Presentation of the new book “My Friend the Black Sea” at the special event devoted to the International Black Sea Day in Ukraine

Odesa, Ukraine, 31 October 2024 – A book for general public, titled “My friend the Black Sea” was presented in Odesa on occasion of the International Black Sea Day. This publication is partly a translation of Yuvenaliy Zaytsev’s renowned work “Your Friend the Sea” updated with current research and with augmented reality features showcasing underwater life. The book also addresses for the first time the main impacts of the war on the Black Sea. This publication was made possible due to support from the EU-UNDP funded project “European Union for Improving Environmental Monitoring of the Black Sea” (EU4EMBLAS), the findings of which are including in the book.

Commenting this publication,EU4EMBLAS Team Leader Jaroslav Slobodnik said the new book successfully blends old and new knowledge: “We believe that this book has succeeded in combining the best of the past experiences with the latest knowledge backed by new data, thereby demonstrating respect for Zaytsev’s scientific legacy even under the present difficult conditions,”Slobodnik said.

The book provides an integrated description of Black Sea biodiversity, the human-induced impacts on it – including the current effects of military actions – and offers practical advice herefor the public on how to support the Black Sea in their daily lives. It is expected to be used in schools and as family reading material to raise awareness about the sea. The book is available for free in electronic form here.

Besides the book presentation, the event included discussions of the progress made during the 28 years since signing the Black Sea Convention as well as the results of the current marine surveys.

The event was attended by environmentalists, scientists and representatives of the national protected areas as well as educational institutions and regional authorities. In total around 50 participants. It was organized by the Institute of the Marine Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine jointly with the EU4EMBLAS project.

The presentation of the book was reflected in the relevant press-releases by the UNDP:

ENG: https://www.undp.org/ukraine/press-releases/new-book-marine-diversity-my-friend-black-sea-presented-international-black-sea-day

UKR: https://www.undp.org/uk/ukraine/press-releases/do-mizhnarodnoho-dnya-chornoho-morya-v-odesi-prezentuvaly-novu-knyhu-pro-morske-riznomanittya-miy-druh-chorne-more

As well as the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine http://surl.li/uokucx