Skadar Lake - Montenegro · Skadar/Shkodra Lake Ecosystem – EMA PLAN”. The focus of Study 1 was...

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Transcript of Skadar Lake - Montenegro · Skadar/Shkodra Lake Ecosystem – EMA PLAN”. The focus of Study 1 was...

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Analysis of synergies, gaps and complementarities on integrated environmental management at regional level

Skadar Lake - Montenegro

Study 1

Current management

Economic development Projects and initiatives in the region

Author

Marija Vugdelic

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Introduction

The Analysis of Synergies, Gaps and Complementarities on Integrated Environmental Management at Regional Level - Studies 1 and 2 have been prepared on the basis of the Terms of Reference (ToR) provided by NGO “Green Home” within the scope of the project “Performing the Integrated Environmental Management Plan at Local Level in the Skadar/Shkodra Lake Ecosystem – EMA PLAN”.

The focus of Study 1 was the environmental management and the economic development in Skadar Lake region. This Study provides an overview and analysis of the existing stakeholder groups relevant for the management and protection of Skadar Lake, as well as the potentials for economic development of the region based on sustainable use of natural resources. Study 1 also provides an overview of projects implemented in Skadar Lake region by various organisations in the past decade. The focus of Study 2 was the natural and anthropocentric values of the region. The study provides overview of the environmental characteristics of Skadar Lake region placed in the contexts of their potential sustainable use. Apart from this, Study 2 provides the legislative framework, current management of Skadar Lake National Park, bilateral framework agreements between Montenegro and Albania, and concludes with the SWOT analysis.

The methodology used for production of these studies consisted of desk research into existing plans, reports and other documents and interviews with selected stakeholders, and most conclusions and recommendations are based on expert opinion. As almost all previous studies have already noted, there is a general problem with data availability, consistency and accuracy. This is because research into some aspects of the Lake is outdated, information scattered among institutions and individuals, and there is a general discrepancy in methodologies used, which makes comparisons and pooling of information often problematic. This study has encountered the same issue, so it advises caution in the interpretation of information.

Based on the insight into existing documentation and available data, the emphasis was given on summarising all the information and putting it into a practical context, in order to identify gaps of information and knowledge and provide recommendations for future activities. Readers who are interested in more detailed information on any aspect of Skadar Lake will be referred to one of many studies that cover natural, cultural and social aspects of Skadar Lake region in more details.

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Contents: List of abbreviations______________________________________________________________________________4 1. Key stakeholders and their roles in Lake’s management, protection and use_______ 6 1.1. Government ____________________________________________________________________________________6

1.1.1. Central Government ________________________________________________________________ 6 1.1.2. Local Governments_________________________________________________________________10

1.2. Institutions responsible for nature protection ____________________________________________11 1.2.1. Environment Protection Agency – EPA___________________________________________11 1.2.2. Monitoring Institutions ___________________________________________________________ 13 1.2.3. Scientific Institutions______________________________________________________________ 13 1.2.4. National Park Management________________________________________________________15

1.3. Civil Society __________________________________________________________________________________ 15 1.3.1. Local Population_____________________________________________________________________ 15 1.3.2. Non-governmental Organisations__________________________________________________ 17 1.3.3. Media_________________________________________________________________________________ 17

1.4. Industries and Small Businesses____________________________________________________________18 1.5. International Organisations_________________________________________________________________20 1.6. Summary _____________________________________________________________________________________20 2. Current situation on the economic development_______________________________________22 2.1. Fishery________________________________________________________________________________________23 2.2. Tourism_______________________________________________________________________________________26 2.3. Farming_______________________________________________________________________________________28 3. Review of projects implemented in Skadar Lake region in the past decade_____33 3.1. Short overview_______________________________________________________________________________33 3.2. Projects on a trans-boundary level_________________________________________________________34 3.3. National-level projects_______________________________________________________________________53 3.4. Projects concerned primarily with Skadar Lake region___________________________________56

3.4.1. Cultural heritage – oriented projects_____________________________________________56 3.4.2. Economic development – oriented projects______________________________________58 3.4.3. Projects for technical support to National Park Skadar Lake___________________65

3.5. Summary on the implemented projects____________________________________________________66 4. References_____________________________________________________________________________________68

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List of Abbreviations AL – Albania BMZ - German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development CBC – Cross Border Cooperation CEED - Centre for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development CERAI - Centre for Rural Studies & International Agriculture CETR - Centre for Eco-Toxicological Research CSBL - Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity at Lakes Prespa, Ohrid and Shkodra/Skadar CSTI - Centre for Sustainable Tourism Initiatives CULTEMA - Cultural Value for Sustainable Territorial Governance and Marketing DASHI - Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative EEA - European Environment Agency EMA PLAN – project “Performing the Integrated Environmental Management Plan at Local Level in the Skadar/Shkodra Lake Ecosystem” EPA – Environment Protection Agency EU – European Union GEF – Global Environment Fund GIZ /GTZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit -German Organization for Technical Cooperation GPS – Global Positioning System IPA – Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance IPPC - Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control IRD – International Relief and Development ISSP - Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognoses ITA - International Technical Adviser KAP – Aluminium Plant LDPP - Local Development Pilot Project LEAP – Local Environmental Action Plan LSIEMP – Lake Skadar Integrated Ecosystem Management Project MARD - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Med PO – Mediterranean Programme Office MIDAS - project “Montenegro Institutional Development and Agriculture Strengthening” MONSTAT – Statistical Office of Montenegro MNE – Montenegro MSDT - the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism NGOs – Non-governmental organizations NHM – Natural History Museum

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NP – National Park NPSL – National Park Skadar Lake PAS - Protected Area System PA – Protected area PDO - Project Development Objective PENP – Public Enterprise “National Parks of Montenegro” PHM - Predictive Hydrological Model PRC - Permaculture Resource Centre REC - Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe REReP – Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme RHMI – Republic Hydro-Meteorological Institute SA - Social Assessments SAP – Strategic Action Plan SDC – Swiss Development and Cooperation SLC - Skadar/Shkodra Lake Commission SPSPNPSL – Spatial Purpose Spatial Plan for National Park Skadar Lake SS-LBA - Skadar-Shkoder Lake Basin Area SWOT – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats TDA - Trans-boundary Diagnostic Analysis TSLF – Trans-boundary Shkodra/ Skadar Lake Forum UNDP – United Nations Development Programme UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization USAID – United States Agency for International Development WWF – World Wildlife Fund

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1. Key stakeholders and their roles in the Lake’s management, protection and use

Public administration and institutions, civil sector and local population, business sector, academia and research institutions, and international organisations all have different responsibilities and play active roles in the management, protection and use of Skadar Lake National Park (NP). They can be divided into a couple of major stakeholder groups: government (national and local governments), national institutions related to nature protection (EPA, monitoring and scientific institutions), management authorities of the Lake (NPs of Montenegro and NPSL), civil society (local communities, NGOs, media), business sector (industries and small businesses) and international organisations.

1.1. Government Public administration in Montenegro is organised at two levels – central level i.e. national government with its Ministries and relevant institutions, and local level i.e. municipal authorities. 1.1.1. Central Government The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism (MSDT) - Its legal competence is related to the general environmental policies, thus including responsibilities for nature protection, biodiversity and protected areas management. Part of the Ministry that deals with environment consists of several Sectors:

- Sector for Environment - responsible for horizontal legislation and alignment of regulations; protection and management of different elements of the environment; pollution management; support to the National Council for Sustainable Development; - Sector for Waste Management and Communal Infrastructure Development; - Sector for International Cooperation and Climate Change; - Sector for Spatial Planning; - Sector for Tourism Development. This sector is, among other things, responsible for promotion of national parks and environmental values, and their use for tourism purposes. Under the auspices of this Ministry, Master Plan for Tourism Development in Montenegro was prepared in 2000. The Plan designates Skadar Lake as a tourism development zone, highlighting traditional villages, home-made products, sailing and hiking tours, and sports fishing as main tourist potentials of the region.

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This Ministry has a regulatory and coordinating role in the area of communal and housing issues, including waste and wastewater management, which are both highly relevant for the protection of Skadar Lake. At the same time, MSDT has a supervisory role for Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro (PENP), which is the management body for all national parks, as well as for institutions involved in monitoring the state of the environment, like EPA and RHMI. This Ministry is also responsible for overseeing and reporting on the implementation of international agreements and conventions that have been ratified and for ratifying new ones (the list of relevant international agreements and other legal acts is provided in section 2.1. of Study 2). Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) - Responsibilities of this Ministry include: management of water resources and their protection from pollution; management and protection of agricultural land; management and protection of forests; hunting and fishing.

There are four major areas where responsibilities of MARD are very important for Skadar Lake. Those are: a) management of natural resources, b) fishery, c) waters management (including exploitation of sand and gravel) and d) farming.

The MARD is partly responsible for the protected area management through its competencies in the management of natural resources such as forests, waters, fish stocks and wildlife. Its responsibilities overlap with those of the MSDT, especially in connection with control of collection and trade of wildlife species, fishing and hunting in protected areas (where these activities are allowed).

