Protected Zones

The following Protected zones from the Ecological Network Natura 2000 are located in the territory of Nessebar Municipality, in accordance with the Biological Diversity Act.

-        Protected zone of Emine, under the Directive on the conservation of wild birds extends over a total surface area of 668 ha. There are 118 avian species, in total, within the protected zone, some of which are: the  Pink Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), the Glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), etc. Practically, the Protected Zone of Emine covers all populated areas and settlements in Nessebar Municipality.

-        Protected zone of Kamchiiska planina, under the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds extends over a total surface area of 889 ha. The territory of the protected zone also includes some sea territories of a total area of 27 ha. There are 85 avian species, in total, within the protected zone, some of which are: the  Dalmatian pelican (Pelecanus crispus), the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus), the Common crane (Grus grus),  the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), etc.

-        Protected zone of Aheloy-Ravda-Nesebar,  under the Directive for the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna; it extends over a total area of 39 ha. The species within the protected zone are:

• Mammals:  Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna)
• Amphibians and reptiles: Southern crested newt (Triturus karelinii), European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina)
• Fish: Black Sea shad (Alosa tanaica), Spined loach (Cobitis taenia)

-        Protected zone of Emine-Irakli, under the Directive for the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna; it extends over an area of 16,795 ha., and includes water territories of 7,678 ha. The goals set out for the Protected Zone of Emine-Irakli are the following: (i) Preservation of the area of the natural habitats and the habitats of the species and their populations within the territory of the protected zone; (ii) If necessary, restoration of the area and the natural condition of natural habitats and habitats of species, including the population of the species within the territory of the protected zone. The species within the protected zone are:

• Mammals: Eurasian wolf (Canis lupus lupus), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), etc.
• Amphibians and reptiles: Tortoise (Testudo hermanni), Southern crested newt (Triturus karelinii), etc.
• Fish: Black Sea shad (Alosa tanaica), Twait shad (Alosa fallax), etc.

-        Protected zone of Kamchiiska i Emenska planina under the Directive for the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna; it extends over an area of 63,679 ha. The species within the protected zone are:

• Mammals: Steppe polecat (Mustela eversmanii), European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), Bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteinii), etc.
• Amphibians and reptiles: Bulgarian ratsnake (Elaphe quatuorlineata), European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)
• Fish: Southern barbel (Barbus meridionalis), Spined loach (Cobitis taenia)
• Invertebrates: Thick shelled mussel (Unio crassus), Desmoulin's whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana)

The protection and conservation of the biodiversity in the area is a precondition for the stability of the ecosystems, which provides a favourable environmental protection status and viability of the populations of the various species protected. Its rich past and well-preserved historical monuments, its wide beaches and natural sand dunes, a unique natural phenomenon, make the Municipality of Nessebar an attractive cultural and tourist destination.