Original scientific paper
The relationships between Croatia and the European Union in the fi eld of fi shing
Davorin Rudolf ml.
; Law Faculty, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Abstract
There has been overfi shing in the continental shelf of the Republic of Croatia. This was the major motif that prompted the Croatian legislator to proclaim the protected ecological-fi shing zone, i.e. the economic zone. Although the economic zone can only be proclaimed unilaterally (by law, declaration, etc.) the European commission criticized Croatia precisely because of unilaterality and has urged Croatia to a dialogue with its neighbors. What followed was the Decision by the Croatian Parliament by which the fi shermen from the European Union countries were exempted from the application of legal regime of the economic zone (the protected ecological-fi shing zone) until the agreement between the Republic of Croatia and the EU relating to partnership in the fi eld of fi shing has been signed. The Decision was made while Croatia was striving to become a candidate for membership in the EU. A similar appeal, to “a dialogue and coordination” was also sent to Croatia by Ministers’ Conference on sustainable development of the Mediterranean fi shing, held in Venice, under the determined infl uence of the European commission. The author believes that the EU in this way favors the interests of its members with strong fi shing fl eets more than the general interests and positions of the countries outside the EU. In the end the author recommends that Croatia insists on reliable and sustainable fi shing in its negotiations with the EU, which means that the quantities of catch will have to be reduced in the economic zone of the Republic of Croatia as well.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
35638
URI
Publication date:
12.4.2005.
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