These shallow Black Sea bays comprise several island spits and surrounding waters. Vegetation consists of steppe and coastal communities including reedbeds, vast aquatic meadows, salt-tolerant plants and grasses; many species are endemic. The Site features one of the largest uninhabited islands in Europe – Dzharylgach – which is an important barrier to protect the shore from storms and erosion. It is an important area for waterbirds, with up to 150,000 migratory and 130,000 wintering individuals. The threatened white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) and common pochard (Aythya ferina) are among these. The shallow bay provides habitat for endemic and threatened fish including four endangered sturgeon species. Human activities include commercial and recreational fishing, hunting, livestock and grazing. People benefit from the Site’s resources such as fish, molluscs, corn and drinking water. The Bays’morphology and water level are strongly influenced by winds, currents and river discharge. The Site’s boundary was calculated more accurately in 2021, increasing the area by over 60,000 hectares.