Tsarevo Council Rejects Marine Reserve for Cape Maslen Nos

The Tsarevo Municipal Council in Bulgaria has unanimously voted against the establishment of a marine-only protected reserve at Cape Maslen Nos, a decision made on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This follows a period of debate and opposition from local communities and municipal authorities.

Opposition from Local Municipalities

The decision comes after meetings involving representatives from Greenpeace, and the mayors of Sozopol, Primorsko, and Tsarevo, as well as local fishing communities and citizens. During these meetings, concerns were raised regarding the lack of prior consultation with the municipalities affected by the proposed reserve Sozopol Municipality reported. The municipalities stated they were presented with limited information and a schematic map of the proposed area.

Concerns Regarding Livelihoods

The primary concern voiced by local officials centers on the potential negative impact on the livelihoods of fishermen. The creation of a protected reserve could lead to restrictions or complete prohibitions on traditional fishing practices as stated by the Tsarevo Municipality.

Greenpeace’s Proposal

Greenpeace had proposed the marine territory of Maslen Nos be designated a protected reserve, arguing that such a measure would benefit the environment, tourism, and fisheries. However, local communities and representatives from the tourism sector have strongly opposed the initiative according to reports from Iskra.bg.

Recent Incident and Search Operation

Separately, a fishing vessel with three people on board disappeared in the Maslen Nos region today before noon. A search operation involving the Maritime Administration and Border Police is currently underway, with a strong storm believed to be a contributing factor to the incident.