4.1 The fishery in natural open waters
4.11 Commercial fishery
There have long been traditional fisheries in the open waters of Yugoslavia both on a subsistence and commercial basis, and there is a considerable investment in boats, gear, trucks, storage, processing, distribution centers, etc. However, while the production of fish farms has been rising (see section 4.2) the catch from open waters has remained static. During the period of 1938 to 1964 the catch from open waters only varied between 4,492 tons (1938) and 6,340 tons (1957).
“Overfishing”, destruction of spawning and nursery areas through draining of overflow areas, channelization and other forms of river regulation, and increasing water pollution including siltation are among the reasons offered for the static or possibly declining state.
Just as there are various theories as to cause, there are various suggestions as to how to overcome the causes and increase production. Among these are: (i) greater exploitation through increased fishing effort or use of more efficient gear; (ii) a more selective type of exploitation by, say, concentration on different species or sizes; (iii) restoration of waters through habitat improvement; (iv) changes in water quality through control of water pollution; (v) increased stocking, etc.
It is the author's surmise that the least useful of any such measures is increased stocking and that the protection of fish habitat and water quality offer more basic approaches to the problem.
The 1964–70 program for development of fisheries indicates a target for production of 8,800 tons from open waters by 1970; i.e., about 3,000 tons more than the 1964 catch (see Pažur, 1966, p. 142).
The author had no opportunity to discuss this aim during his visit and does not know how its accomplishment is planned to be achieved - especially in view of the already “static” nature of the fishery - unless perhaps increased production from new or expanded waters such as reservoirs is contemplated. He suggests that any attempts merely to increase exploitation of present water areas take careful note of the parallel need to determine its relationship to the dynamics of the fish populations and their relationships to their changing habitats. Advice from experts on the biological management of a fishery and on environmental control would be useful.
4.12 Sport fisheries
Yugoslavia obviously has a great potential in its sport fisheries. These range from simple recreational fisheries for the minor game or “coarse” fishes to the more sophisticated and expensive sport fisheries for brown trout and hucho on restricted waters. Sport fishing in Yugoslavia is especially attractive because of the variety, uniqueness of some of the species, and relative abundance of good-sized fish available to the angler and - in many cases - the beauty of the countryside which attracts the tourist. In addition to its recreational value - which will rise as urbanization increases - sport fishing has a large economic potential. 1
Because of these two values it is important that Yugoslavia make a thorough investigation of its waters and its stocks of sport fish as the basis for their scientific management. It is the author's impression that much of the stream and lake management in Yugoslavia is still based largely on traditional, empirical and sometimes rather local practices, and that they could be improved. Requirements for stocking, habitat improvement and fishery regulations need to be evaluated on a modern basis. Scientific management is and will be even more important in future in order to preserve and expand the fisheries, and outside aid should be useful.
Similarly, economic evaluation is needed in order to: (i) help determine the size of the budget or the effort to be put forth in managing the resource; (ii) justify preservation of the resources in the face of conflicting demands for land- and water-use; (iii) compare the relative values of the recreational and commercial fisheries; and (iv) determine the value of angling to the country's economy.
4.2 Cultivated stocks (pond fish culture)
4.21 Carp culture
This well-developed sector of the industry has a large potential for further development, and there are positive plans for increased production of carp and other pond-cultured fish. For example, under the 1964–70 program for the development of inland fisheries, the annual production from carp farms would be raised (from the 1962 production of 7,026 tons) to 34,500 tons by 1970 (Pažur, loc cit.). 2
There are two ways in which to realize such an increase:
by construction of new farms and expansion of present ones;
by an increase in the production per unit area of present farms.
With respect to the first means, Yugoslavia is fortunate in still possessing sufficient land and water which is not only suitable for new pond farms but whose use is apparently not in conflict with other uses, as for example, agriculture. It is believed by some that the area of ponds could be increased to at least 30,000 ha. Even at the present average country-wide yield (about 1,000 kg per ha) this would result in a production of 30,000 tons per annum. However, even though there is now room available for expansion, in the end, the land and water areas suitable and available for carp ponds are finite. Therefore, in order to continue to raise production one must also concentrate on the second method, that is to increase the yield per unit area.
2 Other estimates range at least as high as 40,000 tons per annum.
There are many ways in which the yield per hectare or production per unit of man-effort or dinar expended could be further improved. 1 Some of these are listed below:
Use of better feeds and feeding practices to increase the conversion rate;
Use of superior strains of fish, e.g., ones which are faster growing, disease resistent, earlier maturing, or have different spawning times;
Employment of induced breeding or artificial fertilization to increase the supply of stocking material;
Higher stocking densities;
Improved pond fertilization, weed control, etc.;
Greater employment of mixed fish culture (including the addition of exotic herbivores);
Increased mechanization, improvement in transport, other labor-saving devices, etc.
