Completion of Monitoring for a Section of the Bojana River Flow
Waste accumulation along the Bojana River banks, Photo: Foto IBMK
Researchers from the Institute of Marine Biology at the University of Montenegro (IBMK) carried out an in-depth analysis of plastic waste along the Bojana River as part of the TETHYS4ADRION initiative.
The IBMK team conducted this field survey from July 4 to 20, utilizing a local fishing vessel to navigate 20 kilometers of the Bojana River, from its mouth to an area close to the Albanian border.
“To gather the most accurate data, we employed three methods: visual observation of floating waste and the shoreline from a boat, identification of illegal dumps in the river’s floodplain, and drone footage. Initial findings indicated minimal floating plastics and no waste on the riverbank itself. However, in some quieter areas, larger collections of waste trapped in vegetation were observed,” the Institute reported, noting that several illegal dumps, primarily of construction debris, were found in the floodplain surrounding the riverbed.
IBMK stressed that despite its length of only 41 kilometers, the Bojana River holds a unique status among the Balkans’ rivers.
“It originates from Lake Skadar in Montenegro and flows into the Adriatic Sea, partially serving as a natural boundary between Montenegro and Albania. Due to its remarkable natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural importance, the Bojana was chosen as one of five pilot rivers in the TETHYS4ADRION project,” IBMK concluded.
The TETHYS4ADRION project, valued at nearly 1.7 million euros, commenced in September 2024 and will span three years, focusing on enhancing cross-border collaboration among regional countries to mitigate plastic pollution in rivers feeding into the Adriatic and Ionian Sea basins. It includes partners from scientific organizations, cities, and universities across Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.
The primary goal of the TETHYS4ADRION project is to explore the role and contribution of rivers to plastic pollution in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and to develop methods and strategies for addressing this pollution.
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