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Small-scale fisheries (SSF) in Croatia and Montenegro have a long tradition, similar to those of SSFs in other parts of the coastal Mediterranean. In order to improve fisheries management and save the cultural heritage of fishing traditions on the eastern Adriatic coast, scientists and fisheries managers, from these two countries, made an effort, t...
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... The Montenegrin fishing fleet is very small compared to other fleets in the region and consists mainly of old and outdated vessels (Joksimović et al., 2019;. Consequently, in terms of quantity, Montenegrin landings are among the lowest of all Adriatic countries, particularly in small-scale fisheries (Matić-Skoko et al., 2017). Scientific research and data related specifically to chondrichthyans in Montenegro has been limited (Serena and Barone, 2008;Mancusi et al., 2020), although efforts have increased in recent years to improve the situation (Ćetković, 2018; Ćetković et al., 2022a). ...
Chondrichthyans are considered a highly threatened marine species, due both to the intense fishing pressure they have experienced in the world’s Oceans over several decades, and other threats, such as habitat loss, climate change and marine pollution. A rapid decline in their populations could trigger significant negative changes in marine ecosystems, highlighting the need for improved conservation measures. This study analyzes the current state of this group in the waters of Montenegro (in the southeastern Adriatic Sea). The first national checklist is provided here, comprising of 44 species, with information on their occurrence frequencies in Montenegrin fishery catches. The dataset used consists of 1469 records obtained from 281 field samplings conducted as part of the official monitoring of commercial fisheries (DCF-DCRF) aswell as 1222 records derived from citizen science. The latter contributed significantly in documenting a greater number of species, particularly those considered threatened or rare in the region, and/or overlooked by DCF-DCRF monitoring. The frequency of species in Montenegrin catches is described based on the percentage of their records in the total number of records originating from local fisheries. The obtained results indicate that only 16% of the species recorded in Montenegro are commonly present in country’s catches, while 66% are either rare or not observed in local fishery. The creation of the country’s first checklist might contribute to overcoming drawbacks in national legislation and protection measures, notably by reporting the presence of endangered species in national marine waters.
... One of the gillnets with a large mesh size was named after the Croatian term for angelshark (sklat -sklatara). A similar name also exists in Montenegro (Matic-Skoko et al., 2017). Something similar was suggested by Fortibuoni et al. (2016) who reported that according to the accounts of naturalists and historical documents, the species was so abundant in the northern Adriatic in the 19 th and early 20 th centuries that directed fisheries could be sustained, and large quantities of S. squatina were sold in the main fish markets, but in the 1960s the species collapsed and became economically extinct. ...
The Mediterranean Sea is a hotspot for shark and ray extinctions and is home to the following three angelshark species: sawback angelshark Squatina aculeata, smoothback angelshark Squatina oculata, and common angelshark Squatina squatina. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey in four coastal regions of Albania, Shëngjin (Lezhë), Vlorë, Himarë (Sarandë) and Durrës, with the aim of collecting historical and current data on angelshark catches in the Albanian seas (Adriatic and Ionian Seas). Although the occurrence of common angelshark was reported by Croatian fishermen in the Adriatic Sea, we included the other two species in our study. The number of observations was minimal, although this is the first study of angelshark species sightings in Albania. It will establish a baseline study that will allow further work on the conservation of these regionally extinct and highly endangered species.
... Based on unpublished catch data and the available literature [33,[46][47][48], a list of 17 species has been defined, as representative of the main SSF catches in the GSA17 (Table 1). Global distributional data of each species were obtained by consulting the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS; accessible on the URL https://www.obis.org/ ...
... Duplicate records were deleted and, in order to obtain a picture as close as possible to the current spatial distribution of the species considered and to match the time window of the predictors, records were filtered retaining only records between 1950 and 2010. Based on unpublished catch data and the available literature [33,[46][47][48], a list of 17 species has been defined, as representative of the main SSF catches in the GSA17 (Table 1). Global distributional data of each species were obtained by consulting the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS; accessible on the URL https://www.obis.org/ ...
