25 July, 2018 - The Port Milena canal was excavated in 1885 with the purpose of pouring water from Zoganjsko Lake into the sea. The order for this venture was issued by the Prince of Montenegro, Nikola I, after his first visit to Ulcinj, based on the decision of the Berlin Congress. Port Milena used to be 4 km long, 80-120 meters wide with a depth of 4-8 meters. Today, in some places it has almost dried up.
What was once a natural lagoon and the largest fish hatchery in the southern Adriatic Sea, the canal today has turned into is a black ecological spot and drain for sewage water. The salt processing plant raised the embankment along the river Bojana that has stopped the river water inflow and the purification of the port and canal. Some of the surrounding villages have their wastewaters discharged to the canal as well. The municipal and federal authorities were therefore urged to find a solution to the ecological crisis in Port Milena.
Accordingly, the Municipality of Ulcinj launched an initiative on the use of the Đerane Pumping Plant for the needs of Port Milena. The 12th session of the Salt Processing Plant Advisory Body was held in the Administrative Building of joint-stock company "Bajo Sekulić" on July 23, 2018. At the session, the members of the Advisory Body accepted the proposal of the usage of Đerane pumping plant for pumping seawater into the Port Milena canal. Council members have determined that the water supply system of Đerane from the Ulcinj Salt Processing Plant will regulate the water regime necessary for maintaining the biodiversity of the sensitive ecosystem. The necessity for pumping seawater into the Port Milena is, as it has been determined at the session, of great importance for the citizens of Ulcinj, as well as for the undisturbed development of the tourist season in this tourist destination.
At the session, the council members also discussed the activities that were done in the past period: repairmen of observation posts, installing the mobilier, arranging the bicycle rental house, fixing the damaged pavement in front of the Salt Processing Plant Administrative building and other activities realized in accordance with the Solana Work Program.
Montenegrin experts point out that Port Milena is one of the symbols of Ulcinj, and with adequate protection, can again become the largest fish hatchery in the Mediterranean and a high-quality tourist attraction.
