A MODEL TECHNICAL COOPERATION PROJECT ON THE MARINE RADIOACTIVITY ASSESSMENT IN THE BLACK SEA REGION B.G. Göktepe*, G. Köksal*, I. Osvath**, A. Köse*, R. Küçükcezzar*, A.Varinlioğlu*, N. Güngör* * Turkish Atomic Energy Authorithy, Çekmece Nuclear Research and Training Center, İstanbul,TURKEY ** IAEA, Marine Environment Laboratory, MONACO INTRODUCTION "Marine Environmental Assessment of the Black Sea Region" is a wide scope Regional Technical Co-operation Project coded as RER/2/003 implemented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the period 1995-2001.This multidisciplinay project was designed in response to the needs of participating Member States - the six Black Sea coastal countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russian Federation, Georgia and Turkey)- to establish capabilities for reliably assessing radionuclides in the Black Sea environment and applying tracer techniques to marine pollution studies. The IAEA assisted laboratories in the region by providing expert services, training, equipment and materials (Göktepe et al., 1998; Osvath et al., 1997 2000). TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN THE BLACK SEA REGION The model Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) on the Marine Radioactivity Assessment among Black Sea countries has various important aspects: Scientifically; one of the major environmental issue radioactivity pollution is addressed. Marine radioactivity data is accumulated. Technically; laboratory capability for transuranic analysis is being developed. Economically; the reversing the ecological deterioration and developing sustainable uses of the Black Sea and its natural resources is one of the major interests. Politically; responsibility of pollution control and rehabilitation plans of six Black Sea countries are addressed through various convention and declarations. Socio-economically, fisheries and tourism sectors are expected to benefit (Göktepe et al., 2000). One of the main targets of the project design and management was set as the integration of strong practical co-operation mechanisms into the joint work. In order to achieve the best results, annual planning and co-ordination meetings were held from the start of the activities. A good co-operation scheme between the IAEA and all participant countries as well as other ongoing projects and international organizations is integrated into the work. A first joint scientific cruise with 31 participants is organized to the Black Sea western basin in 9-23 September 1998 and a Ministerial Meeting is convened in Monaco to discuss future project strategies. The second joint cruise organized to the Eastern part of the Black Sea during the period 21 September- 11 October 2000 with a goal to complete the marine environmental assessment initiated in 1998. The Cruise was carried out on board with the Ukrainian Research Vessel “Prof. Vodyanitskyi”. 30 scientists from research institutes in all Black Sea countries have taken part in the cruise.