The practical Yugoslav fish farmers and their unifying organization, “Kornatexport”, are certainly cognizant of these methods and show great willingness to adopt new techniques as they are originated in Yugoslavia or brought in from other countries. They have already done very well in this respect. The average yield increased from 342 kg per ha in 1938 to 738 kg per ha in 1960, jumping to 987 kg per ha in 1961, and continuing at this order of magnitude (960 kg per ha per annum in 1964). 2 Furthermore, judging from both the results in other countries as well as on some farms or experimental units in Yugoslavia - an almost certain potential has in no way been achieved.
Nevertheless, there is a limit to adaptability of known methods, and production may generally have reached or may be approaching a plateau. Basically, this may be because the industry appears to be handicapped by lack of sufficient or coordinated research to improve old and develop new methods at the rate that is really desirable. For example, it is only recently that truly basic work started on carp nutrition in Yugoslavia, and almost nothing has been done on real genetic selection of stocks. Trained men are needed for both fields - fertile ones that promise great returns. The author returns to this question later but wishes to emphasize now that aid in developing better research with respect to carp culture is positively necessary for advancement.
In addition to the biological (and to a lesser extent technological) problems of production one must consider the next steps - marketing and consumption.
If production is to be increased - no matter how - there must be an expanded market. That is, there must either be greater fish consumption by the present consumers or new market areas must be developed, or new consumers attracted. Any or all of these moves may involve not only increased but better or even markedly changed means of distribution involving transport, storage and marketing, consumer education, etc. 1
Among people the author met during his mission, there appeared to be two schools of thought: one which believes that one should first increase production and that the market will follow; another which believes that the market must be created before new farms are built or old ones expanded or production otherwise increased. The truth lies perhaps somewhere between these two extremes, but all such development involves careful investment of funds and labor and requires administrative decisions as to the values to be obtained and the timing of execution. It seems well indicated, therefore, that if one is thinking of more than doubling or tripling the present pond area and thereby increasing production by at least this amount, the supplemental advice of an economist with international experience might be helpful.
4.22 Trout culture
There is a comparatively small development of commercial trout culture at present. However, trout is a high-priced (luxury) food, and export as well as domestic markets exist. The 1964–70 plan aims at a production of 1,500 tons of trout (as against 96 tons in 1962) by 1970.
A number of the same problems facing the carp industry exist here; again it is felt that aid of an economist should be secured to determine whether or to what extent trout farms should be developed, especially with respect to the export market. The advisability or possibilities of selling frozen rather than live trout might also be explored.
It is also felt that a thorough survey of potential sites for trout farm development should be made at an early date. The requirements for trout culture are more rigorous than those for warm-water fish, as water of high quality and above all abundant flow and suitably cool temperatures are imperative. The sites may be severely limited in future as the country develops, and it would be well to determine the potential sites now, reserving them - if this appears economically sound - against the time that they may be needed.
Aside from adequate siting, success in pond trout production is largely dependent upon the types and quality of food available (the industry depends almost entirely on artificial feeding) and disease control.
Although there is evidence that Yugoslav trout farms have profited from work in other countries it is obvious that much more modern methods could be used and that the modern techniques (particularly those developed in North America in recent years) would increase production. Advice from a skilled technician in the field of trout culture should be useful.
4.3 The fishery in reservoirs
The author had no opportunity to see any reservoir lakes or areas slated for river basin development. The consensus of the fisheries people to whom he talked was that the development of fisheries in Yugoslav reservoirs was a new field - a special problem of which they had little knowledge. In addition to the faunal and floral components, the morphometry of the reservoirs, and their hydrological regime and water quality (including that of their influents and effluents) will to a large extent determine the type and quality of the fishery. Therefore, early attention by fishery workers to the problem involved, consultation and perhaps compromises with the engineering authorities and users of water other than for fisheries can result in greatly augmented aquatic resources - which may be used either for food or sport. In either case there would be economic gain.
It should be noted that two points are involved:
preservation of existing fisheries especially those in which the presence of barriers might affect migratory species or other changes (such as those in flow below dams) might diminish the fishery;
opportunities to augment production from the river fishery because of increased water area and changed environment.
It is strongly recommended, therefore, that advice be sought at an early stage from fishery experts experienced in river basin and reservoir planning, research and management.
