Das Potential von Tauchklubs bei der Verringerung von Abfall im Meer, der jetzige Zustand und die Perspektive in Kroatien

Morski otpad je veliki globalni ekološki problem današnjice uglavnom kao posljedica sve veće upotrebe plastike i neodgovarajućeg gospodarenja otpadom na kopnu. Prilikom dospijevanja u more većina otpada potone na dno u priobalnim područjima gdje se može godinama nakupljati. Otpad s morskog dna u plitkom priobalju može se jednostavno uklanjati organiziranjem ronilačkih ekoloških akcija. Ronilački klubovi imaju veliki potencijal u takvim akcijama čime se mogu ukloniti značajne količine otpada, međutim one se provode bez usklađene metodologije i koordinacije. Na taj način ostaju nam nepoznati podaci o područjima, količinama i sastavu prikupljenog otpada, koji inače imaju važnost za razvoj strategija za smanjivanje morskog otpada. Razvoj učinkovitih mjera za smanjivanje morskog otpada nužan za očuvanje biološke i gospodarske kvalitete morskog i priobalnog okoliša. U ovom je radu predstavljen potencijal ronilačkih akcija čišćenja plitkog podmorja u smanjivanju količina morskog otpada u Hrvatskoj. Posebno je istaknuta potreba za suradnjom ronilačkih klubova i znanstvenih institucija u cilju dobivanja što kvalitetnijih podataka o prikupljenom morskom otpadu, te važnosti provođenja usklađenog načina prikupljanja podataka čime se može značajno doprinijeti razvijanju spoznaja o sadašnjoj situaciji i trendovima te donošenju odgovarajućih preporuka i zakonodavnih mjera zaštite. Ukoliko se ova inicijativa bude sustavno organizirala i provodila mogla bi djelovati kao značajan program i mjera za smanjivanje količina morskog otpada.Marine waste is a huge environmental problem in the world today, mostly as a consequence of a growing use of plastics and inadequate waste management on the land. When it reaches the sea, most waste sinks to the bottom of coastal areas where it may accumulate for years. Waste from the sea bottom in shallow coastal waters can be easily removed by organising diving environmental activities. Diving clubs have a great potential in such activities to remove significant waste quantities. However, these activities cannot be carried out without a harmonised methodology and coordination, in which case we remain without data on the areas, quantities and compostion of the collected waste that play a significant role in the development of marine waste reduction strategies. A development of efficient measures for marine waste reduction is necessary for preserving biological and economic quality of marine and coastal environments. The paper presents a potential of diving activities in the cleanup of shallow coastal waters and reduction of marine waste quantities in Croatia. A need for cooperation between diving clubs and scientific institutions is particularly emphasized as a manner to obtain high quality data on the collected marine waste, and the importance of a harmonised manner of data collection that could significantly contribute to new insights into the current situation and trends, including adoption of adequate recommendations and legal protection measures. If this initiative is systemically organised and implemented, it could act as an importan programme and a meaasure for reducing the quantity of marine waste.Abfall im Meer ist ein großes globales ökologisches Problem der Gegenwart, der größtenteils als Auswirkung der immer größeren Nutzung von Kunststoffen und einer unangemessenen Müllentsorgung auf dem Land entstanden ist. Beim Gelangen des Abfalls ins Meer sinkt es auf den Grund an der Küste, wo es sich jahrelang ansammelt. Der Abfall vom Meeresgrund kann an seichten Küsten mithilfe von organisierten ökologischen Tauchaktionen einfach entfernt werden. Tauchklubs haben ein großes Potential bei solchen Aktionen, bei denen bedeutende Mengen von Abfall entfernt werden können, doch sie werden ohne abgestimmte Methodologie und Koordination durchgeführt. So bleiben uns Informationen/Daten über Gebiete, Mengen und Zusammensetzungen des gesammelten Abfalls unbekannt, die eigentlich wichtig zur Entwicklung von Strategien zur Verminderung von Abfall im Meer sind. Die Entwicklung wirksamer Methoden zur Verminderung von Abfall im Meer ist notwendig für den Schutz der biologischen und wirtschaftlichen Qualität der Umwelt im Meer und an der Küste. In dieser Arbeit ist das Potential von Tauchaktionen zur Säuberung der seichten Unterwassergebiete bei der Minderung der Quantität von Abfall im Meer in Kroatien vorgestellt. Besonders hervorgehoben ist die Notwendigkeit der Zusammenarbeit zwischen Tauchklubs und wissenschaftlichen Institutionen, mit dem Ziel umso hochwertiger Daten über den gesammelten Abfall zu erhalten sowie die Wichtigkeit einer angepassten Art der Datensammlung. Dabei können bedeutende Erkentnisse über die heutige Situation und Trends erhalten werden sowie die entsprechenden Empfehlungen und rechtlichen Schutzmittel erlassen werden. Falls diese Initiative systematisch organisiert und durchgeführt wird, könnte sie als bedeutsames Programm und Mitter zur Verminderung von Abfall am Meeresgrund wirken

