Multi-Actor Lab Romania – Danube’s Mouths - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Multi-Actor Lab Romania – Danube’s MouthsCase coordinatorsLuminita Lazar - National Institute for Marine Research and Development, Grigore Antipa, Constanta (COASTAL)Steliana Rodino, Ruxandra Pop - Research Institute for Agriculture Economy and Rural Development, Bucharest (RURAL)

2. METHODOLOGY

3. Common drivers – Water, Lifestyle, Administration, Climate change, Demography, Environment, Infrastructure, Industry and Bussiness Development – extremely broad topics opening endless discussions and making difficult the focus afterwards.Broad type of stakeholders which resulted in “conflicts” and, accordingly, need of expertise.The results were achieved independently of next requirements – e.g. we didn’t consider the model’s data needs.From discussions to results – the MAL5 perspective

4. 4. Many results were never used but “helped” us to “understand” and “explain” the need of the organized system thinking.From discussions to results – the MAL5 perspective

5. Land-sea interactions 5. From the model structure to the operational model – keeping in mind the scope of the model, it was developed so that different scenarios reflecting policies could be applied.Model’s scope - To explore alternative scenarios to improve the quality of life and sustainability within Danube Delta Biosphere reserve and its marine waters (Black Sea) as one of the most impacted area along the Romanian littoral.From discussions to results – the MAL5 perspective

6. The model’s structureAn approach to the structuring of problem situations in which uncertainty is high, and where decisions can or must be staged sequentially.https://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/dstools/robustness-analysis/#:~:text=Robustness%20analysis%20provides%20an%20approach,be%20exploited%20to%20maintain%20flexibility.

7. Fish Farming modelAccording to the national reports and confirmed by research projects and COASTAL stakeholder meetings and experts’ judgement, the main causes of potential production were: the fishing facilities in the public and private domain of the state and managed by NAFA were not fully granted, and those in the perimeter of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve were exploited only 57%.reduced productivity per hectare, obtained in aquaculture farms, very close to the level of fish productivity of the natural environment. lack of production in marine aquaculture.poor performance of economic operators, who have insufficient and outdated boats and equipment.economically unattractive species for fishermen.illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing – estimated as 80%.Mapping target policies which can benefit from projects results

8. Fish Farming modelMinistry of Agriculture and Rural Development – NAFA – POPAM 2021-2027Sustainable aquaculture - investments in new/modernization of the farms, training and research – local people, FLAG & other organizationsProcessing - investments in new facilities, from farm to fork supply chain – local people, FLAG & other organizationsOther legislationGreen Deal - Promotion of the sustainable aquaculture - food security in the EU.WFD, MSFD - Increased aquaculture production maintaining the sustainability regarding the environment.CoastalMapping target policies which can benefit from projects resultsAquaculture environmental performanceUse of feed, feed supplements from sustainable sources.Supporting the use of renewable energy sources.Supporting the use of the principles of the circular economy through multitrophic aquaculture, the use of filtering species or those that use lower trophic niches.Promoting and supporting aquaculture that produces environmental services for society, that sequester carbon and that reduce nutrients from aquatic ecosystems.Defining and determining the supporting capacity of the aquaculture ecosystem.Establishment of reference methods for determining the carbon footprint for each aquaculture farm.Setting the objective of obtaining aquaculture areas and balanced production capacities in terms of nutrients.

9. Eco-Farming modelRural

10. Eco-Farming modelPolicy recommendationsWho is in charge? Relevance for EU policy implementatiomPromoting young farmers' access to land to allow improving availability of quality workforce and income flows for the local populationAuthorities, policy makers: MARD, Ministry of economy, Local administration etc. Beneficiaries: Farmers professional associations Economic agents: participants on the agri-food chain for ecological productsDifferent facilitators, in research and innovation or in market researchPopulation, farmersGreen DealCAP

11. Tourism modelRuralHow far can tourism be developed without affecting the biodiversity of the area? How influence the marketing budget the tourism pressure on the one hand, and the tourism revenues on the other?