MARD responsibilities related to fisheries include preparation of legislation, fishery policies and plans of fishing areas where different types of fishing (commercial, sport fishing) are allowed. MARD also issues orders that temporarily or permanently prohibit fishing in certain water bodies or of certain species of fish. These measures are aimed at protecting rare and declining fish stocks. Skadar Lake waters are used both for commercial and sports/recreational fishing. Based on the decision of MARD, NPSL brings a Decision on the Modes and Conditions for Commercial Fishing on Skadar Lake (see section 2.1. on legislative framework in Study 2). However, proper fish stock assessment (or any other comprehensive data on fish resources at the Lake) has not been done for the past few decades, and there is a general lack of coordination between MARD and NPSL in regulating fisheries and enforcement of those regulations, which creates a serious gap in the

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management of fish resources of the Lake and presents one of the most pressing problems of this region. Management of water resources is yet another area where MARD has significant competencies in relation to the management of Skadar Lake NP (Law on Waters - Official Gazette 27/2007 and several bylaws). The Ministry performs following functions: prepares laws, policies and plans for the management of water resources; determines water protection measures; manages the use of water resources, including the issuance of consents and permits; maintains water information systems etc. Every intervention related to water sources requires a special permit from MARD. MARD is also competent authority for issuing concessions for exploitation of sand and gravel from watercourses. According to the Law on Waters, exploitation of sand and gravel can be carried out at the locations where exploitation leads to the maintenance or regulation of water courses in the form that does not jeopardise water courses, stability of the banks or natural equilibrium of water and coastal ecosystems. The Law further stipulates conditions/documents necessary for obtaining a concession. If the exploitation is planned within national parks, permission of the ministry in charge of nature protection is necessary. The concessionaire is obliged to keep a record of quantities of the exploited material and to inform the relevant authorities about it. MARD specifies detailed conditions which the concessionaire has to fulfil, including the content of the record to be kept and the level and manner of information sharing regarding the quantities. In the case when exploitation leads to changes in a watercourse or there is an indication that those changes might occur, or when there is degradation of water ecosystems, the exploitation has to be ceased. This decision is made by the same body in charge of issuing water concession. One such concession on sand/gravel exploitation is taking place within NPSL, at the mouth of Morača River (Bakine tigle, next to Vranjina Hill). Concession is given because it has been estimated that increased sedimentation would congest downstream parts of Morača River creating changes in natural water dynamics. This concession brings significant income to NPSL and is monitored by Park’s wardens. Another important prerogative of the MARD is a republic-wide supervision of the management and use of water resources. Given its legal competencies in managing water resources, MARD has a key role in developing and eventually sanctioning large projects that could have a significant impact on the Lake. Examples of such projects include long-standing idea on regulating (decreasing) water level of Skadar Lake.

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In line with its main function, the MARD has been actively engaged in the development of agricultural sector in Montenegro. Currently, it is carrying out a €17.1 million project called “Montenegro Institutional Development and Agriculture Strengthening” (MIDAS Project), which is aimed at preparing Montenegrin agriculture and its institutions for the future membership in the EU. This project is of special relevance for farmers from Zeta Valley and wine producers in Skadar Lake region.

The Ministry of Culture - The protection of cultural heritage, as well as plans for touristic valorisation of various monuments in Skadar Lake region are within the authority of this Ministry. The Ministry of Culture conducts two main projects regarding cultural heritage of the Lake (more information can be found in the section 3.4.1. of this Study).

Ministry of Economy – Its competencies include exploitation of mineral resources, energy issues and geological research. The Ministry of Economy is particularly relevant for the NPSL, especially bearing in mind long-standing considerations on exploitation of peat reserves from the NP area, as well as the plans for construction of hydro-power plants along Morača River, which can have wide-ranging effects on Skadar Lake ecosystem.

Ministry of Finance – It approves state budget allocations to PENP on the annual basis. The sums awarded to PENP are determined in relation to the overall state budget allocations rather than on the actual protection needs and planned activities of PENP.

Ministry of Maritime Trade and Transport – This Ministry is responsible for transport infrastructure. Among its main strategic investments is the construction of a highway that would cross through NP Skadar Lake. Furthermore, this Ministry has plans for re-establishment of the water transport routes on the Lake between Montenegro and Albania. The Port Authority in Virpazar falls under the competence of this Ministry and it controls the enforcement of laws and regulations regarding water traffic and transport (such is the security of vessels, safety measures on tourist boats etc).

Ministry of Internal Affairs – It is responsible for drafting and passing, as well as enforcement of laws and regulations regarding criminal activities, public safety etc.

The Police – apart from the general law enforcement, in respect to the Lake region, the Police sector is very important, since it maintains control over the state border with Albania (it is permanently present in the border area). Border police, as well as local police stations, frequently offer assistance to the National Park Ranger Service during law enforcement actions in the field (for instance capturing illegal fishermen or hunters and seizing their equipment). Finally, it is responsible for running and organising training courses for physical protection and security jobs (safety, legislation, procedures etc), which is an obligatory part of NP rangers’ training.

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Inspection Directorate – It is a newly established institution (in 2012) that acts as a central body for the most of the inspectorates that were previously scattered across different Ministries and institutions. The aim of this Directorate is to improve the efficiency of control and enforcement of various laws and regulations, prevent overlap of competences, improve cooperation among the inspectorates and with other institutions, build capacities of the staff, act to prevent and decrease corruption. The inspectorates that are most relevant for Skadar Lake are for the following: tourism; spatial protection; environmental protection; construction; agriculture; water resources; forestry, hunting and wild plants. In the next phase of expansion, this Directorate should also incorporate the inspectorate for the protection of cultural heritage.

Juridical system – in respect to the Lake, it is responsible for processing charges and issuing fines and penalties for all illegal activities such as illegal fishing, construction, hunting, exploitation of resources etc.

1.1.2. Local Governments Local government competencies cover several issues that influence NP management. First of all, local governments and their secretariats for urban planning are responsible for the implementation of physical and urban plans and other acts which regulate use of space in the areas adjacent to the National Park. In this respect, they can play a very important role in the Park’s management, since increased (often illegal) construction activities represent a serious threat to the NP area. Secondly, local authorities play a role in managing and operating public utility companies, which are in charge of municipal waste and water supply and sanitation services. One of the main pressures to the Skadar Lake ecosystem comes from municipal pollution sources in the catchment area. This refers both to the pollution from wastewaters and waste which reaches the Lake via its tributaries, as well as to the pollution from waste dumps that either penetrates groundwater or, in the case of frequent illegal dumps, litters landscape and natural amenities in the area. Finally, local governments encompass environmental secretariats, i.e. services tasked with developing and implementing general environmental protection measures (including nature protection) at the local level. In addition, several inspectorates are organised within local administration, including those on the construction, water, sanitary and environmental issues. They have supervisory and enforcement role, and could play a more active role in the protection and management of NP resources.

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Territory of the National Park Skadar Lake falls within administrative borders of three municipalities – Podgorica, Bar and Cetinje. The local authorities from these municipalities have a twofold role in the NP management: they act as protection institutions (by undertaking protection measures on their territories, though the scope of these activities varies from one municipality to the other) as well as resource users. The common characteristic of local governments related to Skadar Lake is that they operate under tight budgetary constraints, which often influences their position and shifts their interests towards the use of the Lake’s resources through different economic activities. Yet the most important role that local authorities have in the Park’s management is linked to their responsibilities for managing communal waste and wastewater (through public enterprises). This primarily applies to Podgorica municipality, and to a lesser degree to Cetinje, where improper treatment of municipal wastewater and solid waste directly affects quality of the Skadar Lake waters and therefore its ecosystem. Additionally, wider watershed area of Skadar Lake is influenced by activities within municipalities Danilovgrad and Niksic, primarily through discharge of sewage and other untreated waste waters into Skadar Lake tributaries. The Special Purpose Spatial Plan for NP Skadar Lake (2001) enlists waste management and wastewater treatment projects in all those municipalities located in the Lake’s watershed area as priorities.

1.2. Institutions responsible for nature protection

1.2.1. Environment Protection Agency – EPA

Environment Protection Agency is an administrative body in charge of the environment protection, monitoring, issuing licenses, preparation of analysis, environmental reporting and inspection, as well as communication with international organizations and general public.

EPA maintains close cooperation with international organizations, primarily European Environment Agency (EEA), International Agency for Nuclear Energy, participates in professional networks within the European Union, and cooperates with similar agencies in other countries. EPA is funded by the Government of Montenegro and donations.

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One of the major EPA activities is Reporting on the State of Environment in Montenegro. The Report is prepared based on the National list of environmental indicators adopted by the Government, based on EPA’s proposal. EPA prepares the Report on the State of the Environment and submits it to the Ministry for approval. The content of the report is defined by the Ministry and the data are supposed to be used for preparation of various environmental documents, including laws, strategies and various planning and programme documents related to specific segments of environment. However, there are two main issues regarding monitoring data.