Das Potential von Tauchklubs bei der Verringerung von Abfall im Meer, der jetzige Zustand und die Perspektive in Kroatien

Morski otpad je veliki globalni ekološki problem današnjice uglavnom kao posljedica sve veće upotrebe plastike i neodgovarajućeg gospodarenja otpadom na kopnu. Prilikom dospijevanja u more većina otpada potone na dno u priobalnim područjima gdje se može godinama nakupljati. Otpad s morskog dna u plitkom priobalju može se jednostavno uklanjati organiziranjem ronilačkih ekoloških akcija. Ronilački klubovi imaju veliki potencijal u takvim akcijama čime se mogu ukloniti značajne količine otpada, međutim one se provode bez usklađene metodologije i koordinacije. Na taj način ostaju nam nepoznati podaci o područjima, količinama i sastavu prikupljenog otpada, koji inače imaju važnost za razvoj strategija za smanjivanje morskog otpada. Razvoj učinkovitih mjera za smanjivanje morskog otpada nužan za očuvanje biološke i gospodarske kvalitete morskog i priobalnog okoliša. U ovom je radu predstavljen potencijal ronilačkih akcija čišćenja plitkog podmorja u smanjivanju količina morskog otpada u Hrvatskoj. Posebno je istaknuta potreba za suradnjom ronilačkih klubova i znanstvenih institucija u cilju dobivanja što kvalitetnijih podataka o prikupljenom morskom otpadu, te važnosti provođenja usklađenog načina prikupljanja podataka čime se može značajno doprinijeti razvijanju spoznaja o sadašnjoj situaciji i trendovima te donošenju odgovarajućih preporuka i zakonodavnih mjera zaštite. Ukoliko se ova inicijativa bude sustavno organizirala i provodila mogla bi djelovati kao značajan program i mjera za smanjivanje količina morskog otpada.Marine waste is a huge environmental problem in the world today, mostly as a consequence of a growing use of plastics and inadequate waste management on the land. When it reaches the sea, most waste sinks to the bottom of coastal areas where it may accumulate for years. Waste from the sea bottom in shallow coastal waters can be easily removed by organising diving environmental activities. Diving clubs have a great potential in such activities to remove significant waste quantities. However, these activities cannot be carried out without a harmonised methodology and coordination, in which case we remain without data on the areas, quantities and compostion of the collected waste that play a significant role in the development of marine waste reduction strategies. A development of efficient measures for marine waste reduction is necessary for preserving biological and economic quality of marine and coastal environments. The paper presents a potential of diving activities in the cleanup of shallow coastal waters and reduction of marine waste quantities in Croatia. A need for cooperation between diving clubs and scientific institutions is particularly emphasized as a manner to obtain high quality data on the collected marine waste, and the importance of a harmonised manner of data collection that could significantly contribute to new insights into the current situation and trends, including adoption of adequate recommendations and legal protection measures. If this initiative is systemically organised and implemented, it could act as an importan programme and a meaasure for reducing the quantity of marine waste.Abfall im Meer ist ein großes globales ökologisches Problem der Gegenwart, der größtenteils als Auswirkung der immer größeren Nutzung von Kunststoffen und einer unangemessenen Müllentsorgung auf dem Land entstanden ist. Beim Gelangen des Abfalls ins Meer sinkt es auf den Grund an der Küste, wo es sich jahrelang ansammelt. Der Abfall vom Meeresgrund kann an seichten Küsten mithilfe von organisierten ökologischen Tauchaktionen einfach entfernt werden. Tauchklubs haben ein großes Potential bei solchen Aktionen, bei denen bedeutende Mengen von Abfall entfernt werden können, doch sie werden ohne abgestimmte Methodologie und Koordination durchgeführt. So bleiben uns Informationen/Daten über Gebiete, Mengen und Zusammensetzungen des gesammelten Abfalls unbekannt, die eigentlich wichtig zur Entwicklung von Strategien zur Verminderung von Abfall im Meer sind. Die Entwicklung wirksamer Methoden zur Verminderung von Abfall im Meer ist notwendig für den Schutz der biologischen und wirtschaftlichen Qualität der Umwelt im Meer und an der Küste. In dieser Arbeit ist das Potential von Tauchaktionen zur Säuberung der seichten Unterwassergebiete bei der Minderung der Quantität von Abfall im Meer in Kroatien vorgestellt. Besonders hervorgehoben ist die Notwendigkeit der Zusammenarbeit zwischen Tauchklubs und wissenschaftlichen Institutionen, mit dem Ziel umso hochwertiger Daten über den gesammelten Abfall zu erhalten sowie die Wichtigkeit einer angepassten Art der Datensammlung. Dabei können bedeutende Erkentnisse über die heutige Situation und Trends erhalten werden sowie die entsprechenden Empfehlungen und rechtlichen Schutzmittel erlassen werden. Falls diese Initiative systematisch organisiert und durchgeführt wird, könnte sie als bedeutsames Programm und Mitter zur Verminderung von Abfall am Meeresgrund wirken

