Factors Hindering the Sustainable Development of the Black Sea Coast of Georgia Based on the Concept of the Blue Economy (Instance of Batumi)

Abstract

Contemporary excessive consumption of resources in the world, rapid population growth, and consumer attitudes toward the environment have created many problems, to which the search for solutions began in the second half of the twentieth century. One of the main ways to overcome existing problems and challenges is sustainable development: "Sustainable development is a form of development that apply and satisfy the needs of the present so as not to jeopardize the ability of future generations to meet their needs." The Sustainable Development Goals, developed in 2015, have become a continuation of the Millennium Development Goals. The main document of the Agenda for Sustainable Development - "Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," has been developed. The new Sustainable Development Action Plan includes 17 goals and 169 targets, 14 of which are the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. One of the essential resources for the sustainable development of our country's economy is the Black Sea, characterized by a unique habitat, rich resources, and a rich cultural heritage. The Black Sea is vital for the community living on its shores, so the development of the Black Sea economy should be based on the principles of the "blue economy." The blue economy is an extension of the concept of a green economy towards sustainable development of coastal zones and the waters of the seas or oceans. The blue economy policy is aimed at the rational use of available resources and the preservation of the sustainability of ecosystems; its priorities are fisheries, aquaculture, marine resources, maritime and coastal tourism, maritime transport, and shipping. The purpose of the article is to prioritize ecosystem services on the Black Sea coast of Georgia, identify the main pressures and risks, and identify the main problems and obstacles that hinder the implementation of the Blue Economy" in the Black Sea (example of Batumi), in social, environmental and technological contexts. Also, identify the opportunities in the coastal tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, maritime transport, blue bioeconomy, and environment sectors. Assess marine and land biodiversity and the current economic development level based on the Blue Economy principles. The article presents and considers the natural resource potential of the Black Sea coastal zone of Georgia, marine and land biodiversity, assesses the current level of economic development and prospects, and describes the main types of economic activities carried out in coastal regions. Willingness to know the principles of the Blue Economy, share this knowledge, and implement the principles of this concept through the four main sectors on the Black Sea coast of Georgia: the private sector, civil servants, the non-governmental sector, and the educational/expert sector. In the European integration process, great importance is attached to the "Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union" and its effective and efficient implementation. This document can be considered the legal basis for introducing the Blue Economy implementation and determining the relevance of this issue. However, the relevance of this topic is due to the leading economic function of ecosystem services in the Black Sea coastal zone. Research Methodology: The study used a combination of several methods. In the first stage of the study, a review of the existing scientific literature was carried out. As part of the analysis of documents, the statistical data of the National Statistical Office of Georgia and international surveys of the Mediterranean and Black Sea countries were analyzed. Based on the analysis of secondary data, an empirical research questionnaire was developed, and the target group of the research was identified: representatives of business, government, non-government, and scientific/educational sectors of Batumi. An empirical study was conducted in February 2022. During the focus group survey, the priorities of ecosystem services were identified in the example of Batumi, the main pressures and risks were noted, key challenges were outlined, and obstacles to the implementation of the Blue Economy in the Black Sea (on the example of Batumi), in social, environmental, economic and technological contexts were also learned. The opportunities in the coastal tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, renewable energy, maritime transport, blue bioeconomy, and environment sectors were identified.