The conference titled “Boka Kotorska as a Sustainable Nautical Destination” convened today in Tivat for the third consecutive year, bringing together representatives from the maritime industry, academia, maritime administration, and various stakeholders connected to marine activities.

This event was organized by the Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor at the University of Montenegro in collaboration with the Sailing Club “Delfin,” as part of the IV Wind Festival held in Tivat.

This year’s conference focused on “Cruisers in Boka Bay: Economy and Ecology,” featuring speakers such as Ljubo Radović, Executive Director of the Port of Kotor AD; Vladimir Jokić, Mayor of Kotor; Captain Goran Idrizović, Acting General Director of the Directorate for Maritime and Inland Navigation; Dr. Slavica Perović from the Institute of Marine Biology in Kotor; and Dr. Danilo Nikolić from the Faculty of Maritime Studies of the University of Montenegro.

Mayor Željko Komnenović welcomed the participants on behalf of the Municipality of Tivat, highlighting the significance of discussing their most valuable resource— the sea and coast. He noted that the conference deserves recognition as a key event of the Wind Festival due to its emphasis on bay preservation.

This year, the Municipality of Tivat reiterated its support for the Wind Festival, which explores themes such as sports sailing, protection of the Bay of Kotor, and local culture. Mayor Komnenović expressed the need for coastal municipalities to regain control over their maritime resources, stating that they face legislative constraints that hinder effective management. He mentioned ongoing efforts to establish designated anchorages in Tivat waters, noting the challenges due to a lack of higher authority guidelines. Additionally, he updated on plans for a communal marina in Seljanovo, currently moving through necessary procedures.

He also pointed out the concerning behavior regarding the fragile Gulf ecosystem, particularly related to the improper disposal of waste from vessels, emphasizing the importance of addressing these environmental and safety issues rigorously.

Mayor Komnenović mentioned an innovative partnership along with Luštica Development and EcoBoats, aimed at creating regular electric maritime transport between coastal destinations in the Bay of Tivat.

“The goal is a holistic connection among all coastal towns,” he added. “We must embrace simple, innovative solutions to allow the sea to bridge our communities, adapting new technologies while abandoning outdated methods. The sea and coast remain our greatest assets, and it is vital to protect these resources for future generations,” Komnenović concluded.

Jovan Šćekić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, emphasized the Wind Festival’s role in asserting Tivat and the Bay of Kotor’s significance in the sustainable nautical tourism landscape.

“We must balance tradition with innovation, protect our natural resources while promoting tourism, and align local communities with global trends,” Šćekić stated. He affirmed that Boka’s unique natural beauty, cultural heritage, and maritime traditions warrant its recognition as a jewel of Montenegro, and that responsible, sustainable development is essential to preserving it for future generations.

Organizers’ representative, Aleksandra Janičić from the “Delfin” Tivat Sailing Club, expressed her belief in sailing as a model of environmental responsibility.

“Sailing fosters ecology awareness as it navigates through natural environments. Collaborating with the Faculty of Maritime Affairs and the Institute of Marine Biology enables us to translate these principles into practical projects for upcoming generations, instilling respect for the marine ecosystem,” she noted, adding that “Delfin” and other local sailing clubs serve as vital maritime educators for youth, teaching them about coastal life and the importance of protecting our natural and cultural heritage.

Richard Godbois, an American businessman and founder of the “Richard & Frances Godbois Foundation,” shared insights about a new international scientific initiative at the conference.

“The transformative development I’ve witnessed in the Bay of Kotor over the past four years is astounding, albeit with risks to the fragile environment,” he indicated. “To address these, we are establishing a $25,000 research initiative at the University of California, Santa Barbara, focusing on the environmental impacts we observe in the Bay, with collaboration from the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Kotor.”

Tatijana Dlabač, Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Kotor, affirmed that forums like the “Boka Kotorska as a Sustainable Nautical Destination” conference illustrate the benefits of collaborative efforts.

“Let’s harness our collective ambition and the support from Mr. Godbois, linking with influential global institutions to safeguard our treasure for future generations. We aim to initiate the Smart Boka project in synergy with Herceg Novi. While we’ve launched a progressive maritime transport solution, we must further address pressing issues like road traffic, which impacted the timeliness of some officials this morning,” she emphasized.

Teodora Riga, President of the MedCruise Association, showcased this international organization representing 159 ports and numerous entities across the Mediterranean, the world’s second-largest cruise tourism market. She noted the dramatic growth in the cruise sector, which represents only 2.5% of the global tourism industry, highlighting the need for careful planning to balance this growth with environmental conservation.

“It is rare to witness collaboration aimed at a destination’s best interests. The Maritime Museum in Kotor, steeped in heritage, exemplifies this richness. MedCruise is a global association fostering dialogue among members, municipalities, and cruise operators to ensure balanced development that protects the local communities and prevents adverse consequences,” Riga explained.

Beatriz Bikman, representative for Ocean Race Europe, outlined the upcoming sailing race starting in Kiel, Germany, culminating in Boka Bay, Tivat. She emphasized not only the race’s promotional value but also its ecological mission of raising public awareness about preserving nature, particularly the sea and ocean.

News