Climate change is altering the functioning of ecosystems and species distribution worldwide, with negative impacts on human activities, including fisheries. The Adriatic Sea is an extremely productive area for fisheries, due to the strong outflow of nutrients from rivers and the periodic mixing of nutrients from the Mediterranean. However, the Adriatic Sea is also a semi-closed basin, where species do not have the ability to move to higher latitudes to avoid warming of the waters. Climate change acts on biodiversity in a variety of ways, such as causing changes in the trophic network—favoring the intake of thermophilic alien species, often in competition with local species—and altering the biological cycles of acclimatized marine species to temperate–cold climates. These problems become critical factors for the survival of species and for fisheries relying on these resources. Within this context, to have estimates of possible modifications of the nektonic community in the near future could be quite useful for preparing adaptation plans. In this paper, using Maximum Entropy models under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, we estimated the future habitat suitability for a set of marine nektonic species of different thermal affinity (e.g., cold, temperate and warm species) within GSA17 (Northern and Central Adriatic Sea), among the most productive—and most exploited—areas of the Mediterranean Sea. This study shows how, at the current pace, climate change could modify marine ecosystems to the extent that future habitat suitability will decrease for nearly half of the species considered, with a decrease in landings from 13.5 to 86.9%, depending on the scenario. Only for the blue crab Callinectes sapidus has an increase in habitat suitability been observed. For most of the species considered, temperature was the most important variable to explain the probability of relative presence within the GSA17. On the other hand, GSA17 climatic conditions in the near future under the tested scenarios could become a suitable environment for tropical species, which could find here a suitable habitat, at least in terms of thermal features. Results of the present study can help the management of fishery resources and local markets in the near future, providing information to predict changes in the composition of the aquatic community and draw up management plans that take into account the effects of climate change.
... This is the main issue for fisheries data-poor areas such as the Albanian seas and in particular its SSFs sector. Although SSFs have been thoroughly examined in different parts of the Mediterranean (Spain: Maynou et al., 2011;Tunisie: Jabeur et al., 2000;Greece: Tzanatos et al., 2020), including the Adriatic Sea (Carpi et al., 2017;Matić-Skoko et al., 2017;Grati et al., 2018), however, none of the studies have treated SSFs in Albanian waters. SSFs in Albanian waters contributed slightly more than 5% of the total fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2019). ...
... The seasonality pattern observed in the studied fishing tactics might be also due to the unfavorable weather conditions that occurred during winter which impede the small-sized fishing vessels to exploit the more distant and productive fishing grounds (Thoya and Daw, 2019). This pattern is in agreement with other Adriatic SSFs that mainly operate in areas that can be reached within a few hours from the home port (Bastardie et al., 2017) and are active fully or part-time throughout the year (Matić-Skoko et al., 2017;Grati et al., 2018). Seeking the maximization of profit based on prior experience, a fisher is switching between alternative tactics during short-term periods in order to take advantage of the availability of the target species and market demands. ...
The lack of reliable fisheries statistics hampers full assessment of the status of marine resources. Central to this problem are data-poor fisheries such as the Albanian seas and in particular the SSF sector. The present study aims to portray the small-scale fishery of south Albanian waters based on daily onboard monitoring of fisheries species catches during a two-year period (2016-2018). Results revealed a total of 6 and 11 fishing métiers for the nets and longlines, respectively. The most important target species for nets in terms of catches were Merluccius merluccius, Mullus surmuletus, Pagellus erythrinus, Sepia officinalis and Solea vulgaris. Longline fisheries were categorized into two distinct fishing métiers, one targeting the large pelagics Thunnus thynnus and Xiphias gladius, and the other targeting a wide range of Sparidae species and Epinephelus marginatus. The data and analysis presented here aim to reduce the current lack of quantitative data on a fisheries data-limited case such as the Albanian small-scale fishery and to provide information for developing monitoring for this fishery.
... Joksimović et al. [39] contributed to the literature in the reported area and reviewed the state of marine fisheries in Montenegro for the last 15 years. On the other hand, Matić-Skoko et al. [40] gave specific conclusions for the coastal resources in the SSFs domain in Croatia and Montenegro. The authors proposed additional measurements and the active management of the fisheries. ...