First issue is that in the last couple of years, monitoring has been performed by different institutions, using different methodologies, which were not in accordance with prescribed international standards. Thus, the monitoring data obtained are not comparable, which jeopardises the main aim of the monitoring programme i.e. to follow the trends in environment and make relevant management decisions. The situation has been slightly improved during 2012, when EPA announced a more detailed tender documentation, including methodology to be applied. Since this monitoring programme is also relevant for Skadar Lake, and having in mind rationale of the monitoring (obtaining comparable data over specific period of time), this is an issue that has to be taken into account for any future monitoring to be conducted in the Lake region.

Secondly, although Law on Environment prescribes the Environmental Information System which would be maintained by EPA, such a system and a database where information would be stored and from where they could be retrieved for analysis and used by different parties is still lacking. Thus, although monitoring data for the state of Montenegrin environment (including Skadar Lake region) exist, they are currently not readily available or actually used as a tool for management.

Among other information, the EPA is in charge of management of cadastre of polluters, based on the information obtained from local authorities.

During 2012, the Nature Protection Institute has become a Nature Protection Sector within the Agency and all of its roles and responsibilities fell under the EPA’s operations. These include primarily activities related to the protection of biodiversity (through designation of protected areas and work on species of conservation interest), including: identifying natural assets that need special protection status; conducting research and supervising conservation and protection projects; preparing plans and programs for the advancement of protected areas; proposing nature protection measures to the relevant institutions; revalidating protected area status, providing expert opinions on project documentation and physical plans, etc.

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1.2.2. Monitoring Institutions

Monitoring institutions are part of the system of public institutions responsible for environmental protection, and their work linked to monitoring is mainly coordinated by the MSDT. Two main monitoring institutions in Montenegro are: Republic Hydro-Meteorological Institute (RHMI) and Centre for Eco-toxicological Research (CETR). As a part of their regular activities, or under specifically contracted service agreements, these institutions monitor quality and concentrations of pollutants in the air, water and soil. Results of the monitoring programmes are used as an input for the annual reports on the state of the environment prepared by EPA. RHMI keeps an electronic database with Skadar Lake water quality data series for a long period of time. The database is advanced and includes options for linking data, extrapolation and trend analysis. The database maintained by the CETR contains data on the large number of parameters monitored since 1997. Apart from those two institutions, the Statistical Office of Montenegro, MONSTAT, is yet another institution relevant for management of Skadar Lake. It is responsible for carrying out various statistical research, gathering and analysis of statistical data and information, maintenance of statistical databases on the level of the state etc. In relation to Skadar Lake, the most important information this Institute gathers are related to agriculture, fisheries, forestry, environment, tourism and demographics, and they are publicly available via their website.

1.2.3. Scientific Institutions

The most important scientific and research institutions whose area of work has relevance for the protection, advancement and valorisation of Skadar Lake resources include:

- University of Montenegro, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Department for Biology – it is the main source of educated cadre (biologists), but it also carries out various biological and ecological researches. In relation to Skadar Lake, most important activities include taxonomic and systematic research on flora and fauna (producing and updating species and habitat lists), biodiversity monitoring and ecological research.

- University of Montenegro, School of Biotechnology – it also produces competent cadre (biotechnologists), but its research is more related to the various aspects of

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agriculture and environment. It is divided into ten sections, including: agro-economy, rural development, fresh water fishery, viticulture and wine production etc.

- University of Donja Gorica – conducts a Masters course in Protected Area Management and Rural Development. Together with two affiliated institutes – Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognoses (ISSP) and Centre for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED), carries out research on various socio-economic issues, including Skadar Lake region (for instance, CEED prepared Socio-economic analysis of Skadar Lake region within the World Bank project “Lake Skadar Integrated Ecosystem Management” and ISSP prepared the Economic Valuation of Montenegrin System of Protected Areas, within the UNDP project “Catalyzing financial sustainability of Protected Area System in Montenegro”- more information on those documents can be found in section 3. on projects in this study).

- University "Mediteran" – conducts a specialist postgraduate course on protected area management

- The Natural History Museum - is an institution responsible for collection of flora, fauna and geological samples, and provides expertise in biodiversity research. In relation to Skadar Lake, NHM helped National Parks in equipping and setting animal exhibitions at the Visitors’ centres (e.g. Vranjina). In 2012, the Museum won EPA’s tender for biodiversity monitoring.

- Montenegrin Academy of Arts and Sciences - Department of Natural Sciences – conducts research related to biodiversity (Lake included). The Academy has also prepared project proposal for regulating the water level of the Lake.

- Forestry Directorate – this is an institution responsible for various forestry-related issues. Apart from general forestry management and exploitation of forest resources, this Directorate has recently carried out a National Forest Inventory and is working on a National Forestry Strategy. Their activities are particularly important in the wider watershed region of the Lake.

All of the above institutions have an important role, as they conduct various research projects, organise scientific meetings and conferences, publish relevant works and promote the Lake’s values. In this way, scientific institutions contribute to the general body of knowledge on Skadar Lake, as well as conduct training and raise capacities of people working in the nature protection system, NPSL included.

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1.2.4. National Park Management

The key institution with responsibilities in Lake’s management and protection is Public Enterprise National Parks of Montenegro with its operational unit National Park Skadar Lake. Detailed description of this institution is given in section 3. on Skadar Lake NP management in Study 2.

1.3. Civil Society

1.3.1. Local Population

Local population, as well as small businesses and industries, are mainly interested in using Skadar Lake resources. According to the statistical data (refer to the section 5. on socio-economic situation in Study 2), the majority of settlements within or nearby NP Skadar Lake have a negative demographic trend and the main occupation of their inhabitants are fishery, tourism and small-scale agriculture. However, population density in the Park’s buffer zone and the wider Lake region is much higher, and therefore pressures on the resources are more substantial. This particularly refers to Zeta Valley, one of the most intensively cultivated agricultural areas in Montenegro that stretches alongside the northern shore of Skadar Lake, and which has a relatively stable demographic trend. Local population is organised in local communes (administrative unit smaller than municipality). In each of the three Municipalities (Podgorica, Bar and Cetinje) there is a certain number of local communes, which provide citizens with a tool for participation in decision making in relation to various issues which concern their everyday lives, such as: spatial planning, housing, communal issues, social and child protection, culture, environment protection, health etc. Local communes are established by the related municipality, which defines their way of work, decision making, participation of citizens, financing, keeping registers etc. based on relevant legislation. Citizens can actively participate in work and operations of local communes - they can: propose and comment on development programmes, participate in discussions on communal issues, landfills, water supply system, sewage system, transport issues, spatial planning, environmental issues,

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cultural/sport and other events etc. Local communes are financed by the related municipality, citizens living in that area, fees for services they provide, and/or through projects/donations. In relation to Skadar Lake, local communes are mainly involved in organisation of various cultural/tourist/promotion events, but those engagements are often driven from the outside (by donors through projects, by municipal authorities), rather than by internal needs and initiatives. Those communes are not actively involved in decision making regarding management of natural and cultural resources of the Lake, though they have a great potential to be strong partners to the National Park authorities in the Lake’s protection. Apart from local communes, in regard to the use of Skadar Lake resources, local population has been organised in associations related to specific activities. There are two main fishery associations in the Lake region – Fishery Association of Vranjina village (around 80 members) and a Fishery Association of Krajina region (around 200 members). These are two regions where majority of population practices fishing, in comparison to other regions around the Lake, so the main interest of those two associations is achieving sustainability in fisheries. Recently, a new, Kroni Fishermen Association (with around 15 members), has been established in Malesija region, where fishery is not a primary activity, but is significant nevertheless. All of those associations can take an active part and be a valuable partner to the NP authorities in creating sustainable fishing practices at the Lake in line with the real situation in the field. They have already established some cooperation with the National Park Skadar Lake and according to the statements of the NP authorities, they will play significant role in organisation and management of fisheries on the Lake in the forthcoming period. There are more than a dozen entrepreneurs that organize boat excursions at the Lake, and they formed an Association of Tourist Boat Owners “Green Shippers”. The Association has been founded in October 2010, with the support of GIZ through the project “Green Management” (refer to the section 3.4.2). It is based in Virpazar and is unique in the region, since it was established with the main goal to protect the Lake environment, as well as to raise awareness of tourists using their services about Lake’s natural and cultural values. They introduced several environmental measures that all members have to abide to, which also entitle them to fee reductions and exemptions from the NPSL. National Association of Wine Producers has been established by the end of 2007 with the support of GIZ (refer to section 3.4.2), and up to now has more than 200 members. In

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relation to Skadar Lake region only, there are two associations of wine producers – in Crmnica and Drušići, which have about 30 members. Their primary activities are related to the promotion of wine and wine production at different fairs, but also to the promotion of Skadar Lake region as a tourist destination where visitors can enjoy degustation of homemade wines in one of many wine cellars in the region. Together with the relevant Ministries they also work on distribution of wine grafts, supply of planting material and extension of vineyards, participation at national and international tourist and wine fairs etc. Furthermore, they cooperate closely with relevant Ministries, GIZ, Company “Plantaže” etc.

