Staff from the Black Sea Protection Convention Division of the Environmental Supervision Department, operating under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, together with officers from the Border Police, have identified an instance of Black Sea pollution.

The sea was contaminated with bilge water discharged by a vessel sailing under the Liberian flag.

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, an administrative offence report prepared by officers from the Environmental Supervision Department and the Border Police led the Poti Court to find the vessel in violation and impose a fine of 100,000 lari.

The vessel was permitted to leave Georgian territorial waters and resume free navigation only after the levied fine and the sum assessed for environmental damage had been paid in full.

Protecting the Black Sea is a priority for the Environmental Supervision Department. The Black Sea Protection Convention Division maintains ongoing oversight of the Black Sea to minimise water pollution and prevent, detect, and suppress illegal fishing activities. This year alone, staff have inspected over 100 vessels, recording just seven instances of sea pollution caused by ship discharges.

It is worth noting that in recent years the number of cases involving petroleum product pollution from vessels has fallen considerably, a result, on the one hand, of the strengthening of the Environmental Supervision Department and the effective work of the Black Sea Convention Division, and on the other, of increased financial penalties, which have had a notable deterrent effect.