Maritime transport and sustainable development require a recognizable global approach. The state, as the dominant structure in the world, enables the realization of sustainable maritime transport aims through its instruments. Therefore, it is very significant to consider the national maritime policies because the effective implementation of the global policy is impossible without considering the adequate mechanisms at the state level. The adopted Montenegrin strategic documents impact the institutional framework set-up of the Blue Economy (BE) sectors and potentials for ecologically sustainable maritime transport. Although there are no practical directions for the sustainable use of sea resources, Montenegro is affirmatively oriented to the BE concept. Knowing that Montenegro is in the process of the pre-accessing EU phase, it is of importance to be on the right road to creating a national maritime transport policy including environmental practices, to become part of the strategic implementation of the BE. The paper provides recommendations that can serve for the successful follow-up of the BE activities in Montenegro and the wider area.
... Given the favourable geomorphological and meteorological conditions of the Adriatic Sea (Šarušić 2000), marine culture is one of the most important Croatian production sectors, the most exploited shellfish species thereby being Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) and European oysters (Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758) (Matić-Skoko et al. 2017). On top of their commercial value, bivalves play an important role in healthy diet due to their high nutritional value. ...
The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of the most representative cyclic imines (CIs) gymnodimine (GYM), pinnatoxin G (PnTX-G), and 13-desmethyl SPX C (SPX1) in Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) (n = 416), European oysters (Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 104), Queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 52) and edible ascidians of the Microcosmus spp. (n = 104) originating from nine harvesting and breeding areas in the northern part of the Adriatic Sea using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All CI concentrations were far below the guidance level of 400 μg SPXs/kg proposed by the EU Reference Laboratory for Marine Toxins. In contrast to Queen scallops and ascidians, in Mediterranean mussels and European oysters CIs were found throughout the year. Our data reveal the differences between species predisposed for CIs accumulation, as well as seasonal and locational variations in CIs occurrence.
... SSF is a very important sector also in the Adriatic Sea [3]. The Adriatic SSFs are diverse, complex, and dynamic; they are active throughout the year using a wide range of fishing strategies that can be described in terms of target species, fishing gear, fishing grounds, and métiers [4], exerting a number of important local effects. ...
... Measures regarding fishing effort and technical characteristics of the gears are enforced to manage SSF in the Adriatic [3]. ...
... In fact, considering the multi-specific nature of the Mediterranean fisheries [26], a mesh size appropriate for one species will be unsuitable for many others [1]. Moreover, it seems that higher discard ratio in trammel nets is more related to season then to mesh size [27], which points out that direction of future sustainable management on the eastern Adriatic coast must go toward proclamation of closed area and seasons rather than numerous changes in the constructional features of fishing gears [3]. The issue is even more complicated considering that passive gear selectivity is less well known than trawl selectivity [19,28]. ...
The Adriatic Sea is one of the world’s most heavily exploited areas, with a
large number and variety of commercial important species caught and a wide range of fishing methods employed. In this basin, small-scale fisheries (SSFs), performed by fishing vessels of an overall length <12 m and not using towed gear, play a major socioeconomic role. The Adriatic SSFs are diverse, complex, and dynamic; they are active throughout the year using a wide range of fishing strategies. However, the most commonly employed gears are gillnets, trammel nets, and traps, to catch a pool of target species in coastal areas. In general, good fisheries management requires that fishing gears should catch the large adult fish, while small juveniles are allowed to escape; in SSF sector this is translated into mesh size regulation. The mesh size or mesh opening is normally defined as the distance between opposite corners of the mesh when it is fully stretched (stretched mesh size). In principle, the larger the mesh size, the greater is the chance of small fish escaping through the gaps between the netting twines. Since passive nets are considered less harmful to stocks and habitats
than other gears, their selectivity is less explored. Here is presented a review of the available literature on the Adriatic SSF gear selectivity determined by technical features, and consequent quali-quantitative composition of catches.
... Each trial consisted of a pair of control and illuminated net, deployed a minimum of 100 m apart to avoid illumination of control nets. The fisherman used gillnets and trammel nets typical for the Northern Adriatic Region (Matić -Skoko et al. 2017). Gillnets had a single net layer with stretched mesh length measuring minimum 140 mm and with single net pane length of approximately 70 m and height 1.65 m. ...
