MonteAqua – CITES and the EU Zoos Directive

On 9 October 2018, I participated as MonteAqua Project Manager in a workshop dedicated to CITES and the EU Zoos Directive, held at the Institute of Marine Biology in Kotor, Montenegro.

I delivered two presentations: “Project MonteAqua: Goals and Activities” and “Center for Adriatic Biodiversity Conservation.” These contributions introduced the project framework and explained how the planned centre would connect public engagement, scientific research and the protection of marine organisms.

My presentation outlined two complementary components: Aquarium Boka, planned as Montenegro’s first public marine aquarium, and a facility for the care of injured and endangered marine organisms. The aquarium would introduce visitors to characteristic Adriatic and Mediterranean species while supporting research and conservation activities. The care facility was envisaged to accommodate organisms requiring shelter, including specimens confiscated by customs authorities.

Photo: Dr Radoje Laušević presented the planned biodiversity conservation centre and Aquarium Boka.

Vladimir Pavićević presented Montenegro’s experience with CITES—the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Lidija Vukčević addressed customs implementation and highlighted the need for scientific support in identifying protected species.

The afternoon session explored the role of aquariums in conservation. Dr Valter Kožul shared experience from Dubrovnik Aquarium, Dr Vladica Simić presented the Aquarium Boka concept, and Dr Mirko Đurović addressed its construction.

For my work on MonteAqua, the workshop brought the planned centre into direct dialogue with regulatory authorities and aquarium practitioners. It provided a setting to consider its development alongside the institutional cooperation needed for responsible species management.

MonteAqua was implemented through cooperation between the Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, and the University of Kragujevac, with support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Let’s make progress together.