YUGOSLAVIA

1. INTRODUCTION

The history of Yugoslavian aquaculture goes back to at least the fourteenth century in eastern European carp culture and 100 years ago semi-intensive aquaculture was introduced into Croatia. Some of the existing fish farms are nearly 100 years old. However, intensive and semi-intensive culture of marine species has only about a ten year old history with the first hatcheries being established in the present decade.

Freshwater resources are extensive, however, and the present law limits the conversion of land to aquaculture to lands that cannot be used for agricultural crops such as flood prone areas and swamplands. Pollution is beginning to be a problem and there are sporadic droughts of sufficient severity to cause water quality to decline.

2. CURRENT STATE OF AQUACULTURE

In order to increase the supply of food, marine aquatic farming is in the process of development. Mussel and oyster farming, a long tradition on the Yugoslav coast, has reecently been revitalized. Fish farming for sea bass and sea bream using floating cages has also been encouraged. There is intensive freshwater pond farming in the northern part of Yugoslavia and catches from some freshwater lakes and rivers. Presently there are about 20 ha of rainbow trout fams.

2.1 Shellfish culture

The culture of flat oysters and mussels is well developed, particularly in the Bays of Kotor, Ston, Power, Limski Kanal and elsewhere on a smaller scale.

Stone is still the best centre of production on the eastern Adriatic coast. Various methods are used for the capture of spat and for the culture of flat oysters and mussels. This type of culture is carried out by cooperatives and private farmers.

2.2 Sea bream/sea bass culture

The principal operating units in Yugoslavia are: Cenmar which has its head office in Zadar, a hatchery at Nin and a sea cages farm at Lamljana Bay on the island of Ugliam and R.O. Mirna with its head office at Rovinj and sea unit in the Limski Kanal.

Cenmar started production in February 1984. The projected capacity of the hatchery is 1.5 million sea bass (D. labrax) fry and 0.5 million sea bream (S. aurata). in the first trial production 1.1 million sea bass fry were produced (INFOFISH marketing digest No. 5/85). Target production is 300 t/year mainly for export (Italy).

MIRNA is involved in a polyculture programme. Limski Kanal currently produces annually 1 million oysters and 120 t of mussels (FI:DP/YUG/011). Trials are also conducted with cage culture of sea bass and sea bream. Imported fry (Italy, France) averaging 1 g, take approximately 18 months to reach 300 gr (FI:DP/YUG/011). Mirna will shortly begin the construction of a hatchery at the mouth of the fjord.

Current objective is an annual production of 150 t of fish. Long-term plans for aquaculture include development of at least two other bays on the Istrian peninsula: the estuary of the RASA river and Budava Bay. The Mirna company owns a fishing fleet which lands sardine into Rovinj. It has a fish meal plant capable of producing 1 000 t/year and the capacity to make up its own pelleted food (FI:DP/YUG/011).

2.3 Trout and salmon in brackish water

The encouraging results obtained with rainbow trout in cages in brackish water by scientists of “Ridjer Boskovic” Institute (Zagreb and Sibenik) have been taken up by a number of local companies.

Actually, rainbow trout smolts are produced in two farms: Gacka fish farm of the Zagrebbanka company and from a new trout farm near Sinj.

Production occurred in Skradin and in Zaton in five farms:

Actually coho salmon are imported at eyed egg stage principally from USA.

In June 1987 about 55 t of coho salmon of 800–1 000 gr have been obtained in two farms (a private farm at Skradin and Sibenka company in Zaton). (Report on visit to Yugoslavia and Rome).

2.4 Carp culture (Inland fisheries of Europe - draft)

Although “carp farms” represent the commonest form of aquaculture in Yugoslavia, it should be understood that perhaps ten percent of the fish reared in these farms are other species such as tench, catfish, pike-perch and pike. By far the principal fish cultivated is the common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

Carp culture, the best developed, sector of the industry, has had a constant expansion. The production in 1978 was 27 322 t (Yugoslavia, EIFAC 1979). The area devoted to carp ponds in 1978 was 22 850 ha. A good deal of carp production in Yugoslavia is now from artificial spawning using hypophysation.

