A Climate for Change

Human Development Report - Croatia 2008 The Fishing and Mariculture Industries^151

9.1. Introduction

As a country with a large coastline, thousands of is-
lands and a historical association with the sea, Croatia
has highly-developed fishing and mariculture indus-
tries that are important to the country’s identity as
well as its economy. Fishing involves catching fish and
other sea organisms that are not cultivated. Maricul-
ture involves the cultivation of marine organisms for
food and other products in an enclosed section of the
sea, or in tanks and ponds filled with seawater.

Climate change and increasing temperatures may
have severe impacts on this sector in the near future
that will continue to challenge the industries. These
impacts will be felt in a number of ways. Changes in
the sea temperature may make some fish and mari-
culture products that are “farmed” more susceptible to
disease and make the water too warm for them to sur-
vive. Other, non-farmed fish may be affected by new
species that invade the Adriatic. Finally, the ecological
make-up of the sea may change, leading to opportuni-
ties for new commercially viable fish and necessitating
changes in the marketplace. This section will examine
the importance of both the fishing and mariculture
industries to Croatia’s economy and people; identify
potential threats and opportunities created by climate
change; and make recommendations for addressing
climate change.

9.2. The fishing/ mariculture

sector in Croatia

Croatia has a long history of both fishing and mari-
culture and a coastline that is suitable for developing
a modern industry. The fish-processing industry has
been a part of the economy on the Croatian coast and
its islands for more than 130 years. Both industries
are under pressure today to adapt to EU legislation
at all levels. The war (1991-1995) and the unsuccess-
ful privatisation of the sector and export barriers, led
to the collapse of most pelagic fish-canning factories
(those that swim in the water and not on the bottom
such as sardinesI and anchoviesII).^1 This collapse led to

the demise of pelagic fishing. Mariculture enterprises

faced similar problems. Shellfish producers particu-

larly suffered as exports to the EU were banned, due

to difficulties in establishing ecological and sanitary-

hygienic standards in shellfish production.^2

The fishery and mariculture sector in Croatia accounts for

a relatively small portion of the national GVA.III The ab-

solute value of the fisheries sector is continuing to grow

over time, while its share in total GVA is decreasing.

While the fishing sector accounts for a rather small

share of GDP, it plays an important role in the socio-

economic status of a large number of people.^4 The

number of commercial fishermen seems to be relative-

ly constant. Currently, 70% of fishing, farming and pro-

cessing activities take place on islands, where income

sources are limited, making this activity important for

development in economically vulnerable areas. At the

regional level, mariculture is an important industry

in Zadar and Dubrovnik counties. This is reflected in

regional strategies and, more importantly, in spatial

plans. In some regions, fisheries and particularly fish

farming is being strongly linked with the develop-

ment of rural tourism. Fish also represent a source of

I Sardina pilchardus

II Engraulis encrasicolus

III Gross Value Added (GVA) can serve as an estimate of Gross Do-

mestic Product (GDP). GVA = GDP – the taxes on the product +

the subsidies for the product.

Figure 9-1: A fishing boat off the coast.

Source: Ivan Bura

While the fishing

sector accounts

for a rather

small share of

GDP, it plays an

important role

in the socio-

economic status

of a large number

of people