A Cooperation Agreement has been signed between the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro and the Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro (JPNPCG) aimed at enhancing protective measures and research activities. The agreement was formalized by Marinela Đuretić, Director of JPNPCG, and Milan Gazdić, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, as announced by the National Parks of Montenegro.

Đuretić emphasized the significance of presenting a Suzuki outboard motor to staff at the Skadar Lake National Park during the fishing ban and the campaign “Be Responsible – Report Poaching.” This purchase was made in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Acquiring a Suzuki outboard motor will facilitate more effective and thorough field monitoring by the supervisors at Skadar Lake National Park, as well as support the scientific and research initiatives of JPNPCG and the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro,” JPNPCG stated.

“We believe that the implementation of this engine will advance our ability to oversee the area more effectively, aimed at curtailing illegal activities that threaten the park’s nature and biodiversity,” Đuretić articulated.

She also highlighted the critical need to bolster this service with material and technical resources, particularly as they encounter various challenges in the field on a daily basis.

“Recently, we have experienced assaults on our supervisors while they were carrying out their responsibilities to prevent illegal fishing. These distressing incidents serve as a stark reminder to the state and society at large of the necessary strong response from all authorities to protect those who advocate for the preservation of our natural resources for future generations, ensuring that offenders are duly punished,” Đuretić remarked.

This agreement marks a tangible stride toward achieving these objectives, incorporating financial backing from both institutions, each contributing 4,500 euros for the purchase of an outboard motor. This will enable better accessibility to remote areas of the lake, thereby significantly enhancing oversight and facilitating scientific research activities in the region, according to a statement from JPNPCG.

The national parks also seized this opportunity to underscore the value of inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding and preserving protected territories in Montenegro.

In this context, Gazdić accentuated the synergy with JPNPCG and drew attention to the challenges that protected zones encounter.

“Among the most pressing issues in national parks is the bark beetle infestation, and together we are striving to find solutions and derive the best insights to combat it in the future,” Gazdić expressed.

“We are jointly tackling poaching and illegal activities on Lake Skadar. One of our primary motives to support NPCG in this endeavor is their noteworthy progress over the years. Their personnel engage in efforts that require considerable dedication and risk, and this support from the Agency aims to bolster their work,” emphasized Gazdić.

He also mentioned that the collaboration with JPNPCG in the battle against poaching supports the endeavors of the eco-ambassador of the Environmental Protection Agency and head of the Skadar Lake NP Protection Service, Vuk Saičić, as per JPNPCG.

“Looking forward, we will continue our partnership with NPCG to endorse activities that safeguard our values, recognizing that protected areas are among our most cherished assets in Montenegro, necessitating collaborative efforts to protect our parks. It is often an insurmountable challenge when tasks are undertaken independently, as occurs frequently in both the Agency and JPNPCG,” Gazdić noted.

Gazdić urged that support for National Parks should emanate from all institutions within the system to “collectively advocate for the preservation of this invaluable asset in Montenegro.”

According to data from Skadar Lake National Park, there were 14 reports filed against 28 individuals for illegal fishing in March, resulting in the temporary seizure of vessels, outboard motors, and a significant quantity of equipment utilized by poachers.

“The fishing ban remains in effect until May 15, making the use of an outboard motor a crucial asset for our staff during field operations to deter illegal activities,” JPNPCG announced.

The national parks have appealed to responsible citizens to report any unlawful actions and activities observed in national parks, as well as to abstain from purchasing fish during the fishing ban, as such actions indirectly support poaching.

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