Higher stocking densities, intensive feeding, genetic selection, disease control and improved pond management including polyculture, are other factors which have improved warm water aquaculture in Yugoslavia.

2.5 Trout culture

Trout culture which is devoted mainly to the use of rainbow trout, has developed more slowly. Pond area was 26 ha in 1978 and production was 3 500 t. Trout farmers have relied on artificial feeding for some years and have gradually installed modern methods. Since trout is a luxury food, export markets are important (Inland fisheries of Europe - draft).

3. PROGRAMME

Opportunities exist for expansion of shellfish and fish farming, the Adriatic coast being ideal for those activities having largely unpolluted waters. Several new stations with hatchery have been built, new places for farming identified and adequate technology developed. Favourable results in this segment are expected and present production targets for 1988 are 10 000 t. There is no clearly defined policy and strategy for fishery development in Yugoslavia. Prime emphasis is placed on increasing landings and expanding domestic consumption. The mariculture already receives the necessary encouragement and, provided positive results can be maintained, continued support may be expected in the near future (FID/CP/YUG. Rev. 1).

4. PRODUCTION

The following data were produced during the fifteenth FAO Regional Conference for Europe on the Development of Aquaculture in Europe held in Istanbul in 1986.

Aquaculture production in Yugoslavia (1985)

(These data are in contrast with figures shown in Chapter 2).

5. MARKETING

Of the total domestic marine fish production, 70–80% is absorbed by the processing industry. Moreover, 7 000–15 000 t of fresh and frozen fish a year are imported for canning plants in order to supplement the insufficient domestic supply. Fish processing is presently carried out in nine modern plants, equipped with refrigerated storage and fish reduction facilities. Total yearly production of canning industry fluctuated between 35 000–42 000 t of products (1978–1984). About 40% is exported.

Domestic marine production allocated to the domestic market does not exceed 10 000 t. This quantity is supplemented by imports of frozen fish which fluctuated between 12 000–24 000 t in the last decade. Average annual consumption is about 3 kg per caput.

Processed fish products, largely exported, have a considerable role in foreign exchange earnings. However, Yugoslavia is obliged to import quantities of frozen fish for processing and to supply local market demand, together with very considerable quantities of fish meal (FID/CP/YUG Rev.1).

6. RESEARCH

Several institutions in Yugoslavia are involved in research in various scientific disciplines related to the Adriatic Sea and fisheries activities. Particular attention is given to the assessment of resources, fish abundance, distribution and changes. Technical-tenchological problems, as well as economics of fisheries, are also well covered. The main investigation centre in the Republic of Croatia is the Institute for Oceanography and Fishery in Split, while other stations/institutions are located in Rovinj, Dubrovnik and Zagreb. Other republics, Slovenia (Portoroz) and Montenegro (Kotor) possess their own research entities. Research on food-technological problems is conducted by the Centre for Fish and Mediterranean Industry in Zadar. All research centres possess well equipped laboratories and qualified research staff.

Academic education with specialization on marine and freshwater fisheries and emphasizing different topics is available at various universities in Yugoslavia (FID/CP/YUG/Rev. 1).

REFERENCES

CENMAR - a large marine hatchery. Infofish Marketing Digest No. 5/85.

Report on visit to Yugoslavia and Rome. October 1987. YUG/83/011. Managing the biological resources of Adriatic sea.

FI:DP/YUG/011. Field document. November 1984. Status and prospects for brackish and sea water cage culture of finfish in Yugoslavia with special emphasis on salmonid species.

FID/CP/YUG. Rev. 1 Fishery country profile: Yugoslavia

Inland fisheries of Europe: Yugoslavia. Draft by Wm. A. Dill, May 1985.

MEDRAP. TR/87/02. Mission Report. The development of Malistone Bay. Yugoslavia. February 1987.

ERC/86/4. Development of Aquaculture in Europe.