12. Tourism modelPolicy recommendationsWho is in charge? Relevance for EU policy implementatiomSupporting the diversification of agricultural activities (for example increase in livestock farming) and non-agricultural activities (tourism activities related to the specific of the area: fishery, cultural heritage, eco-tourism) to create jobs, encouraging the active involvement of local communitiesAuthorities, policy makers: National administrations, Ministry of tourism, Ministry of development, Ministry of Culture Beneficiaries: tourism agents, rural tourism representatives Economic agents: guesthouses, small hotels or other specific forms of accomodation Different facilitators, in research and innovation or in market research, marketing agents Inhabitants, local population, touristsGreen DealEU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism

13. COASTAL modelling activity as well as recommended policies support the following EU policies: EU policy frameworkCOASTAL CONTRIBUTIONFarm to fork strategy- Contribute to a agriculture with a neutral or positive environmental impact abd help to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts- reverse the loss of biodiversityensure food security, nutrition and public health, making sure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, nutritious, sustainable food- preserve affordability of food while generating fairer economic returns, fostering competitiveness of the EU supply sector and promoting fair tradeGreen Deal- Assess the impact of using environmentally friendly practices on conservation of biodiversity and improvement of water quality; - Increase awareness on the importance of activating education and training for a successful ecological transition to efficient use of natural resources and zero waste and pollution. CAPsupport farmers and improve agricultural productivity, help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resourcekeep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.obtain a more effective cost, a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner for farmers, and maintain our soils and biodiversity.

14. COASTAL modelling activity as well as recommended policies support the following EU policies: EU policy frameworkCOASTAL CONTRIBUTIONEU Strategy for Sustainable TourismOffers solutions for a more sustainable tourism, such as environmentally friendly tourism including cycling routes, sports and wellbeing tourism, nature tourism, and cultural routes;Others: Preserving natural and cultural resources;Limiting negative impacts at tourist destinations, including the use of natural resources and waste production;Promoting the wellbeing of the local community;Improving the quality of tourism jobs.The modelling for the Romanian MAL focused on three stock-flow models: one model for transition to ecological agriculture, the second for intensifying aquaculture and a third one for practicing slow tourism in the Danube Delta. Whilst the three models differ in problem scope, they are linked to the project’s main objective by the impact of developing each activity on the water quality and were designed as strategic policy tools with a long-time horizon of decades to address the sustainable development of the Danube Delta which is a dual challenge - to protect its unique natural and cultural assets and meeting the aspirations of the inhabitants to improve their living conditions and seek better economic opportunities.

15. Overall, the model may tackle issues on how to use the key points of growth within rural areas (agriculture, tourism and fish farming) to improve the socio- economic state of the area, while conserving the environmental assets. Therefore, the following problems might be addressed upon the stakeholders’ requirements. - How can eco-farming transition contribute to improved management of natural resources (water and soil)?- How climate-change is affecting the human economic activity in the rural coastal area? - How will the development of services to individuals and of the residential economy affect the freshwater quality? - How can investment in capacity building (education) bring added value to environmental quality? - How far can tourism be developed without affecting the biodiversity of the area? - What effect will the proper management of clogged channels have on economic activities of the area? https://www.getyourguide.com/frankfurt-l21/frankfurt-flight-simulator-t44572/The thinking simulatorThe model can help with the following actions of the Green Deal: Assess the impact of using environmentally friendly practices and improvement of water quality; Increase awareness on the importance of activating education and training for a successful ecological transition to efficient use of natural resources and zero waste and pollution.

16. ScenariosSCENARIO 1: SSP1 Sustainability – Taking the Green Road (Low challenges to mitigation and adaptation) + RCP 1.5 - the development respects perceived environmental boundaries SCENARIO 2: SSP2 Middle of the Road (Medium challenges to mitigation and adaptation) + RCP 1.5SCENARIO 3: SSP4 Inequality – A Road Divided (Low challenges to mitigation, high challenges to adaptation) + RCP 1.5SCENARIO 4: SSP5 Fossil-fueled Development – Taking the Highway (High challenges to mitigation, low challenges to adaptation) + RCP1.5Representative Concentration Pathway, RCP 1.5 – Danube River:Lazar, L.; Rodino, S.; Pop, R.; Tiller, R.; D’Haese, N.; Viaene, P.; De Kok, J.-L. Sustainable Development Scenarios in the Danube Delta—A Pilot Methodology for Decision Makers. Water 2022, 14, 3484. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213484