1.3.2. Non-governmental Organisations

Non-governmental sector in general, and particularly environmental NGOs have experienced a large expansion over the course of the last decades. As a result of this growth, both in the number of present organisations and in the scope of their projects, environmental NGOs have become a very important stakeholder in the management of Skadar Lake region. A variety of projects linked to Skadar Lake has been implemented by NGOs over the past years (or are currently in progress). They have had a positive impact on the protection and management of the Lake. The most notable results of the activities undertaken by the non-governmental sector include raised awareness about Skadar Lake’s potentials and pressures on the region’s environment, improved promotion of the Lake and international cooperation (with Albania and other countries), concrete improvements related to the protection of particular species and habitats (e.g. pelicans), as well as development of tourist products. The main donors for the NGO activities so far were international organisations, while the share of internal sources of funding in this context remains rather modest. 1.3.3. Media Media represent another group of stakeholders whose role is particularly important in relation to raising public awareness and promoting Lake’s values. Montenegrin printed and electronic media have been paying an increased attention to Skadar Lake. The ongoing projects, NGOs’ and nature protection institutions’ initiatives, international cooperation and examples of good practices are usually well covered by all the local and national media. The same applies for reporting on incidents and daily management problems. However,

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media are to a lesser degree involved in research and analysis of root causes of problems faced by the NP administration and other nature protection institutions. A more proactive approach is needed in this area, in order to disseminate information and contribute to wider discussions on the best management and protection options. Similarly, media could be more active in disseminating information on the importance of Lake’s ecosystem.

1.4. Industries and Small Businesses Key industries in the catchment area of Skadar Lake NP are located in towns of Podgorica and Nikšić. They contribute significantly to the total pollution load that reaches the Lake through surface and ground waters. Precise data on the scale of this impact is not available, but the very nature of technological processes applied in these industries indicates that they pose a significant threat in the long run. Especially important pollution sources are wastewater discharges and waste from the Aluminium Plant in Podgorica (KAP), which is located in the vicinity of the National Park. A common characteristic of all the industrial facilities is that they operate with poor or without any pollution abatement measures. The waste disposal sites, industrial and municipal alike, do not have protective layers that would prevent penetration of pollutants into the ground and groundwater. Although they are bound by national and international laws to carry out pollution prevention and environmental protection measures, including those that affect Skadar Lake ecosystem, those measures are rarely implemented. Fish Processing Factory in Rijeka Crnojevića – this is one of five active fish-processing factories in the Balkans. Apart from the marine fish, this factory processes about 0,9 million cans of Lake fish. From this, 0,8 million cans (147t) are of bleak and 0,1 million (70t) of carp (Strategy for Fishery Development 2006). For ensuring sufficient quantities of bleak, this factory has been a holder of concessions from NP for exploitation of natural bleak schools and trout aquaculture. They are responsible for the protection and maintenance of bleak habitats in “oka”, sublacustrine springs, which are a wintering habitat for bleak populations. The interest of this factory is maintenance of water quality of the Lake and protection of bleak (and carp) stocks, however, their role in the management is rather passive. Additionally, this factory presents a point source of pollution, as it has been reported that it discharges waste waters from the process directly into Rijeka Crnojevića, which is among the main Lake tributaries.

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Company “Plantaže” is the biggest wine production company in Montenegro making around 17 million bottles of wine per year. They own and manage the largest single vineyard in Europe, 2310 ha in surface with more than 11 million grapevines, which is situated in Ćemovsko polje, few kilometres from the north Skadar Lake shores. In relation to Skadar Lake, they rent the premises of the NP in Vranjina for their restaurant, which is one the biggest and most popular catering facilities in the region. This lease agreement presents a source of income for the Park. Cijevna Komerc is one of the largest construction companies in Montenegro. In relation to Skadar Lake, it holds the concessions on gravel and sand exploitation in downstream regions of Morača River, including the one within the National Park. In 2011, this company extracted 2.779 m³of materials from Bakine tigle location within the Park. This concession is a significant source of income for the National Park (in 2011 it was 55.887€, or 10,6% of the earned income – Source of information: PENP Annual Report 2011). Regional Water Supply System provides a supply of drinking water from a sublacustrine spring located within NP Skadar Lake (location Bolje sister) to towns along the Adriatic coast. By providing sufficient quantities of water to almost all coastal Municipalities, this system solved one of the major problems at the coast – i.e. water supply deficiency during the peak of the tourist season. Although all water quantities are taken from Skadar Lake, there is no charge paid to the National Park. Currently, a negotiation is taking place between NPSL and this Company in order to introduce some mode of payment for the ecosystem service to the Company, which would assist the Park in reaching financial sustainability.

Tourism agencies are among representatives of small businesses that most extensively use Lake’s resources. Agencies all around Montenegro (and Croatia, as well) offer one day excursions to the Lake (including boat cruising, visitors’ centres etc). This brings income to all the involved parties (agencies themselves, national park through entrance fees, small restaurants, souvenir shops, boat owners etc). During 2011 app. 45.000 people visited the Lake on boat cruises (PENP Annual Report 2011). They play important role in promotion of Skadar Lake, and it is in their interest that the landscapes, natural and cultural values of the region are preserved, though their role in the Park management is currently very modest.

Owners of small-scale local businesses (agriculture, trade, tourism and catering, crafts etc) represent yet another group of stakeholders who could contribute to better protection and management of the NP, even though their current activities are often based on unsustainable practices. Their businesses depend on the preservation of the region’s values, so with proper promotion, targeted awareness raising and capacity building programs, they could play a more prominent role in the preservation and management of the Lake region.

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1.5. International Organisations Several international organisations have played an important role in relation to Skadar Lake protection and management over the past years. Their activities ranged from supporting NGOs and providing technical assistance to nature protection institutions, to funding a number of research, promotion and investment projects. Several nature protection institutions and NGOs have been developing lasting cooperation with various international organisations, both from the neighbouring Albania and worldwide. International cooperation is particularly important given the global significance of Skadar Lake ecosystems and low capacity for nature protection and biodiversity management, and is certainly an area where further expansion is necessary in the future. The main international organisations that supported projects related to Skadar Lake in the past period include the GIZ, Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), the World Bank, USAID, and UNDP (for more details, refer to the section 3. on projects in the Lake region).

1.6. Summary

Based on the above, it can be concluded that a large number of stakeholder groups has been present in Skadar Lake region, all of them having various degrees of power, interest and influence over protection and management of the Lake. The regulatory function (enactment and enforcement of legislation) is assigned to several governmental institutions and public enterprises. Resource use is of particular interest for local population, industries and small businesses, while several public and scientific institutions, non-governmental and international organisations are active in the domain of the research, protection of particular aspects of Lake ecosystem and promotion of its values. Main issues in terms of the management of the Skadar Lake region by different stakeholders can be summarised as follows:

- Overlapping competencies are frequently exhibited among key Skadar Lake stakeholders. These weaken law enforcement and create obstacles for effective management of protected area. This should, at least partially, be alleviated by the newly formed Inspection Directorate that merges all the different inspectorates on the national level.

- There is almost no link between research on one side and management and development, on the other, i.e. management and other plans and programmes are usually not based on

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the monitoring data, so although many activities are implemented, main problems and issues remain (see section 1.3.2. in Study 2).

- Despite some achievements in monitoring and maintaining data on water quality of Skadar Lake and watercourses in its catchment area, monitoring and information systems remains one of the weak segments of the entire environmental management system.

- There is no centralised database about the Lake nor unified methodologies in performing monitoring (so data not comparable), thus creating serious gap in making proper management decisions (e.g. regarding fishery, exploitation of sand and gravel, carrying capacity for various tourism activities etc.).

- Further issues exist regarding research. First, scientific research in the past few decades has been minimal and unsystematic. Current plans and management activities use old data, and make decisions based on them, when it is apparent that the situation in the field has significantly changed. Further, the existing research reflects the personal interests of individual scientists, rather than the real needs, and data from such research is not readily available to managers, decision makers or wider public, because they either stay unpublished, or are published in specialist journals that are hard to come by.

- Some stakeholders, especially users (local population, industries, small businesses) are poorly involved and consulted, nor do they have any part in decision-making and management of the Lake, although they could play a more active role and in such a way compensate for the Park’s lack of capacities in certain fields.

- Coordination between stakeholders in planning and management is generally lacking. Cooperation is usually related to concrete projects and on an ad hoc basis, rather than being a continuous collaboration where all different parties have a voice and take a part of responsibility in Lake’s protection and resource management.

- More coordination between institutions and individual researches is needed, so that the existing knowledge can be compiled so that it can be used to inform proper management decision.

