December 2, 2018 - Directorate of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has opened the Fisheries Monitoring Center, this Government's Office said.
Directorate of Fisheries realized the reconstruction and equipping of the premises within the framework of the project implemented by the Ministry, the Kingdom of Norway and the Ulcinj Municipality - "Sustainable development of the marine and coastal ecosystem through protection and cultivation of the marine fauna." The value of the project for equipping the premises is around 60,000 euros.
Through the previous two IPA Pre-accession Projects (EUR 1.2 million), fishermen's vessels received electronic equipment to connect to the satellite, and the Fishery Center has established a connection and a developed application that enables 24-hour monitoring of fishing boats at sea.
The Fisheries Monitoring Center officially opened the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Milutin Simović, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway Arne Sanes Bjornstad and Ulcinj Municipal President Ljoro Nrekić.
The establishment of the Fisheries Monitoring Center has more functions for further development of the fisheries sector in Montenegro and sustainable management of sea resources, Simović said. Ultimately, the project is dedicated to fishers, above all to make them safer on the sea in the difficult and responsible jobs they are doing. "The project will also provide sustainable management of sensitive fish resources. The Fisheries Monitoring Center should provide records and prevent any unauthorized actions at sea, primarily illegal fishing," said Simovic.
He assessed that particular value was the establishment of the Fisheries Monitoring Center in its upgrading, which will enable 24-hour monitoring and control of fishing boats in Skadar Lake. The equipment for this part of the projected Government will procure through the MIDAS 2 project.
Through the same project, fishermen's ports will open in Ulcinj, Bar, and Herceg Novi convinced the Deputy Prime Minister.
"Fishermen need fishing ports and the state's obligation to meet their needs," said Deputy Prime Minister.
It is certain that the first landing site, across the coast, will soon be open, which is of paramount importance for the work of fishers, as well as the monitoring of fishing and control of the safety and quality of fish and seafood.
Of the EUR 10 million invested through MIDAS 2 for the fisheries sector, the ambition is to direct the fishermen directly to five million euros to continue with the upgrade of the fleet.
"Therefore, please keep our partnership, dialogue between the fishermen and the Ministry, and the local communities, to improve this partnership and to be grateful to our EU partners, the European Commission, which is actively investing in this sector as well as bilateral partners such as is in a concrete project, the Government of Norway - Simovic said. He pointed to the importance of active involvement and scientific institutions, primarily the Institute of Marine Biology, which has a long tradition and excellent human potential.
We are not ready for Montenegro to be collateral damage as a result of the overshoot of the resources of other countries, is presented in intensive communication with the European Commission within the Mediterranean Fisheries Commission," Simović added.
"Montenegro is entitled to the draft of bluefish from 40 to 2,500 tons. I think that our partners have expressed this just about the relationship, and there is an additional obligation for us not to make the mistakes made by other Mediterranean countries, to keep resources, to use them sustainably and to suppress illegal activities," Simovic said.
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway Arne Sanes Bjornstad is pleased that the Norwegian experience has helped Montenegro to protect the fish stock and the environment. "Montenegrin marine resources have great potential, but you have to manage these resources sustainably" - Ambassador Bjornstad said. He thanked the Government of Montenegro and the Ulcinj Municipality for good cooperation.
"The Ulcinj Municipality President Ljoro Nrekić said the project related to the sustainable development of the marine and coastal ecosystem began in 2015 with the aim of combating illegal fishing, especially the use of explosive devices. The project got full meaning and approaches us to the standards of developed countries," Nrekic said.
