ecological services which the Black Sea offers. One possible direction is through the development of economically feasible ventures in the field of marine aquaculture industry. This book argues that an environmentally sustainable marine aquaculture industry would be of considerable benefit to the economies of the coastal countries in the region.