The inland fisheries of Yugoslavia are of a considerable importance to the economy of the country, are useful in providing protein food especially in areas where marine fish are not imported in quantity, and have an important recreational value. They have large capability for expansion and their further development should be promoted.
The commercial fisheries for wild stocks in open waters appear to be rather static. The reasons for this should be determined and necessary action taken to preserve and if possible enhance them - not only for the sake of the natural resource but in order to protect present investment.
The sport fishery, which also needs to be preserved in some areas, appears capable of much greater development and represents a distinct economic asset which is not as yet sufficiently recognized. It deserves greater promotion.
Pond fish culture for warm-water fishes, primarily carp, can obviously be expanded tremendously by building new ponds as is planned. However, there may be danger in a rapid increase in production unless there is a ready market for the fish and proper facilities for transport, storage, distribution and sale are available. It appears advisable to determine the timing of such development, and the aid of an economist is indicated. Furthermore, even though there is now room for expanding pond areas, in the long run the number of suitable sites is finite. Therefore, one should concentrate on work which will increase the yield per unit area in existing (as well as in potential) areas. Methods for increasing yield are quite varied (see p. 7). They not only involve such biological means as increasing the basic productivity of the pond or improving feeding practices so as to achieve greater growth but may involve measures such as changing the size of the fish to be marketed and spreading out the season of harvest - now principally towards the end of the year. In such cases the advice of economists/technologists (as well as biologists/fish culturists) may again be required since such changes also involve problems of transport, storage, marketing, social preferences, etc.
By and large, however, the techniques by which one accomplishes the actual increase in production will be achieved through research. And it is here, with respect to research, that one must speak most critically of the present situation in Yugoslavia - as it applies both to pond fish culture and to wild stocks. In fact, it was of marked interest to the writer - and is probably of high significance - that at almost every fishery enterprise visited he found that the need for more effective research was specified as a major necessity for further development. The country has some very capable and devoted scientists. There are also a considerable number of institutes engaged in research - ranging from the rather academic to the immediate or practical. It is likewise true that some very good work has been and is being performed. Nevertheless it is felt that the results may not be commensurate with the degree of effort expended by the individual workers and are below the potential which they could achieve.
Why is this so? Again, the writer feels it presumptious on short acquaintanceship to attempt a complete analysis. It is felt, however, that the following factors apply:
There may be too many small “institutes”, under-manned and without sufficient equipment, materials, transport, or library facilities to work effectively. In today's world of specialization, advanced instrumentation and techniques and teamwork, it is generally better to have a few fairly large institutes well staffed by specialists and well enough equipped so that they can be effective. It is also of considerable importance that there be enough scientists under the same roof to promote a flow of ideas and generate new ones. The same funds concentrated on a few such institutes can often be more effectively used than when dissipated over many1
The funds for some of the institutes come from several sources, and the supply does not appear to be constant or always secure.
There appears to be considerable overlapping of research. 2
Coordination seems at present to rest primarily upon a good cooperative spirit rather than on actual direction, and this is perhaps not a sufficient basis in the long run.
There is need for more specialized experts and training - especially in modern techniques.
There needs perhaps to be a better link between research and management - especially with respect to wild stocks.
It is therefore the author's recommendation that his very preliminary appraisal be followed by a mission composed of a team of international experts of varying disciplines, to be joined with a team of Yugoslav experts to work together on the problems either as defined in this brief survey or better as they find them when they begin to study matters in depth.
The disciplines or knowledge required within the team of international experts are as follows:
Marketing, economics, consumer preferences, consumer education;
Carp and other forms of warm-water fish culture (genetic selection, weed control, nutrition, etc.);
Salmonid culture (selection of sites, hatchery and pond construction, brood stock selection, feeds and feeding, disease control, transport, etc.);
Fishery biology and management of wild stocks:
warm-water;
Reservoir management, management and river basin control for fisheries;
Water pollution research and control;
Technology (storage, icing, transport, etc.)3
Such a listing is made because if the team is to be a small one, each man may have to be familiar with several of the disciplines listed here, and it will depend to a large extent upon the men available as to how they are designated.
The writer would suggest a five-man team composed of:
1 Economist-marketing expert
1 Carp culture expert
1 Trout culture expert (culture/management)
2 Biologists/managers (streams, lakes, reservoirs, water pollution, etc.)
A period of two or three months for the mission is indicated (i.e., about 12 man-months). If possible the full team should be sent to Yugoslavia at the same time. It should be led by one of the senior members.
The terms of reference for each man obviously differ and would have to depend upon the individual selected. A major term of reference for the team would be to: (i) examine carefully the present system of research with respect to inland fisheries; (ii) determine its relationship to actual fishery management policies and practices; and (iii) recommend changes if necessary.
It is possible that the findings of the combined Yugoslav-international study team might point the way for further international action.
1 Obviously one must have regional or field stations in addition to the larger central institutes.
3 This is probably the least needed.