RASPODJELA I SASTAV POPULACIJE KUNJKE Arca noae U PAŠMANSKOM KANALU

Noah’s Ark shell Arca noae is an edible bivalve that is commercially exploited in the eastern Adriatic and is harvested primarily by SCUBA divers. There are no reliable data catch statistics data for this species nor there any data on distribution and population biology of exploited stocks, all of which are crucial for establishing sustainable level of exploitation. The objective of this research was to determine distribution and population structure of A. noae in one of the harvesting area — Pašman channel. Study was conducted in May 2008 using SCUBA visual census method at six transects. Although there are no previous data on distribution of A. noae in this area, low population density, length frequency distribution with domination of individuals smaller than 5 cm and sex ratio analysis all indicate that present level of harvesting is unsustainable.Kunjka (Arca noae) jestivi je školjkaš koji se komercijalno sakuplja u istočnom dijelu Jadrana, primarno metodom autonomnog ronjenja. Nema pouzdanih statističkih podataka o sakupljanju ove vrste kao ni podataka o raspodjeli i sastavu populacija iskorištavanih »stokova«, što je nužno za uspostavu održive razine eksploatacije. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio određivanje raspodjele i sastava populacije vrste A. noae u jednom od područja sakupljanja — Pašmanskom kanalu. Istraživanje je provedeno u svibnju 2008. godine metodom vizualnog cenzusa na šest profila autonomnog ronjenja. Iako nema prethodnih podataka o raspodjeli vrste A. noae na ovom području, niska gustoća naseljenosti, histogram dužinskih frekvencija na kojem prevladavaju jedinke manje od 5 cm i omjer spolova upućuju na to da je postojeća razina eksploatacije neodrživa

