CASPIAN DISCOMFORT ZONE

The Caspian Sea, the largest enclosed body of water on the planet, is facing serious ecological challenges that require immediate action. In response, the World Bank (WB) is scheduled to approve funding for the project "Cleansing the Caspian Sea: Building Capacity for Pollution Management and Biodiversity Conservation" on June 25, emphasising the pressing need to address long-standing environmental concerns. The project will be funded by a $12 million grant from the Global Environment Facility and will be implemented over five years under the guidance of the United Nations Environment Programme (Report). The WB notes that the Caspian contains approximately 44% of all inland water on Earth and washes the shores of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan.

The Caspian ecosystem is unique. It is home to about 400 endemic species, and its prolonged isolation from the world's oceans has fostered rich biodiversity. However, in recent decades, there has been a significant decrease in the water level in the Caspian. Projections indicate that by 2100, this figure could decline by 8-30 m, a consequence of climate change and the economic exploitation of water resources," emphasises the bank. The project is a significant initiative to protect the ecosystem of the world's largest landlocked lake. By analysing its main directions, several key aspects can be highlighted.

Pollution Hot Spots

The project proposes a comprehensive approach to the ecology of the Caspian, encompassing not only pollution control but also biodiversity conservation, sustainable management of natural resources, and the development of fishing communities. The inclusion of marine spatial planning and integrated coastal zone management demonstrates a long-term strategic vision. The project involves three countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan), making it essential for addressing ecological issues at a trans-boundary level. The establishment of a Coordinating Centre and a Regional Committee will enhance the effectiveness of collaborative efforts.

Regarding funding and resource allocation, the $12 million grant can serve as a good starting point for initial activities. A significant portion of the funds ($9.8 million) will be directed towards pollution management and biodiversity conservation, which is a priority task. The funding is divided into four main areas: national and regional policy and institutional development ($1.6 million); pollution management ($4.9 million); biodiversity management ($4.9 million); and project management ($0.6 million).

Scientific monitoring and training will include analysis of pollution "hot spots" and assessment of economic losses due to ecosystem degradation. This approach is grounded in scientific principles. In addition, personnel will be trained and workshops will be conducted to lay the foundation for effective management in the future. However, it is important to consider whether the problems of the largest landlocked water body can be resolved with just one project. What are the primary ecological issues facing the Caspian Sea?

State Factors

The ecological condition of the Caspian is deteriorating due to a number of factors. The primary concern is oil pollution. The extraction of oil from onshore and offshore fields leads to substantial quantities of oil entering the marine environment. This results in the formation of oil slicks on the water's surface, leading to a reduction in oxygen saturation and the subsequent death of phytoplankton and other marine organisms.

Secondly, pollution by heavy metals is a significant concern. Heavy metals from both natural and anthropogenic sources are entering Caspian waters. Exceeding permissible concentrations of these substances leads to genetic changes in marine inhabitants and toxin accumulation in the food chain. For instance, there has been an increase in heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and arsenic in the Caspian Sea shelf due to intensive oil and gas extraction.

Thirdly, there is the issue of wastewater and sewage discharges. Approximately 90% of pollution enters the sea via rivers, especially the Volga. The presence of toxic substances in industrial and domestic wastewater has a detrimental effect on marine biological resources. The Kura and Ural rivers also contribute significantly to pollution.

The introduction of alien species through both natural and anthropogenic factors is the fourth issue to be addressed. The introduction of new species, such as the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi, has a detrimental effect on the ecosystem, reducing the food base for local fish species and causing their populations to decline.

The fifth issue is poaching and overfishing. Illegal catches, particularly of sturgeon fish, lead to a sharp decrease in their populations, jeopardising the region's biodiversity.

Water Level Fluctuations

The shallowing of the Caspian Sea and its receding waters are a particular concern at present. A number of scientists believe that the water level in the Caspian Sea is subject to a specific repeating cycle. The Caspian Sea level has been the subject of study for approximately 200 years. During this time, specialists have concluded that water level fluctuations are part of a natural cycle and do not pose a threat to the existence of the water body. However, there has been a consistent decline in water levels in recent decades, and the specific causes of this are unclear due to a lack of global study of climate change. Over the past decade, the Caspian Sea's water level has receded by 114 cm, with a notable decline of 69 cm occurring within a mere five-year span. It is now widely accepted that global warming is the primary cause of this situation. Rising temperatures lead to increased evaporation from the sea surface and changes in precipitation patterns, resulting in reduced inflow of fresh water. Human activities, such as dam construction and hydropower plants on rivers feeding into the Caspian, particularly on the Volga, also play a significant role in reducing water volumes entering the sea.

Scientists are concerned that by the end of the 21st century, the Caspian Sea level may decrease by 8-14 m, leading to shallowing of coastal areas and adversely affecting both ecosystems and regional economies.

