Fishermen from Varna demand suspension of fishing over concerns of naval mines

Fishermen from Bulgaria's coastal city of Varna have demanded a suspension of fishing for several months because of the danger of floating naval mines. They also demand that the state compensate their industry for the losses they will suffer. At the moment, no mines have been found in Bulgarian territorial waters. The navy continues the watch by air.

No stray sea mines found in Bulgaria’s Black Sea water area, but fishermen afraid to take their boats out to the sea

Fishermen from Varna have suspended fishing in the Black Sea after reports of mine-like objects being spotted southeast of Cape Galata.

"We were worried. We worked one more day, but we came home. Given that we wanted to work 4 days, we only worked two. That way we lose. And you can't work peacefully in the sea," Ivaylo Stefanov told BNT on March 30.

Despite assurances that if naval mines appear in our waters they will follow the current and pass far from shore, local fishermen are afraid to take their boats out to sea.

"We have night crossings where a problem could occur. There is no visibility, and if there is a collision with a mine, that will be the end of the fishing," Stefanov says.

The fishermen demand the state to take urgent measures, otherwise many companies in their industry may go bust.

If the fishing is not suspended, the fishermen insist that the relevant authorities designate areas where they can work without the risk of possible collisions with mines.

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