A HEALTHY APPROACH TO HEALTHY FOOD FROM THE HEALTHY SEA: EVALUATION OF FISH ORIGINATING FROM THE PROTECTED AREA

Park prirode „Lastovsko otočje“ je 2010. godine shodno Pravilniku o unutarnjem redu usvojio posebni ribolovni režim. U ovom radu bit će prezentirano stanje godinu dana nakon uspostave ovakvog režima u usporedbi s nultim stanjem 2010. godine. Ribolov je obavljan trostrukim mrežama stajačicama, a analizirano je ukupno obilje, biomasa i raznolikost riba te struktura zajednica. Iako još uvijek nisu zamijećena statistički značajna poboljšanja prosječnog bogatstva riba, ukupnog obilja i biomase, ipak se nazire pozitivna promjena. Naime, u dvije trenutno zaštićene zone zamijećeno je za 14% veće bogatstvo vrsta, 9% više obilje i 19% viša ukupna biomasa, dok se u izlovljavanim zonama vidi pad od 7% bogatstva vrsta, 12% niže obilje i za 24% niža biomasa. Kako promjena nije značajna i može biti rezultat slučajnosti (odražavajući prirodnu, prostornu i vremensku varijabilnost) nužno je analizirati ulov u 2012. godini radi točnijeg određivanja trenda. Ulov po jedinici ribolovnog napora (kg/33m mreže) je 1,6 ± 0,1 kg / mreži što spada u dobre lovine. Ipak, biološke karakteristike ciljanih vrsta još uvijek ne upućuju na oporavak. Zaključno, objašnjenje za zatečeno stanje 18 mjeseci nakon uspostave posebnog režima treba tražiti u činjenici da još nije prošlo dovoljno vremena da bi se vidjele značajne promjene i da se u zaštićenim zonama ipak odvijaju određene ribolovne aktivnosti. Svakako, potrebno je uključiti dodatni napor, u smislu ljudskog i financijskog potencijala, u narednom razdoblju ukoliko se želi postići vidljiva učinkovitost zaštite unutar ovog zaštićenog područja. Dodatno, potrebno je uspostaviti valoriziranje i brandiranje ribe ulovljene u ovom području kako bi daljnje akcije zaštite bile vidljivije i razumljivije široj zajednici, a isplativije lokalnom stanovništvu. Promoviranje zdravog proizvoda iz zaštićenog područja na hrvatskim i evropskim ribarnicama je svakako jedan od načina postizanja tog cilja.The Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park (NP) adopted a special fishing protocol in conformity with its Code of Conduct. The present study analyses the littoral fisheries resources of the NP and compares them to baseline data from 2010 to evaluate possible changes produced by the proclaimed fisheries management. Littoral fisheries resources were sampled by experimental trammel net. Analyses were performed on total fish abundance and biomass, diversity indices and multivariate abundance and biomass structure of caught assemblages. Although no significant difference in the catches was found regarding average species richness, total abundance and biomass, there appears to be a weak indication of change. Namely, an inclining trend was observed at protected zones (14% higher species richness, 9% higher total abundance and 19% higher total biomass), while fishing zones showed a declining trend (7% lower species richness, 12% lower total abundance and 24% lower total biomass). Since the variation in average species richness, total abundance and biomass is not significant and could therefore be coincidental (reflecting natural spatial and temporal variability), it is necessary to analyse the 2012 catch data in order to establish whether the observed trends continued and whether they could be attributed to differing levels of protection. Average catch per unit effort - CPUE (unit effort being a 33 m long trammel net) is x ± SE = 1,6 ± 0,1 kg / net, which is rated as a \u27very good\u27 catch. In this respect the situation is quite favourable in the study area compared to many other sites in the Adriatic. However, biometry characteristics of commercially highly valuable and thus most targeted species show that average landing sizes are more than half the size of those attainable. Overall, plausible explanation for the observed limited effects of protection for the recovery of fisheries resources to date is that not enough time has passed to allow for significant changes. Another contributing factor reducing the recovery potential is that protected zones are not completely closed to all forms of fishing. Certainly, it is necessary to include additional effort, in terms of human and/or financial resources, in the future management actions if we want to achieve visible conservation effectiveness within this protected area. Further, it is necessary to establish the valuation and branding of fish caught in this protected area in order to make further action more visible and comprehensible to the wider community, as well as cost-effective for local inhabitants. Promoting a healthy product from a protected area on the Croatian and European fish markets is certainly one way of achieving this goal