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2. Current situation on the economic development Socio-economic and political events in the recent history of Montenegro, such as the transition from the system of centralised planning to market economy, wars in the region and economic sanctions, led to the overall economic stagnation in the country. The most affected was the industrial sector that basically collapsed, and which hasn’t managed to recover properly, despite the privatisation process. Because of this, Montenegrin economy had to undergo a major transformation. Given the richness of biodiversity and natural habitats, largely preserved environment, traditional modes of land-use still practiced in most of the country area, Montenegrin Government adopted agriculture and tourism as the main strategic developmental directions (together with energy sector). However, although those sectors, tourism in particular, have become dominant in the recent years, some major issues still remain to be solved. A significant proportion of labour force with specific, industry-related technical skills was left unemployed, and their requalification towards tourism or agricultural production has proven to be challenging. Depopulation of rural areas, which are targets for development of nature-oriented and rural tourism and agriculture, is a constant trend, resulting in a decrease and overall ageing of the local population, which has implications for labour market. Further, there is a general overproduction of cadre in certain service sectors such are the financial, banking, trading, while at the same time, there is a shortage of qualified personnel especially in the agricultural and food sectors. Finally, general lack of strategic approach to planning and development has created an over-exploitation of resources that threatens to permanently endanger some parts of the country while at the same time create underutilisation of resources in others (Map of Resources 2011). All of the above trends and issues in Montenegrin economy apply to Skadar Lake region as well. Economic development in this region is in a direct link with the values it possesses, and it also depends on the existing social situation. The Skadar Lake region, especially the NP area, has been designated by all strategic documents for the development of nature-oriented, cultural and rural tourism, as well as for agricultural production, with particular emphasis on fisheries (which is in Montenegro treated as an agricultural activity) and farming. It is believed that those activities are best able to provide development opportunities that can bring benefits to local population as well as to the management authorities of the NP Skadar Lake.

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2.1. Fishery Still largely unpolluted natural watercourses present a significant potential for the development of fisheries and fishery-based tourism in Montenegro. Freshwater fisheries in Montenegro are based on a network of springs, rivers, lowland and mountain lakes and large reservoirs. However, according to the Map of Resources 2011, remarkably small quantities of fish in comparison to realistic potentials are extracted from those watercourses, mainly due to the inadequate management. In this context, Skadar Lake (together with Šasko Lake) presents one of the most valuable fish resources in Montenegro, with a fish biomass production of 80kg/ha and providing more than 95% of all freshwater fisheries in Montenegro (Mrdak 2009). The commercially most important fish species are carp and bleak (which comprise 70% of total catch), followed by twaide shad, eel, nase and others (Mrdak 2009). The main users of the fish resources who have direct economic benefit from fisheries on the Lake are: local population, fish processing factory in Rijeka Crnojevića and the National Park. The number of professional fishermen is estimated from the number of the official fishing licences issued by the Park authorities. The exact number of the issued licences changes slightly from year to year, but on average, the number of registered fishermen in the Lake region is around 300. They mainly catch carp, but also bleak and eel. In the absence of the proper monitoring of the catch, the estimates of annual quantities caught range between 100 and 500 tonnes per year (Strategy for Fishery Development 2006). Around 80% of the catch (especially carp) is sold at the informal or local markets, while the rest is sold to the fish processing factory in Rijeka Crnojevića (Strategy for Fishery Development 2006). According to the Map of Resources (2011), the full potential of some fish species’ stocks, especially bleak, has still not been used to the full possible extent. However, both national and international protection status of the Lake requires strict control of the fish catch, including coordination with the Albanian side. Measuring the economic benefits for local population is quite challenging, since there are no reliable data to make proper calculations. However, the study by Mrdak (2009) gave some rough predictions of possible annual income per fisherman (calculations are based on the estimates of fishing days, average catch with the most common gear, estimated number of fishermen at the Lake, price of fish at the local markets etc). According to this estimate, total average annual income to the fisherman is about 6.400€. The average income per

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family depends on the number of fishermen in the family, but most commonly there is one professional (full-time) fisherman per family. The economic benefit to the NP Skadar Lake from fisheries comes from issuing several types of licences (table 1). In 2011, total income from fishing licences to the NP was 62.410€, which was about 11,8% of the total income for 2011 (PENP Annual Report 2011). Table 1 – Types, prices, quantities of fishing licences issued by the NP Skadar Lake in 2011 (PENP Annual Report 2011)

Type of Fishing Licence Price per licence

in €

No. of licences issued in 2011

For carp with 10 gillnets 400 131

For carp with 20 gillnets 700 5

For eel 100 51

For bleak 100 5

For line fishing 100 10

Annual angling licence 100 162

Daily angling licence 5 85

In addition to that, NP issues a concession for the exploitation of bleak stock in sublacustrine springs (“oka”) and for trout aquaculture to the fish-processing factory „Ribarstvo“. NP’s income in 2011 based on the contract signed with the factory was 30.000€. The catch of bleak, according to the contractual obligations, has been inspected by the NP Guard service.

Apart from that, freshwater fishery at the Lake has a potential for tourism development (through sport fishing), as a contribution to the existing forms of nature based tourism at the Lake. A number of daily and annual angling licences are issued for recreational and sport fishing. Additionally, an annual angling competition under the title “Trophy of Skadar Lake – Golden Bleak” has been taking place for more than four decades, every year gathering a large number of anglers from the whole region. However, this type of tourism offer has still not been properly developed nor utilised. Considering fish as a valuable economic resource, and with the aim to regulate its utilisation, couple of documents, i.e. law, regulations and plans have been developed. The framework document for freshwater fishery in Montenegro, covering Skadar Lake as the

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biggest fresh water reservoir in Montenegro, is the Law on Freshwater Fisheries (Official Gazette, No. 11/2007). The Law regulates the manner of use, protection, conservation, breeding and catching of fish in the fishing waters, and also describes the contents of Fishery Management Plan. Fishery at the Lake is further regulated by several regulations endorsed by the PENP (refer to the section 2. on legislative and policy framework in Study 2). The Law and those decisions are enforced by the NP Guard Service, in cooperation with the related inspections. The proliferation of illegal fishing, primarily fishing with forbidden means such is electricity, seine fishing on open waters and fishing during the spawning season, is an indicator of high economic return from those activities, as well as of the poor enforcement. The data on income from illegal fishing is lacking, but anecdotal evidence points out that it can be substantial, several times higher than the income from regular fishery practices (tens of thousands of Euros annually). High income, small investments in the equipment and low risk from being criminally charged are prompting an increasing number of people to turn to illegal fishing. Majority of illegal fishermen are those living in the buffer area, and to whom fishing is not a primary source of income, but an extra activity that complements income from their regular jobs in industry, service sector or agriculture. Illegal fishing, together with other human-induced changes in the Lake ecosystem, is creating changes in fish stock composition, which even without scientific stock assessment or other formal research, is observed by all those who have been exercising fishing for long periods of time. Since fishing continues on the basis of outdated information and regulations that are not flexible enough to incorporate rapid changes in ecosystems and socio-economic situation, the sustainability of fisheries on the Lake as an economic activity has been brought under the question. A number of documents, including the most recent Fishery Management Plan developed within the framework of the Lake Shkodra/Skadar Integrated Ecosystem Management Project, give a number of recommendations regarding fisheries on the Lake. Priority is invariably given to the development of the Stock Assessment document that would provide up-to-date information on the fish stock quantity and annual fish increment, based on which daily and annual maximum allowed catch of each fish species can be proposed. Furthermore, the recommendations include development and implementation of monitoring and protection programs for particular species and special habitats (primarily spawning areas and areas important for migratory species), monitoring and control of fish catch, research into socio-economic situation of fishermen households, work on awareness raising and capacity building of fishermen associations and revision on the current legislation and its harmonisation with that in Albania.

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2.2. Tourism Richness of flora and fauna and preserved natural habitats in Montenegro create favourable conditions for development of nature-oriented tourism. Following tourism trends in Europe, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, the expectations are that Montenegro with its still preserved environment will attract more and more tourists interested in outdoor activities, such as: hiking, biking, bird watching, camping, sport fishing etc. This is particularly true for the protected areas, including Skadar Lake National Park. Abundance of natural and cultural values, its geographic position and mild climate all create very favourable conditions for tourism development at Skadar Lake. Situated in the hinterland of the Adriatic coast, it has all prerequisites for daily excursions from tourist centres on the coast. It is also in the vicinity of the capital of Montenegro, which makes it a popular destination for recreation. Tourist offer of the Lake region consists of several products:

- Boat cruising - This is the most popular tourist activity that has been carried out for the past few decades by local entrepreneurs in Vranjina, Plavnica, Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevića. A cruise consists of a boat trip during which visitors can enjoy views of the Lake, visit monasteries, fortresses and fishermen villages on the coast, as well as enjoy local cuisine. Local entrepreneurs usually receive organised tourist groups through travel agencies from the region or from the coast, or they take individual guests. Average price per person is 10€. Apart from the local entrepreneurs, tourism is also an income generating activity for the Park itself, where income is achieved primarily through charging entrance tickets. According to the PENP Annual Report 2011, the most dominant type of tourism at the Lake was excursions, with more than 45.000 tourists visiting the Lake in this way. The number of such visitors has been steadily increasing in the past years (in 2011 it was 12,7% higher than in 2010). With the entry fee of 4€, and with some exemptions, NP income from this activity alone was 157.807€ (which comprised 29,9% of the annual income from own sources). Furthermore, in 2011 National Park signed contracts with 31 entrepreneurs for 45 boats that were used for cruising, and the total income from this was 18.872€ (PENP Annual Report 2011).

