Acta Adriatica, Vol. 65 No. 1, 2024.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.32582/aa.65.1.4
Combining official fisheries monitoring and citizen science data to create the first chondrichthyan checklist of Montenegro
Ilija Ćetković
; Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, Kotor, Montenegro
*
Fabrizio Serena
; National Research Council, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy
Adi Barash
; Sharks in Israel, NGO for the Conservation of Sharks and Rays, Kibbutz Amir, Israel
Danilo Mrdak
; Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
Ioannis Giovos
; iSea, Environmental Organization for the Preservation of the Aquatic Ecosystems, Thessaloniki, Greece
Zdravko Ikica
; Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, Kotor, Montenegro
Nikola Đorđević
; Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, Kotor, Montenegro
Ana Pešić
; Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, Kotor, Montenegro
Milica Divanović
; Directorate for Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Podgorica, Montenegro
Dragana Milošević
; Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
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) as well 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.
Keywords
Adriatic Sea; Mediterranean Sea; MECO project; sharks; elasmobranchs; opportunistic data
Hrčak ID:
314752
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2024.
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