The fishing ban in the Skadar Lake National Park (NP) ended on May 15, and during the previous two months the Park's Protection Service carried out 224 patrols from land and water in order to prevent all types of illegal activities, announced the Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro. Above (JPNPCG).
"During the fishing ban, the PR campaign 'Stop poaching' was implemented with the aim of raising public awareness of the importance of preserving the fish stock and combating poaching. We highlight good cooperation with the media, as well as educational activities in cooperation with schools. In order to inform school-aged children about the importance fishing ban and protection of the fish stock, educators of NP Skadarsko jezero organized a series of interactive and thematic workshops attended by students from local schools," the announcement states.
The JPNPCG added that all competent entities were engaged in order to protect the fish stock, and that the National Park Protection Service achieved significant results when it comes to the physical protection of the water area.
"The fishing ban began on March 15, and during this period we submitted 31 reports against unknown persons to the Legal Service of the JPNPCG, two reports against unknown persons and one report against one person to the Basic State Prosecutor's Office. Also, two vessels, two outboard motors, two converters, four probes, three batteries, seven bags, 14 pairs with over 10 thousand hooks, 288 nets, over 200 kilograms of carp and other equipment.Since the fishing ban is over, and the fishing season on the lake is starting, we invite all commercial fishermen to mark their nets in accordance with the regulations, because all the others will be removed," said the director of NP Skadarsko jezero Belma Šestović.
The JPNPCG said that during the period of the fishing ban, together with the Skadar Lake NP management, they organized a Socio-Economic Council with representatives of local communities, state bodies and institutions that link their activities to the area of this park.
"A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between JPNPCG and the Regional Water Supply of the Montenegrin Coast, which will improve cooperation in the area of protection and preservation of the springs of 'Bolje Sestre' and Lake Skadar," the announcement reads.
Šestović said that they would especially emphasize the beginning of cooperation with the Organization for International Security and Cooperation (OSCE), with whose representatives we discussed projects aimed at strengthening capacities, various trainings, cooperation with the local community, all with the aim of fighting eco-crime.
"JPNPCG in the coming period, in cooperation with competent subjects, the NGO sector and environmentally responsible individuals, will continue with overall activities aimed at protecting, preserving and promoting this protected area. We believe that with joint activities and efforts, we will contribute to the preservation of the value and beauty of Lake Skadar," she said. Šestović.
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