- Hiking – this is a tourist product which has been developed in the past few years. Through GIZ-supported project (refer to section 3.4.2) and in cooperation with MSDT, NP has produced a network of hiking trails around the Lake, where visitors

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can enjoy dozens of kilometres of marked trails and become familiar with natural and cultural values of the Lake region.

- Biking – as with hiking, this is a relatively recent tourist product of the region. There are seven biking trails around Skadar Lake, two of which are dirt roads designated for mountain biking. Local entrepreneurs are still slow to incorporate hiking and biking into their tourist offer. Economic benefit from organising hiking and biking tours is mostly achieved by some agencies from the coast or individual freelance guides (who charge between 10€ per person, or 30-100€ per group per day, depending on the route length, trek duration and difficulty. This form of tourist offer is still not utilised to its full potential.

- Kayaking – kayaking at the Lake is organized by NP Skadar Lake and Kayak Club Montenegro. Kayaks can be rented at Vranjina, Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevića. Entrance for kayak at the Lake is 2€, while visitor has to pay 3€ for every hour of kayaking.

- Wind surfing – Skadar Lake has very favourable conditions for windsurfing. It can be practiced in Vranjina, in the organization of Windsurf club “Pelican”.

- Restaurants with local cuisine – there are significant number of restaurants at the

Lake where tourist can enjoy traditional food (Lake fish, wine, local fruits etc.).

- Gastronomic routes – another relatively recent tourist product that has been developed through several projects with international support. Wine trail, Routes of honey and cheese, Ethno-gastronomic route, have been designed, marked and signposted and promoted. Main beneficiaries are local households and producers of wine and other gastronomic products in the Lake region.

- Visitors’ centres – the main goals of the visitors’ centres are awareness raising and

education regarding natural and cultural values of the protected areas in Montenegro and necessity for their protection, presentation of traditional ways of living in rural areas, promotion of sustainable development concept, organization of fieldtrips for school children and students, thematic lectures in ecology, biology, cultural-historic heritage etc. NP receives income from visitors’ centres through charging entrance tickets.

- Bird watching – Very diverse bird fauna that includes some flagship and

endangered species, makes Skadar Lake a destination with a great potential for

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development of birdwatching. The development of tourist product has received much attention and financial assistance through many donor-supported projects in the past few years, so that presently the main infrastructure and promotional/educational material for birdwatching are in place. Nevertheless, this tourist product is still largely underutilised. Despite the large project grants invested in development of birdwatching on the Lake amounting to tens of thousands of Euros over the years (see section 3 on projects), the income to the NP from this activity is negligible. Local entrepreneurs sporadically offer this as a tourist product, but their lack of interest and availability of trained guides for birdwatching means that there is no sufficient interest to further develop this offer or even specialise in it.

Based on the above, it can be concluded that Skadar lake region has significant potentials for development of excursion tourism, where tourists can enjoy various natural and cultural attractions and outdoor activities. This is the type of tourism that generates fewer resources in comparison to tourism based on the accommodation. However, it also requires less investment and can be developed in close cooperation with local population. All those types of tourism do not require huge investments in infrastructure (and the basic infrastructure has already been put into place through donor-assisted projects). Thus, they have the potential to generate significant income for local population, since local inhabitants are main providers of those services: boat cruising, restaurants, souvenirs, guides and similar. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of local entrepreneurs and proliferation of tourist services, which is an indicator that this activity indeed generates significant income. Nevertheless, in terms of sustainability and quality control of those activities, some issues still persist. They include the lack of trained guides and interpreters, specific skills (foreign languages, hospitality, marketing, promotion etc), insufficient respect for the environmental considerations, low awareness and knowledge of natural assets and ecology of the Lake etc. The major issue to be taken into consideration is the high protection status of the Lake (both national and international), which requires careful planning in the sense of number of people to be allowed to the Lake and to specific areas (e.g. special nature reserves, protected species’ habitats etc), types of boats to be used (noise, pollution etc), proper interpretation of natural and cultural values (engagement of local population) and similar.

Some of the obstacles that need to be dealt with when considering long-term sustainability of tourism in the Skadar Lake region include: unsustainable use of natural resources, lack or insufficient cooperation with local communities, lack of data and research, lack or insufficient communication between key stakeholders (primarily. local communities and protected area management), as well as the illegal construction.

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2.3. Farming In almost all the strategic development documents, agriculture (together with tourism and energy) is recognized as a priority development direction for Montenegro. Currently, agriculture participates with 8% in the national GDP, which is not considered sufficient, having in mind the natural potentials of Montenegro (such as the variety of climate conditions and available resources) and significant import of food (Map of Resources 2011). In relation to the EU accession, as the main development driving force in Montenegro, rural development policy takes an important part of the agriculture policy. Looking at the related Ministry for Agriculture and Rural Development, their budget in 2012 was app. 14,5 mil €, out of which 13,2 mil € were allocated for agriculture, rural development and fishery. The following allocations are of a special interest for Skadar Lake (the allocated budget refers to the whole Montenegro, not only Skadar Lake region):

- production of tobacco - region of Skadar Lake has been emphasised as the one with favourable conditions for growing tobacco, but still not utilised to the full extent – allocations in 2012 were 70.000 €

- beekeeping – 180.000 € - wine growing (viticulture) – 140.000 € - support to the organizations of producers – 115.000 € - improvement of the quality of products (including traditional production, organic

production, certification and similar) – 170.000 € - promotion of agriculture products (this includes annual event “Days of Vine and

Bleak” organized every year in Virpazar) – 90.000 € - measures for improvement of living conditions and development of economic

activities in rural areas - 918.000 € Montenegro has 254.509,7 ha of arable land, and Zeta valley that belongs to Skadar Lake region, comprises a significant part of that surface. Thus, farming has been considered as one of the main income-generating activities for people living in Skadar Lake region. If we consider only settlements within the National Park boundaries, it is evident that there is no intensive farming. Arable land in almost all settlements within the National Park is in the form of small cascading parcels, mostly due to topography and other characteristics of the karst terrain that predominates along the South and West shores of the Lake. Although the soils in this region provide good conditions for farming, the productivity has decreased due to several factors. Currently, most of the production is from small-scale plots where vegetables and fruits are being grown primarily for own use or sale at the local green

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market (in Virpazar or Bar) or to the local restaurants and other catering facilities. Within the National Park boundaries, the most important production is of grapes and wine, olives and honey. Grapes have been produced in many settlements, especially in Crmnica and Riječka nahija regions. Two grape sorts in particular are characteristic to this region – Vranac and Kratošija, both autochthonous to Montenegro, which gives them an additional value in terms of marketing. Many households in those two regions produce home-made wine and grape brandy for their own consumption. In many villages and families this has been considered as part of tradition and customs transferred from generation to generation. Since wine production is one of the oldest economic activities in the region (together with fishing), and having in mind that it is deeply rooted in the tradition of this region, it creates a lot of possibilities for tourism development. Wine has recently been valorised through tourism, primarily through establishment of Wine Trails and promotion of gastronomic heritage of the region. Thus, homemade wine can be found in almost all restaurants on the Lake shores (together with food produced in the region, like: honey, goat cheese, chestnut, olives). Consequently, many small, family-owned vineyards and wineries have been opened and have started to generate income from this activity. In terms of long-term fate of this activity, it will certainly have to undergo major changes in terms of introduction of technological process improvement and standards related to quality control in the context of the EU accession. A role in that process will probably be primarily driven by the associations of wine producers in Drušići and Crmnica, together with the National Association. Apart from grapes and vine, olives are yet another agriculture product typical for this region. Growing and processing of olives are typical for the communities along the southern shores of the Lake (Krajina region). Skadar Lake region possess good conditions for the production of honey. Honey from this region is well positioned at the local market, and the producers do not have major problems in selling it. Association of beekeepers works education and provision of the equipment, together with other beekeepers’ associations in Montenegro. They regularly organize various fairs throughout Montenegro, where they present and sell their products. This is the only area where the number of beekeepers has increased in relation to the other parts of Montenegro. The situation along the North shores of the Lake, especially in the buffer zone, is completely different in terms of agricultural activity. The best arable land is situated in the flat costal area in Zeta valley. The soil composition, together with adequate climate, creates

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favourable conditions for intensive farming. Having in mind that this is the region with stable demographic trends, with relatively big parcels of flat land, with modern equipment (mechanisation and irrigation), it has all the prerequisites for very high yield. The most favourable products are vegetables (especially watermelon, tomato and pepper), which are grown throughout the year, due to the production in greenhouses. The changes in the Lake size and ecosystem that occurred in the past century and a half (due to reduced draining capacity of Bojana river after a big flood in mid-nineteen century and subsequent increase of the Lake surface and the spread of marshlands) means that significant proportion of the previously farmed agricultural land has been reclaimed by natural wetlands. This has been regarded as one of the most important arguments for decreasing the current level of the Lake through regulation of Bojana River, which would result in obtaining additional arable land in Zeta Valley. Having in mind the above and the information regarding the population structure and trends in Skadar Lake region, it can be concluded that:

- Agriculture production in Skadar Lake region corresponds to the national agriculture priorities.

