MonteAqua – Closing Event and Presentation of Aquarium Boka

On 17 December 2020, I presented the results of MonteAqua during the project’s closing event, hosted by the Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro. Held as a virtual meeting, the event introduced Aquarium Boka to the public and reviewed the work behind its establishment.

As MonteAqua Project Manager, my presentation brought together the project’s achievements since implementation began in November 2017. These included capacity-building workshops, the AdriBioPro2019 international conference, and a series of white papers and studies supporting the management and protection of Adriatic marine resources.

The central result was the establishment of the Adriatic Biodiversity Conservation Center “Aquarium Boka”, incorporating Montenegro’s first public marine aquarium and a rescue centre for sea turtles and other endangered marine animals. The project reported mobilising €1.17 million for the centre’s development, with support from Norwegian and Montenegrin institutions.

Presenting these results marked an important point in my project management assignment: bringing together the physical infrastructure, knowledge-exchange activities and partnerships developed through MonteAqua.

Photo: Dr Radoje Laušević presenting MonteAqua’s results as Project Manager.

The closing programme opened with a project documentary and contributions from the University of Montenegro, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, national authorities and project partners. Professor Vladica Simić reflected on cooperation with the University of Kragujevac, while Predrag Jelušić presented support for the open-air exhibition connected to the aquarium.

Following my presentation, Dr Mirko Đurović guided participants through a virtual tour of Aquarium Boka, introducing its spaces and its intended role in education and marine conservation.

Photo: A view of Aquarium Boka during the virtual presentation led by Dr Mirko Đurović.

Representatives of Dubrovnik Aquarium, Aquarium Pula, Cala Gonone Aquarium and Panaque also contributed, discussing technical cooperation and future partnerships. Their participation demonstrated the professional network supporting the aquarium’s development and continued work.

At the time of the event, public visits were expected to begin in 2021. The closing meeting therefore marked the completion of MonteAqua and the transition towards using its principal result for research, education and biodiversity conservation.

For me, it brought together three years of project work around a lasting institutional resource: a place where visitors could discover Adriatic marine life and researchers and practitioners could continue working for its protection.

Let’s make progress together.