Mikijelj: Protected marine areas are of strategic importance for the coast

Montenegro today has an enviable network of protected marine areas, and I am proud that we, as a team of the Public Company for Maritime Zone Management of Montenegro, have achieved concrete results, said the Director of the Public Company for Maritime Zone Management, Mladen Mikijelj.

He cited as concrete results that there are five protected parks and natural monuments, 20 protected beaches, and the Tivatska Solila nature reserve.

"These areas are of key importance for the preservation of the Adriatic – with the largest community of golden corals at shallow depths and the endemic Posidonia, known as the 'lungs of the Mediterranean'. Their protection is our priority. The situation on the coast today is much better than five years ago, because there was too much carelessness then. However, there is room for improvement and we have an obligation to further improve the situation on the ground. Our controllers are in the field every day, preventing illegal activities and educating users and locals about the importance of nature protection," Mikijelj emphasized and added:

"My colleagues, and you recently heard the coordinator for nature and environmental protection of the Public Enterprise, Nemanja Malovrazić, constantly emphasize the importance of this topic for us. I would especially emphasize that nature protection is a topic that is among our priorities. Without this work, we cannot meet the standards of Chapter 27 on the European path - that is our obligation. Just as we have overcome major challenges - by restoring the Kamenari-Lepetani ferry line, resolving the Vektra Boka beaches and the Budva Port, I am sure that we will also resolve the issue of illegal construction and fishing in protected zones. That is our task," Mikijelj concluded.