- Farming practices within the NP and outside it (in the buffer area and wider catchment) are significantly different in the intensity, scope, type of agricultural products, their marketing, sale and economic gains. Farming within the NP boundaries has been characterized by low productivity, mainly due to small parcels and land fragmentation, depopulation of rural areas, unfavourable age and qualification structure of the agricultural population. Farming in Zeta Valley outside the NP is characterised by high productivity, high input of fertilisers and pesticides, stable demographic trends, higher economic benefits from agricultural production.

- Intensive agriculture on the borders of the NP requires special and constant attention of the NP management authorities, as it creates significant environmental impact.

- Although historically present, livestock keeping has diminished recently, and although local population still keeps cows, sheep, goats, horses and donkeys, this form of agriculture is not considered a priority.

Some of the measures for improvement of the agriculture in this region include:

- Further strengthening of the associations of various agriculture producers around the Lake;

- Work on certification of the traditional products from Skadar Lake region; - Support to marketing and selling of the products from this region;

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- Continuous monitoring of the pollution coming from extensive agriculture in Zeta valley;

- Strengthening cooperation between NP management and associations of agriculture producers in Skadar Lake region.

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3. Review of projects implemented in Skadar Lake region in the past decade

3.1. Short overview

Since the beginning of the century, after the crisis of the 90’s, Skadar Lake region has attracted much attention from various national and international organisations, so a number of projects were designed and implemented.

The first larger international project that was implemented in the region was “Promotion of Networks and Exchanges in Countries of South-Eastern Europe”, within the regional REReP initiative (Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme), which was an environmental component of the Stability Pact for South East Europe. Its aim was to use environmental protection as a neutral common ground for initiating and fostering the transboundary dialogue in the Balkan region.

Through this project, numerous activities were carried out, including capacity-building trainings, biodiversity protection actions, promotional and awareness-raising campaigns etc, primarily on the cross-border level, joining Montenegrin and Albanian institutions and stakeholder groups for the first time since the 80’s.

Project results attracted much attention, and laid foundations for other donors and projects. Several larger trans-boundary initiatives followed, including the GEF-funded World Bank project “Skadar Lake Integrated Ecosystem Management Project (LSIEMP)”, which focuses on the joint management of shared environmental resources and their protection. Several other trans-boundary projects focused on developing environmental monitoring of chemical, physical and biological aspects of the Lake as a basis for future joint management. Furthermore, project “Cross-boundary Spatial Planning Lake Shkoder/Skadar Region, Albania and Montenegro” initiated a discussion and cooperation on the topic of spatial planning. Apart from the cross-border initiatives, a number of projects were implemented in Montenegro, primarily targeting the National Park area, and they were focused on nature protection, preservation and valorisation of cultural heritage, development of economic sectors (with an emphasis on tourism), or on technical support to the NP Skadar Lake.

Finally, Skadar Lake region is a target for other projects carried out in Montenegro dealing with various aspects of environment and nature protection on a national level. In those

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projects, Skadar Lake is recognised as an important biodiversity spot and protected area with a long history of human-environment interactions and efforts are directed towards achieving the sustainable financing for conservation activities, as well as towards capacity building of relevant stakeholders.

3.2. Projects on a trans-boundary level

Project name: Promotion of Networks and Exchanges in Countries of South–Eastern Europe – Skadar Lake REReP 4.3.23 Implementing agency: Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe - REC Funded by: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation - SDC Duration: Oct 2000 – Feb 2007 Budget: 560.000 EUR

Project objectives: The main project goal was to enhance the cooperation among South Eastern European countries through the management of shared natural resources. The project targeted three trans-boundary sites (Skadar Lake, Neretva Delta, and Stara Planina). Initial project objectives were:

- Promotion of cooperation in the management and protection of key trans-boundary areas in South Eastern Europe, which represent sites of key nature conservation interest with a high potential for trans-boundary social interaction;

- Promotion of local organisations and cross-border exchanges between local organisations and people, in the interest of managing shared natural resources;

- Promotion of technical networks at a regional level with a view to support the effective management of selected trans-boundary sites, as well as the integration of these networks in relevant national and international level processes.

Short description: This was the first international project that aimed to re-establish cooperation between Montenegrin and Albanian sides of the Lake after the crisis of the 90-ties. Within the several years period, numerous activities aimed at capacity building, establishment of national and cross-border networks, promotion of the Lake’s values, as well as nature protection, were carried out. Project cherished a participatory approach, where stakeholders themselves had an opportunity to propose and design activities through “Get Everyone Involved” stakeholders meetings at the beginning and through active participation in partnership bodies throughout the project. The project

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implementation units, with designated project managers, were established in each of the countries involved. The established networks and promotion carried out within this project provided foundations for other projects and subsequently attracted many other donors and projects to Skadar Lake region. Outputs:

Partnerships: - Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development between the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Albania and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of the Republic of Montenegro – 2003 - Establishment of Skadar/Shkodra Lake Forum gathering representatives of different stakeholder groups. Forum members signed a Declaration on Skadar/Shkodra Lake – 2006 - Statement of Cooperation – between Mayors of Cetinje and Shkodra - 2006. Documents: - Bibliography on Shkodra/Skadar Lake – a list of all existing scientific literature regarding Skadar Lake up to 2001. - Biodiversity Data Base of Shkodra/Skadar Lake – a check list of species registered for Skadar/Shkodra Lake up to 2001. - Report on Risks and Potentials of Skadar/Shkodra Lake – 2001 - the Report identified existing potentials of Skadar Lake and gave an overview of the risks and conflicts that threaten the Lake. Risks and potentials are discussed under the following sections: a) biodiversity – flora and fauna, b) water – chemistry and hydrology, c) geographical aspect, d) cultural and historic monuments and e) economic aspect. - Directory of Environmental NGOs – 2002. - Several Needs Assessments prior to providing technical support to local institutions – 2002/2003 - Objective-Oriented Planning Manual – 2003 – The manual was a follow-up of the workshop on Objective Oriented Planning organized for stakeholders from two countries on how to plan jointly for better management of the Lake. - Environment in the Educational System of Montenegro – 2004 – the publication was developed as a guide book for primary school teachers linking environmental topics from the curriculum with the natural and cultural values that Skadar Lake offers. - Study on Roles and Responsibilities of Skadar Lake Stakeholders – 2004 – the first analysis of stakeholders relevant for Skadar Lake protection and management

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- CD and Publication “Opening Doors Opening Minds” – 2005 – presenting all three cross-border sites involved in the programme REReP 4.3.23 emphasizing importance and necessity of trans-boundary cooperation for better management of shared natural resources. - Local Environmental Action Plans for Cetinje and Shkodra Municipality – 2006. Capacity building: - How to Write Project Proposal for the REC –2001 - Cross-border Cooperation: Vision and its Realization – 2001. – Regional Possibilities for Sustainable Development of the Lake –2002. - How to write Cooperative Project Proposals for the REC –2003 - Environment in the Educational System of Montenegro –2003 - Workshop for Media – How to Make Environmental Story –2004 - Project Cycle Management –2004 - Training workshop in LEAP preparation –2004 - Challenges of Cross-border Monitoring –2005 - Possibilities for Sustainable Tourism Development in Lake region –2005 - Cross-Border Lakes Protection and Management Networks –2005 - Workshop on Habitat Typology –2005 - A number of study visits for to protected areas in Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, Estonia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Those workshops and study visits involved representatives of various national institutions (e.g. PENP, Institute for Nature Protection, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Natural History Museum etc) as well as NGOs, local authorities and other relevant stakeholder groups. Promotion and events: - Numerous promotion materials with the message of protecting and promoting natural and cultural values of the Lake, including numerous posters, leaflets, local newsletters (22 issues) and three-lingual bulletins (three issues) - Brochures on eco- and walking trails around the Lake - Cookbook with recipes from Skadar Lake region - Hand-crafts fairs – in order promote hand-crafting as a possible income generating activity in Skadar Lake region, in both countries, the hand crafts fairs were organized in Shkodra every year. They would gather around 50 producers from both countries living in Lake’s vicinity and offering hand-made (wood, reed, silver, leather, cotton etc) and agricultural home-made products (honey, wine, dry forest fruits etc)

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- Numerous other promotional events (field-trips, public campaigns, art and literature competitions, film and slide shows etc)

Technical support: - Basic field equipment and a terrain vehicle for the National Park Guard Service – 2002-2003

Other: - Two rounds of small grants for local NGOs (2001 for local projects, 2003 for cross-border projects)

Additional information: REC Country Office for Montenegro.