Hrvatski priobalni ribolov i stanje njegovih priobalnih resursa na pragu ulaska u EU: učinkovitost konvencionalnog gospodarenja i buduća perspektiva

Artisanal fisheries in Croatia and throughout the Mediterranean coastal region have a long tradition. In recent times the booming growth of human populations along Mediterranean coasts has led to harvesting of its marine resources in almost insupportable quantities, thus placing the research of this topic in a complex context. At the same time, fisheries management throughout the Mediterranean region has remained conventional in its nature, implying that it is almost only based on gear specific management provisions. The current Croatian legislative framework and legislative changes of artisanal fisheries regulation in the last 15 years, as well as how these changes have impacted on the state of coastal fish resources, particularly target species condition, are discussed. The conclusion is that if we want to improve further the state of the resources a more comprehensive set of management measures incorporating closed areas and a new approach actively involving fishers in the management process should be adopted. Finally, guidelines for future management in terms of the monitoring and data collection framework (DCF) proposed by the EU are demonstrated.Priobalni ribolov u Hrvatskoj i cijelom priobalnom dijelu Sredozemlja ima dugu tradiciju. Zadnjih godina, ubrzani rast ljudske populacije uzduž obale Sredozemlja dovelo je iskorištavanje morskih resursa do gotovo iscrpljujućih količina što istraživanja ove problematike postavlja u složeni kontekst. Istovremeno, gospodarenje ribarstvom u Sredozemlju ostalo je konvencionalno u svojoj naravi što znači da je gotovo potpuno temeljeno na propisivanju specifičnih karakteristika ribolovnih alata. U radu se iznosi i raspravlja o trenutnom okviru hrvatskog zakonodavstva i zakonskim promjenama u reguliranju priobalnog ribolova u zadnjih 15 godina, te kako su te promjene utjecale na stanje priobalnih resursa, posebice na stanje ciljanih vrsta. Zaključak je da ako želimo poboljšati stanje resursa, moramo uvesti cijeli niz jasnih gospodarskih mjera koje će uključivati zone zabranjenog ribolova, ali i novi pristup koji će aktivno uključivati ribare u procese gospodarenja. Na kraju su iznesene osnovne smjernice budućeg gospodarenja u smislu praćenja i prikupljanja podataka kako to predlaže i traži EU za sve zemlje članice

Rasprostranjenost imposeksa kod vrste Hexaplex trunculus u Kaštelanskom zaljevu, Jadransko more