17. MAL5 (Danube’s Mouths – Black Sea) variables changes under different scenarios and key performance indicatorsLazar, L.; Rodino, S.; Pop, R.; Tiller, R.; D’Haese, N.; Viaene, P.; De Kok, J.-L. Sustainable Development Scenarios in the Danube Delta—A Pilot Methodology for Decision Makers. Water 2022, 14, 3484. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213484

18. Lazar, L.; Rodino, S.; Pop, R.; Tiller, R.; D’Haese, N.; Viaene, P.; De Kok, J.-L. Sustainable Development Scenarios in the Danube Delta—A Pilot Methodology for Decision Makers. Water 2022, 14, 3484. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213484

19. Lazar, L.; Rodino, S.; Pop, R.; Tiller, R.; D’Haese, N.; Viaene, P.; De Kok, J.-L. Sustainable Development Scenarios in the Danube Delta—A Pilot Methodology for Decision Makers. Water 2022, 14, 3484. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213484

20. Lazar, L.; Rodino, S.; Pop, R.; Tiller, R.; D’Haese, N.; Viaene, P.; De Kok, J.-L. Sustainable Development Scenarios in the Danube Delta—A Pilot Methodology for Decision Makers. Water 2022, 14, 3484. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213484

21. Lazar, L.; Rodino, S.; Pop, R.; Tiller, R.; D’Haese, N.; Viaene, P.; De Kok, J.-L. Sustainable Development Scenarios in the Danube Delta—A Pilot Methodology for Decision Makers. Water 2022, 14, 3484. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14213484

22. According to our methodology, we found scenario 2 as supporting the sustainable development of the area. This scenario was also envisaged by stakeholders’ in the form of marine aquaculture’s development in the future foresees the legal settlement of the water body concession issue and the implementation of the shellfish areas' sanitary-veterinary classification for safe human consumption. For fish farming, on-land recirculating aqua-culture systems (RAS) are the solution. In a long-term timeframe, four shellfish farms, one cage fish farm in the open sea and two RAS fish farms on land were desired. Another po-tential development direction could be the capitalization of chlorophyll from micro and macroalgae. For inland rural areas, the future relies on integrated agriculture, namely each community should focus on complete production: from cereals, animal farming, and processing units, to deliver finite products. Moreover, lower interest rates for credits and more subsidies are desirable, together with adapting to novel technologies (smart irrigation systems).Concerning tourism development, the trend of passing from classic tourism to eco-tourism is clear. The Danube Delta, a rather expensive destination, will be visited especially by foreign tourists who seek beautiful landscapes and nature, birdwatching, and local traditions.

23. Measures

24. Environmental scenarioThe goal of the COASTAL project is to formulate and evaluate business solutions and policy recommendations aimed at improving the coastal-rural synergy to foster rural and coastal development while preserving the environment.Development of Sustainable MethodsIntegrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)Lagooning/Artificial WetlandsSustainable Feed ManagementSustainable Use of ChemicalsPrecision Fish Farming (PFF)https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.666662/full

25. Relevant impact for COASTAL projectRegular feeding of the fish population in traditional farms with ponds placed on the regularized course of some streams, can lead to a decrease in water quality, if no additional treatment measures are taken; Insufficiently treated water discharge from intensive and super-intensive farms which, no matter how good the recirculation technology, also need a supply of water from outside the system and therefore discharges Wastewater resulting from processing activities discharged into effluents without passing through a treatment system;Intensive use of old, unverified heat engines with oil or fuel losses during fishing and transfer of catch to premium centers for sale;Improper operation of existing treatment plants at fish farms, catch processing and processing centers;Improper management of sludge from these treatment plants (by-products of the wastewater treatment process);Which results for your MAL can be shared outside COASTAL and how?  Aquaculture sustainability is an on-going process that requires integration of all stakeholders. Government, farmers, ecologists, and consumers should drive aquaculture practices under a risk assessment approach to reduce wastes, disease outbreaks, and operational costs enhancing sustainability potential.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.666662/full (Brana et al., 2021)

26. Transition pathwayBussiness Road MapExchange Platform https://coastal-xchange.eu/ BRM

27.