Croatia moves to cut sardine fishing days as Adriatic stocks hit historic low

**Croatia Plans to Reduce Sardine Fishing Days Amid Historic Low Adriatic Stocks**

ZAGREB — The Croatian government is preparing measures to significantly cut the number of days allocated for sardine fishing in the Adriatic Sea after a recent assessment indicated that sardine stocks have fallen to historic lows.

According to the report referenced by *Croatia Week*, the decline in sardine populations prompted authorities to consider stricter fishing limits in order to protect the species and support the long‑term sustainability of the fishery. The proposed reduction in fishing days is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Sea, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs to address the depletion of the Adriatic sardine stock.

No specific details on the extent of the cut, the timeline for implementation, or the exact figures of the stock assessment have been released. The government has indicated that any new regulations will be based on scientific advice and will aim to balance ecological concerns with the economic interests of the fishing community.

The move follows growing concerns across the region about overfishing and environmental changes affecting marine resources in the Adriatic. Stakeholders, including local fishermen’s associations, are expected to be consulted as the policy proposals are developed.

The article reporting the planned measures was first published on the online news outlet *Croatia Week*.

Article source: croatiaweek.com | Image credit: Croatia Week