Bycatch in small scale fisheries has been recognized as a significant threat to sea turtles globally in the last two decades. In case of static gears, no bycatch mitigation measures were available apart from spatio-temporal closures. Recent experimental trials showed that visual deterrents, such as static net illumination by LED lights of different wave lengths, are an effective bycatch mitigation measure. We tested conservation potential of green-colored LED lights for reduction of loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) bycatch rates in bottom-set gillnets and trammel nets in the Northern Adriatic Sea, one of the most important neritic foraging habitats for this species in the Mediterranean. In addition, we assessed the effect of illumination on target species catch and value per unit of fishing effort (CPUE and VPUE, respectively). The surveys were carried out during regular fishing activities by onboard observers, in period June – September 2018 and April – August 2019. We monitored 98 gillnet and 161 trammel net pairs, with each net pair consisting of illuminated and control net. A total of 11 loggerhead turtles were bycaught: 6 in illuminated and 5 in control nets, with overall mortality rate of 72.7%. Illumination of trammel nets resulted in reduction of target species CPUE and VPUE (23% and 27%, respectively, p < 0.001), while the difference in gillnets showed no significant change. The low sea turtle bycatch rates were in stark contrast to these reported by fisherman and bycatch estimates in the Adriatic, especially as the nets were deployed in areas with high densities of loggerheads. Low number of bycaught loggerhead turtles prevented us from drawing conclusions on the effectiveness of net illumination with green LED lights as a tool for bycatch reduction for this species. Possible ecological drivers behind obtained results will be discussed.
... On the other side, bottom set longlines are used to exploit demersal fish communities. Within this area, the most abundant species in catches of this kind longlines is European conger (Conger conger), followed by red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) and hake (Merluccius merluccius) (Matić-Skoko et al. 2017). ...
Determination of Fishing Effort on Sharks by Montenegrin Marine Fisheries and Multi-Stakeholder Informing about Conservation of these Endangered Species project, funded by The Rufford Foundation was designed in order to address lack of data on sharks, low level of ecological consciousness among multi-level stakeholder groups and deficiency of
knowledge among fishermen community. The study is a part of the project initiative for first comprehensive shark-dedicated research in Montenegro. Study area implied Montenegrin coastal waters (Southeastern Adriatic Sea) and project field activities included observations on board and at landing points in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The research took into consideration four types of fishing gears. From multiple gears used for commercial exploitation of marine resources, bottom trawls, entangling nets (gillnets and
trammel nets together) and drifting longlines were targeted by the survey. The big game fishing targeting tunas and swordfish was selected for monitoring among the various forms of sport-recreational fishing. Next to the in the field observations, an interviewing data collection has been carried out using questionnaires for collecting species distributions data within the study area. Moreover, interviews were used to collect human well-being and fisheries sustainability related data which concerns sharks and their importance for the members of local professional fishermen community, across the project’s period. Nine species of sharks were recorded as present in catches and landings of Montenegrin fisheries. This study provides created distribution maps of several assessed sharks and obtained fishery-depending, biological and socio-economic related
findings. Abundance of the found species has been discussed and presented per surveyed fishing gears. Possibilities are identified to be exploiting of least concern species rather than threatened ones to reduce the existing fishing pressure they are exposed to. Needed conservation measures imply review and improvements in legislation and its enforcement as well as establishment of long-term monitoring regarding endangered sharks. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329963424_Composition_and_abundance_of_shark_by-catch_in_Montenegrin_fisheries)
In the last decades in Europe, especially in the Balkan region, modernization of agriculture gave priority to economic growth without consideration of the environmental impact and sustainable development. Fisheries have traditional and essential importance of food and income in the Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania (Western Balkans). The fisheries sector in Western Balkans is still not organized according to requirements of ecosystem integrity and sustainable utility. Practical application of the legislation indicates that the fishery has been developed without adequate harmonization with socio-economic characteristics, enforcement resources, and adequate control measures. Policymakers continue to be reluctant to give importance to the fishery sector, when allocating fishery resources among multifunctional users of water resources. In the following text, we gave review of the fisheries policy and socio-economic aspects of fishery sector in the Western Balkan countries. Critical fisheries policy and management measures are discussed and the propositions and recommendations of environmental sustainability measures under modern anthropogenic pressures are presented.