Imposex, a pseudo-hermaphroditic condition characterized by the development of male sexual characteristics in female prosobranch gastropods, is used as a bioindicator of pollution by tributyltin (TBT) -based antifoulants. The incidence and the intensity of imposex, evaluated from the vas deferens sequence index (VDSI) and the female penis length (FPL), were investigated in Hexaplex trunculus populations from seven locations in Kaštela Bay (Adriatic Sea, Croatia). Analysis of 131 females revealed the absolute prevalence of imposex at all investigated locations. Furthermore, most of the females showed signs of advanced imposex development (VDSI=4.4±0.8, range=2-5). Female penis homologues were found to be well developed (max=20 mm) with mean values ranging from 5.2-12.6 mm. Significant differences were detected regarding both the VDSI (H=36.24, p<0.001) and the FPL (F=7.08, p<0.001) between the locations. The results presented in the study confirm the widespread incidence of imposex and can provide reference values for future monitoring programs.Imposeks, pseudohermafroditizam karakteriziran pojavom muških spolnih obilježja u ženki prednjoškržnih puževa, upotrebljava se kao bionidikator zagađenja tributil-kositrom (TBT), sastojkom protuobraštajnih boja. Za procjenu pojave i intenziteta imposeksa korištene su vrijednosti indeksa stupnja vas deferensa (VDS I) i dužine penisa ženki (FPL ) dobivene analizom primjeraka vrste Hexaplex trunculus prikupljenih sa sedam postaja u Kaštelanskom zaljevu. Na istraživanim postajama analizom 131 ženke (visina kućice=66,3±7,5 mm) utvrđena je potpuna zahvaćenost imposeksom. Štoviše, većina zahvaćenih ženki bila je u uznapredovalom stadiju imposeksa (VDS I=4,4±0,8; raspon vrijednosti=2-5). Penisi su bili dobro razvijeni kod ženki (max=20 mm) sa srednjim vrijednostima od 5,2 do 12,6 mm. Utvrđene su statistički značajne razlike u VDS I (H=36,24, p<0,001) i FPL (F=7,08, p<0,001) između postaja. Rezultati istraživanja potvrđuju široku rasprostranjenost imposeksa i mogu se koristiti kao referentne vrijednosti za daljnje praćenje

Reproductive cycle of a non-native oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in the Adriatic Sea

The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was introduced for the aquaculture purposes in many different parts of the world. However, the species has never been officially introduced for commercial farming in the Croatian part of the Adriatic Sea. Interestingly, in the 1970s, the Pacific oyster has been reported in the natural habitats of the Lim Bay, in northern Adriatic Sea. Although the species was recorded there, there is a lack of knowledge about its biology and ecology in this region, including a reproductive cycle. Information on the reproductive biology of non-indigenous species in new areas is crucial for prediction of their future survival and possible spread in invaded habitats. In this study, we provide the first data on the reproductive biology of the Pacific oyster in the Adriatic Sea, the northernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea. Quantitative and qualitative methods of gonad tissue analysis were conducted, and effects of environmental conditions on the gametogenesis were evaluated during two reproductive cycles. Our study confirmed that environmental conditions in the Lim Bay were favourable for the reproduction of the species. The Pacific oyster reproduced once per year and had a prolonged spawning period. Water temperature was the main factor affecting gonad development and oocyte size, while chlorophyll a concentration had an impact on the oocyte development in terms of their size.

ClimateFish: A Collaborative Database to Track the Abundance of Selected Coastal Fish Species as Candidate Indicators of Climate Change in the Mediterranean Sea

Under the effects of global warming, many animals and plants are undergoing rapid distribution shifts. These changes can be particularly rapid in marine fishes, and many species have responded markedly to recent increases in sea temperature. ClimateFish is an open-access database, which collates abundance data for 7 Mediterranean indigenous and 8 non-indigenous fishes, proposed as candidate indicators of climate change. These species have been selected by a network of Mediterranean scientists based on their wide distribution, responsiveness to temperature conditions and easy identification. Data are periodically collected according to a standard visual census protocol in four different depth layers. At present, the database collates data on a total number of 101'771 observed individuals belonging to the 15 target species. Counts were realized along 3142 transects carried out in 7 Mediterranean countries between 2009 and 2021. This database, associated with climate data, offers new opportunities to investigate spatiotemporal effects of climate change and to test the effectiveness of each selected indicator. Data are available at https://doi.org/10.17882/86784.The Mediterranean ClimateFish initiative was initially conceived by the international basin wide monitoring program CIESM Tropical Signals (funded by the Albert II of Monaco Foundation) and subsequently supported by the Interreg Med Programme (Projects: MPA-ADAPT, grant number 1MED15_3.2_M2_337 and MPA Engage, grant number 5MED18_3.2_M23_007), 85% co funded by the European Regional Development Fund