Georgia to toughen sanctions for Black Sea pollution

Environment Protection and Agriculture Minister Otar Shamugia has said that the Georgian government is going to toughen sanctions for environmental violations in the Black Sea.

The ministry said in a statement that to harmonize fines for sea pollution with the countries of the Black Sea region, an increase in penalties is envisaged, Georgia Online reports.

"From 65,000 GEL (22,000 euros) to 100,000 GEL (34,000 euros) the fine for dumping harmful, polluting substances, industrial, technical or other types of waste and/or materials into the sea in violation of the procedure established by the Georgian legislation, as well as - violation of the rule of their burial, sea pollution from ships, other floating vehicles, platforms, pipelines or other artificially constructed structures in the sea will be increased," the ministry specified.

The Ministry points out that out of 63 offences detected in 2022, 21 are related to the pollution of the Black Sea by ships, while in 2023, 65 offences have been detected so far, 16 of which were polluted by ships.