The Municipality of Pljevlja has plans to generate revenue by leasing the fishpond located in the Vodice city park. Previously, this space was utilized at no cost by the Lipljen Sports Fishing Club (SRK) to support a hatchery.

A proposal to lease the property in the city park will be presented to council members during the upcoming local parliament session, with a set minimum monthly rent of 828.55 euros.

This minimum rent was established following assessments and opinions from construction specialists.

The lease includes the fishpond building, which spans 82 square meters, alongside a yard covering 500 square meters and a meadow area of 336 square meters; all registered as property of Montenegro, while the Municipality of Pljevlja holds the right of disposal.

The properties will be leased for a period of up to five years, with an option for extension, specifically for the operation of a fish pond.

SRK Lipljen expressed to “Vijesti” that the proposed rental price for the fishpond in Vodice is excessively high and was not derived from discussions with the affected parties.

They are concerned that the elevated cost will deter any potential interested parties from responding to the advertisement.

“This decision does not support the unique and innovative initiative for producing indigenous brown trout in Montenegro, which has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture as a project of national significance. Instead of fostering entrepreneurship, it risks undermining it, particularly considering the progress we have made from the ruins. Rather than the Municipality collaborating with SRK Lipljen to develop a compelling narrative and enhance capacities for Montenegro, given the opportunity to relocate Ćehotina for greater breeding capacities, this hatchery could contribute to fry production,” stated SRK Lipljen.

The club anticipates that the local parliament representatives will oppose the proposed lease agreement.

They mentioned their expenditures of approximately 80 euros to revitalize the hatchery facility in Breznica over the past four years, with employee salaries accumulating to around 000 euros.

Back in 2019, under the administration led by then-Mayor Mirko Đačić, the pond was handed over to SRK Lipljen without compensation for establishing a hatchery.

Last year, the local parliament reversed the decision made by Đačić’s administration. Although this decision was reached several months prior, it only took effect at the request of current Mayor Daria Vraneš late last year, in order to avoid harming SRK Lipljen, which has been engaged in the production of indigenous brown trout within the hatchery.

The reasoning behind the annulment indicated it was “to achieve an overriding public interest for the local community.”

During the process, Vraneš asserted that the previous contract signed by Đačić was unlawful.

According to Lipljen Fishing Village, they have revived the hatchery on the river after decades of inactivity to produce indigenous salmonid fish species for the purpose of restocking the rivers within the Black Sea basin.

The hatchery underwent two years of reconstruction work, involving extensive adaptations to the facility, including both indoor and outdoor pools, reconstruction of hydroinfrastructure and electrical systems, installation of polyester linings in fry pools, creation of egg tubs, renovation of deteriorating outdoor pools, and overall beautification of the hatchery’s exterior.

All necessary documentation was prepared, water permits obtained, and a license to conduct aquaculture for the production of juvenile indigenous salmonids was secured in 2021.

“Collaborators on the hatchery revitalization project include the Faculty of Science and Mathematics from Podgorica, the Ministry of Agriculture – Directorate for Fisheries, as well as friends from Germany, led by Sadik Vrajoli, who trained staff in the process of producing indigenous salmonids under controlled conditions. Project partners and co-financers include the Municipality of Pljevlja (from 2019 to 2024), the Pljevlja Coal Mine, the Norwegian Embassy, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro,” SRK Lipljen remarked, recalling that back in 2019, councilors unanimously agreed to transfer the fish pond to them.

They assert that their efforts are primarily aimed at repaying the debt to the Ćehotina River, with the goal of improving fish stocks and promoting fishing tourism in the Pljevlja municipality.

SRK Lipljen contends that the hatchery on the Breznica River is a vital state project of public importance, as it is the sole facility in Montenegro producing indigenous brown trout fry from the Black Sea basin, intended mainly for restocking the rivers of Pljevlja and others in the basin (such as Tara, Piva, and Lim).

Some Lipljen members have previously accused management officials of misappropriating the hatchery for personal gain. Management has denied these claims and urged anyone with concerns regarding the hatchery’s operations to file a lawsuit and report to the inspectorate.

“Certain individuals believe there are untold fortunes being made here, oblivious to the hard work and dedication required to make all of this a reality.”

They also referenced that during the 1960s, the hatchery in Vodice was overseen by a fishing society.

“This is substantiated by an article in Pljevlja Novi from 1962, indicating that the Šuplja Stijena Lead and Zinc Mine allocated one million dinars to the Fishermen’s Association for repairs to the fishpond, which had suffered damage from a torrent that destroyed over 115,000 fish fry in the Vodice lakes at the end of June of that year.”

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