Adriatic fishermen face economic strain amid declining stocks and poor infrastructure

Fishermen in Montenegro and Croatia are facing significant economic and structural challenges due to declining fish stocks and regulatory constraints in the Adriatic Sea.

In Montenegro, representatives from the National Association of Fish Producers report that fishermen in Herceg Novi are struggling with a lack of maritime infrastructure and inadequate institutional support. Despite discussions with European Union delegations, industry members claim their concerns regarding the inability to access ports and the need for modernized fleets are not being addressed effectively by the state.

In Croatia, authorities have implemented emergency measures to protect dwindling sardine populations, specifically reducing the allowed fishing days along the western coast of Istria from 20 to five days per month. While fishermen acknowledge the necessity of conservation, they warn that time-based restrictions may not be effective and suggest that quotas should be managed per vessel instead. Experts from the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries note that the decline in small blue fish remains a critical issue requiring further investigation.