Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The launch of the comprehensive "Living Black Sea" project was announced at the 5th Congress of Young Scientists held in Sochi. The three-year project to preserve the Black Sea ecosystems will be implemented by the Zapovednoye Posledstvo (Conservation Embassy) charitable educational foundation with the support of JTI Russia.
The large-scale "Living Black Sea" project will be launched in late November 2025 and will run until the end of 2027. The project's partners include the Utrish Nature Reserve, the Delfa Scientific and Ecological Dolphin Rescue Center, and the Krasnodar Krai Nature Park Directorate (Anapa Peresyp Nature Park).
The "Living Black Sea" project includes support for scientific research, monitoring of natural systems and wildlife, and the procurement of specialized equipment, a vessel, and a vehicle for research and the rescue of marine mammals. Furthermore, plans include the creation of dolphin rehabilitation center infrastructure, the development of educational programs and workshops aimed at developing human resources in marine and coastal protected areas, the recruitment and training of volunteers for emergency response, environmental education projects, and infrastructure solutions for sustainable tourism and the conservation of rare species along the Black Sea coast.
"Our project isn't a one-time initiative; it's about studying and creating a comprehensive system for protecting the fragile world of the Black Sea. We combine cutting-edge science, animal rescue practices, and large-scale education to give the ecosystem not just a chance to recover from a catastrophe, but the tools for a sustainable future. Instead of isolated efforts, we're creating a comprehensive project—from ecosystem monitoring and providing the necessary equipment to protected areas and the Delfa Center to training specialists and volunteers—that will work to preserve the sea for years to come," notes Polina Grigorieva, an expert at the Zapovednoye Posledstvo Foundation and the head of the Living Black Sea project.
The project includes the following areas:
Dolphin Rescue
In partnership with the Delfa Scientific and Ecological Dolphin Rescue Center, a comprehensive marine mammal protection program will be implemented as part of the Living Black Sea project.
Specifically, regular monitoring of the dolphin population off the coast of Anapa will be established to assess their condition and recovery dynamics following the oil spill. Modern equipment will be purchased for the Delfa Center, including a mobile van, an ultrasound machine, and a PCR amplification system, which will enable prompt and accurate assistance to injured animals. The Living Black Sea project will also support the creation of dolphin rehabilitation infrastructure at the port of Imeretinsky (Sirius federal territory), laying the foundation for a permanent rescue service in the region.
A separate track: organizing a series of educational seminars and training sessions for rescue volunteers and veterinary volunteers, which will be held in key coastal cities: FT Sirius, Anapa, Gelendzhik, and Novorossiysk. The first such event, timed to coincide with Volunteer Day, will take place in Sochi on December 5.
In addition, the creation of educational materials and a traveling exhibition about Black Sea dolphins and conservation efforts is planned. This is expected to help increase public support and attract new volunteers.
Support for the Utrish Nature Reserve
The "Living Black Sea" project includes monitoring aimed at assessing the impact of the oil spill on marine ecosystems in the waters of the Utrish Nature Reserve and along the coast of Anapa. This is the first study of its kind to examine the impact on the entire ecosystem, not just its individual components. Previously, monitoring was limited to monitoring maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs), which did not provide a complete picture of the environmental damage.
The research includes regular monitoring and expeditionary research in the waters of the Utrish Nature Reserve and along the Anapa coast, as well as analysis of the state and dynamics of key marine environmental parameters to assess the impact of the emergency and future changes. Based on the data, scientifically sound recommendations will be developed for optimizing economic activity in the coastal zone to minimize anthropogenic impact.
A special marine vessel will be purchased for the research, significantly increasing the scientists' mobility and efficiency. The research will be conducted jointly with the P. P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, guaranteeing the highest scientific standards.
In addition, an environmental education trail, "Savina Shchel. Nikolsky's Tortoise Trail," will be established within the reserve. This will draw attention to the critical population decline of this rare species, whose main threats are habitat destruction and illegal capture for sale and pet ownership. The environmental education trail will help raise awareness of the problem and explain how such human behavior is detrimental to the tortoise.
To share experience and improve skills, training seminars and internships are planned for young scientists, staff from other marine protected areas, and volunteers. The first such seminar is scheduled for December 8-11 and will focus on oil spill monitoring and response.
Support for the Anapa Peresyp Nature Park
The Living Black Sea project will support the restoration of the Anapa Peresyp Nature Park, an area that was subject to intense anthropogenic impact during the oil spill cleanup, including heavy machinery and the removal of contaminated sand from the coastline, leading to the transformation of natural ecosystems.
"JTI Russia's social investments focus on addressing the most pressing environmental issues. In partnership with the Zapovednoye Polostvo Foundation and leading environmental organizations, we were among the first to develop a long-term, large-scale program to restore the Black Sea. Our "Living Black Sea" project aims not only to address the consequences of the incident but also to create an effective ecosystem of cooperation," said Ekaterina Levshina, Head of Social Investment Programs at JTI Russia.
"We are confident that collaboration between socially and environmentally responsible businesses and experienced non-profit environmental education organizations yields maximum results. The project's uniqueness lies in its integrated approach, which enables us to achieve long-term change and sustainable results. This is the principle of our collaboration with JTI Russia. We are currently completing a systemic joint project with JTI Russia, unprecedented in scale and strategic approach, aimed at developing the Smolenskoye Poozerie National Park, and are beginning work to support the Black Sea ecosystems, encompassing two protected areas. We hope that the practices and experience gained by scientists and environmental educators during this project can be applied to other marine and coastal protected areas," emphasized Natalia Danilina, President of the Zapovednoye Polostvo Foundation.
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