Nerpa Decline

The Caspian seal (Pusa caspica) is the only marine mammal in the Caspian Sea. It has faced serious threats in recent decades, leading to a significant reduction in its population. In the early 20th century, numbers reached approximately 1 million. By 2019, the population had decreased to between 43,000 and 66,000. Furthermore, there have been reports of mass fatalities among the seal population. In December 2022, over 1,700 dead seals were found along the coast of Dagestan, with experts estimating that these animals had been dead for two weeks prior to their discovery. Subsequent discoveries brought the total number of dead seals to 2,500. The primary hypotheses for these deaths include infections, pollution from wastewater discharges, entanglement in poacher nets, and oil contamination. However, the precise cause of the mass die-off has yet to be determined. Since 24 October 2024, there have been reports of dead seals along the Caspian Sea coast, with 1,034 recorded by 14 November, some displaying mechanical injuries. It is noteworthy that approximately 60% of the deceased females were pregnant. Research into the causes of death for this unique endemic Caspian seal is ongoing. The primary threats to the Caspian seal are currently understood to be:habitat pollution, which includes industrial and agricultural discharges containing toxic substances;poaching, which involves the illegal hunting of seals for their fat and skin, leading to population decline;rising temperatures, which affect ice cover on the Caspian Sea, complicating seal reproduction; and fish catch, where seals often accidentally get caught in fishing nets, leading to their deaths.

Despite the development of protection plans, their implementation remains inadequate. Ecologists are calling for enhanced control over illegal hunting, monitoring population status, and improving international cooperation for species conservation. Protecting the Caspian seal requires a comprehensive approach that includes habitat protection as well as addressing immediate threats to this species.

Sturgeon Under Greater Protection

Sturgeon populations are also in decline. As with seals, the reasons are clear: industrial pollution. The discharge of untreated industrial and domestic wastewater into the rivers Kura and Araz is leading to deteriorating water quality, which is negatively impacting the health and survival of sturgeon. Despite existing bans on commercial fishing, illegal catches remain a significant problem. Changes in the Caspian Sea level are also having an impact, with water fluctuations affecting spawning grounds and migration routes for sturgeon, complicating their reproduction processes. Azerbaijan's authorities are implementing measures to conserve and restore sturgeon populations. Azerbaijan has prohibited fishing for sturgeon species. Furthermore, there are ongoing initiatives to enhance natural populations through artificial breeding and the release of juveniles into water bodies. For instance, over 550 thousand sturgeon fry were released into Kura in 2021, while in June 2023, 600 thousand sturgeon fry and 10 thousand beluga fry were released.

The establishment of specially protected natural areas covering a total area of 165,989 hectares has been implemented to restore sturgeon populations and prevent their extinction along the coastal zone of the Caspian Sea. This includes Absheron National Park, Samur-Yalama National Park, Shirvan National Park, and Gizilaghaj Reserve.

It is encouraging that Caspian countries, including Azerbaijan, have extended their ban on commercial fishing for sturgeon species until 2025 and will not set export quotas during this period.

Risks and Limitations

This represents only a small part of the ecological problems currently being faced by the unique Caspian Sea. A comprehensive list of all the issues would require a significant investment of time and resources. It is evident that the Caspian Sea, which extends along 955 km of Azerbaijan's coastline, necessitates urgent attention and conservation measures. In view of the escalating ecological issues in the sea, it is crucial to reinforce control over oil extraction and implement modern technologies alongside strict environmental standards during oil extraction and transportation.

New treatment facilities must be built and existing ones modernised to prevent pollutants from entering the sea. Combatting poaching alongside enhancing measures for bio-resource protection and tightening penalties for illegal fishing is essential.

The implementation of these measures necessitates rigorous monitoring, research, and the development of adaptive strategies.

The World Bank project has the potential to contribute to resolving these issues. What impediments might hinder effective implementation? Firstly, limited participation from all Caspian countries poses a challenge. The project excludes Russia and Iran, whose involvement is crucial given their significant roles in Caspian ecology, potentially diminishing its effectiveness.

Secondly, the project's budget of $12 million may be considered inadequate for addressing the comprehensive ecological challenges facing the Caspian Sea on a global scale. In other words, without substantial additional investments, efforts to reduce pollution may prove inadequate.

Thirdly, the current focus on monitoring rather than specific actions is also a concern. While the project involves analysing pollution levels and biodiversity impacts, there is little mention of concrete measures for cleaning water or combating illegal fishing practices, such as installing treatment facilities or oil spill response efforts, though these may be considered during implementation depending on emerging issues.

This World Bank project is undoubtedly a significant milestone in the preservation of the Caspian Sea. However, at this stage, the focus is more on monitoring, coordination and planning than on direct environmental actions. Achieving tangible change will necessitate additional funding, the participation of all Caspian countries, and concrete measures against pollution, regulation of fishing practices, and ecosystem restoration efforts. Securing a sustainable future for this unique water body and its inhabitants will require collaborative efforts among Caspian states and international communities.