March 8, 2019 - Before joining the European Union, it is necessary that Montenegro prepares a register of small coastal fishing. To protect the traditional way of fishing, we need to collect data as a base on negotiations with Europe. It is thus possible to seek the protection of the habits which are historically, geographically and culturally belonging to the people of the coastal area of Montenegro.
Fishing is one of the first man's crafts, and during history, the fish was caught with hands, nets, hooks, hooves, harps and trolls. Fishers in Boka Bay still use traditional tools.
And to preserve the centuries-old tradition of fishing and becoming a part of the European family, it is necessary that there is evidence that for decades this is the case in Montenegro.
"We asked for certain tools to be recognised, as we believe that their use carries a cultural and traditional dimension without which we must not stay," said Aleksandar Joksimovic from the Institute of Marine Biology.
Apart from the tools, it is essential that we have documented all the data: the volume of fishing, the boat, the net, all this should be protected in negotiations with the EU.
"It is the great opportunity not only for the development of fisheries but also for tourism, the preservation of local communities and the preservation of cultural heritage," said Slavica Pavlovic from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Institute of Marine Biology obtained the task of being a link between the fishermen and the administration.
"Our task is to present, as a statistic, in cooperation with fishermen through the interviews of scientific research, catch measurement, and description of the methods of fishing," said Joksimovic.
In September last year, Montenegro signed a Declaration on Implementation of the Small Coastal Fishing Plan for the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Eighteen States Parties exchange experiences, and yesterday in Podgorica, representatives of the Mediterranean Fisheries Commission discussed how fishers get involved in the decision-making process.
When we officially become part of Europe, every outing of fishers on the sea, as well as catching fish, will record the information system, which will further regulate this area. The aim is to give the small coastal fishing more significant importance because it makes more than 80 per cent of the total fishing fleet both in the Mediterranean and in Montenegro.
Source: RTCG, A. Jovancevic