Project name: Strengthening the Institutional Ground for Continued Trans-boundary Cooperation in the Skadar/Shkodra Lake Region – two follow-up phases of REReP project 4.3.23 Implementing agency: Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe - REC Funded by: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation - SDC Duration: 2007-2008, 2008-2009 Budget: I follow up project – 77.640 CHF (~65.000€) II follow up project – 46.000 CHF (~38.000€) Project objectives: For the first follow-up: To create a long lasting institutional ground for trans-boundary cooperation and dialogue, concerning the sustainable management of the Skadar/Shkodra Lake For the second follow-up: Fostering, strengthening and promoting the new trans-boundary institution for the Lake, namely Skadar/Shkodra Lake Forum Short description: After the completion of the REReP 4.3.23, the funding Agency – SDC, has recognised further need for support of the institutional building and strengthening of cooperation from both sides of Skadar Lake border. With that aim, two follow-up projects (2007/2008 and 2008/2009) were pursued, which focused on strengthening of the established Skadar Lake Forum and ensuring the commitment of relevant local and national stakeholders towards continued trans-boundary cooperation. First follow-up consisted of finding modes for formalising Skadar Lake Forum as a formal cross-border body that can play important role in environmental management, while the second follow-up project provided support for the operation of the formalised Forum, its strengthening and promotion. Members of this Forum have subsequently been consulted and included in

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working groups, activities or partnerships within the framework of other projects (like the GIZ project on transboundary spatial planning, Ministry of Culture’s Pilot project on local communities etc). Outputs:

Partnerships: - Trans-boundary Shkodra/ Skadar Lake Forum (TSLF) - Formal registration of the previously established Skadar Lake Forum (2007), through which it achieved legal status in both countries (NGOs - Albania Shkodra Lake Forum & Montenegro Skadar Lake Forum). This was done after series of stakeholders’ workshops and consultations and forum members’ meetings on both sides of the Lake. The two forums signed a Statement of Cooperation. Documents: -Review of the Possibilities for Setting up new Trans-boundary Institution for Skadar/Shkodra Lake – a document that analysed examples of cross-border management structures and various forms of cross-border cooperation. -Further Development of the Possibilities for Setting up New Transboundary Institution for Skadar/Shkodra Lake - prepared for the purpose of finding the most functional option for cross-border cooperation through establishment of a civil society organization. -Strategy, Working programme and Action plan for the Forum (2008) Capacity building: Study visit for the Forum members to the Danube Delta Reserve (2008), as a cross-border protected area, UNESCO and Ramsar site. Promotion and events: -Elaborated and implemented a promotion and communication plan, carried out several promotional events (including the press conference for the establishment of the Forum). -Celebration of the World Wetland Day in 2009 in Shkodra – Trans-boundary Conference “International Wetland Day”. -Informative leaflet “Transboundary Forum of Shkodra/Skadar Lake” prepared for presenting the Forum. -Brochure “Trans-boundary Shkodra/Skadar Lake Forum-Future Challenges” – review of the Lake’s values and the need for the protection and development of the area; review of priority problems and guidelines for response.

Project name: Ecological Integrated Monitoring and Research of Lake Skadar/Shkodra Implementing agency: Scientific network of Universities from Albania, Montenegro, Germany and Austria Duration: 2002-2006

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Short description: The aim of the project was to initiate, implement and promote cross-border cooperation in research and teaching regarding Skadar Lake. Through this project, first environmental monitoring data for more than a decade were gathered jointly on both sides of the Lake, while scientific institutions re-established contact and cooperation. Main outputs: Monitoring data on several environmental parameters, establishment of the University-level cooperation between Montenegro and Albania, establishment of the Eco-educational Centre in Virpazar (research and training facility). Project name: DRIMON - Interdisciplinary Assessment of Water Resources Management in two Trans-boundary Lakes in South Eastern Europe Implementing agency: Partnership between Agricultural University of Tirana, University of Montenegro, Agricultural Institute of Skoplje, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, The Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research Duration: 2006-2009 Short description: Project was implemented in order to provide an interdisciplinary assessment of water resource management, to establish nutrient budgets and address siltation challenges for the lake basin, and assess the status of the lake through dose-response relationships between nutrients and sediment inputs. Project name: Cross-boundary Spatial Planning Lake Shkoder/Skadar Region, Albania and Montenegro Implementing agency: GTZ Funded by: BMZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development Duration: 2006 - 2010 Budget: ~ 800.000€ (in two phases) Project objectives: To improve framework conditions for structured, cross-boundary development of the Lake region; to improve the quality of local, regional planning and steering of community and cross-community development processes in the Lake region; to provide the basis for economically and ecologically sustainable development of the Lake region. Short description: The project was designed and implemented to foster the discussion of future development potentials and management requirements in the region of the Lake with the particular focus on spatial planning and management of the environment. Here, spatial planning was recognised as a topic that can integrate not only one or two sectors, such are environmental protection or tourism, but various aspects of development. The project was based on participatory approach, where the main stakeholders were local authorities and communities of the Lake region.

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Project was implemented through series of meetings, workshops and interviews with representatives of local authorities, communities and other relevant stakeholder groups on both sides of the Lake, in order to produce joint documents regarding development of the region. Outputs:

Documents: - Handbook Architectural Heritage in the Skadar Lake Basin (2007) – an overview of

architecture in the Lake region, intended to support house owners, as well as future investors in renewal and development of buildings, so as to preserve traditional architecture and their valuable environment.

- Concept on cross-border development – a spatial perspective (2009) – This document identifies several regions around Skadar Lake and elaborates their specificities in terms of natural and cultural assets, forms of land-use, economic activities and potentials for future development. The document also provides a comprehensive SWOT analysis of environmental aspects, cultural social and economic situation, infrastructure and institutional framework. Furthermore, the document identifies several sources of conflict between uses of lake resources, provides a list of recommendations for the future interventions, including zoning, integrated management plan, guidelines for different uses with respect to environmental impacts, regional monitoring system, strengthening of the economic base, elaboration of local spatial plans, joint spatial plan with cooperation of responsible authorities on both sides.

- Management plan for the National Park Skadar Lake 2010-2015 – A component of the project supported elaboration of this plan. This was the first time that management planning process of a national park in Montenegro had a participatory element, which was achieved by series of interviews with various local stakeholders, who had an opportunity to express their ideas and views regarding Lake’s management. The ideas were subsequently used for the preparation of the plan by the NP authorities.

- State Study of Location for Vranjina, Donji Murići and Žabljak Crnojevića (2007) – provides spatial perspective on development for those three villages in the Lake region

- Concept on cross-border cooperation of local communities Tuzi (MNE) and the area Malesia Madhe (AL) including three local communities Koplik, Grumiere and Kastrati providing detailed perspective of potential fields of cross-border cooperation and respective mechanisms and instruments, 2009

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Capacity building: - Study visits to protected areas in Croatia (2009) – for representatives of PENP and

local communities, in order to familiarize them with the management planning process

- Study visits to protected areas Austria and Hungary (2010) - for representatives of PENP and local communities, with a focus on trans-boundary protected area management

Technical support:

- Financial contribution to the reconstruction of the marketplace in Virpazar (in cooperation with the local community and the municipality of Bar)

Additional information: GIZ Montenegro

Project name: “Skadar/Shkodra Lake - Eco Bridge between Montenegro and Albania” Implementing organization: The Regional Environmental Centre (REC), through its office in Montenegro Donor: Democracy Commission grant of American Embassy in Podgorica /Montenegro Duration: August 2007-July 2008 Budget: 22.370$ Project objectives: The project aim was to enhance cross-border cooperation between Montenegro and Albania regarding the environmental protection. Purpose of the project was to build networks between secondary school pupils and teachers from the two countries in order to raise their awareness related to environmental protection, with the special emphasis to the protected areas. Short description: Project target were secondary education institutions in Montenegro and Albania. It consisted of training workshops and a week-long educational camp for selected high-school students from both countries. Developing partnership between selected high schools was the first case of the cooperation between Albanian and Montenegrin high schools and their directors, professors and pupils. Outputs:

Partnerships: - During a meeting in 2008, directors of Gymnasiums from Shkodra and Cetinje

signed a Statement of Cooperation, which provided a basis for cooperation between those schools in various fields (culture, art, sport, ecology, etc).

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Capacity building: - Eco camp „Skadar Lake – eco bridge between Albania and Montenegro”, 2008. The

camp gathered over 30 students from Skadar and Cetinje Gymnasiums, where they had an opportunity to learn about environment and is protection from local experts, discuss and exchange knowledge and experience about environmental situation in Montenegro and Albania, focusing on protected areas. Within the framework of this workshop, participants visited National parks Skadar Lake and Lovcen and Bojana river ecosystems.

- Four educational workshops: “Learn so that you can protect”, “Curriculum and Environment” , “Overview of the Environmental Institutions” and “About Nature in Nature“

Additional information: REC Montenegro Project name: Skadar Lake Integrated Ecosystem Management Project (LSIEMP) Implementing agency: World Bank (GEF funds) Duration: 2008-2012 Implementing agency: World Bank Funded by: GEF Duration: 2008 – 2012 Budget: 4.500.000$ Project objectives: The overall objective of the Lake Shkoder Integrated Ecosystem Management Project is to assist the Governments of Albania and Montenegro in achieving more sustainable use of the natural resources of Lake Shkoder and its watershed. Global environment objective of the project is to reduce pollution and conserve Lake and its biodiversity as an internationally important natural habitat, especially for water birds. The main objective of the project is preparation of joint broad-based, integrated, 10-year Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for improving environmental management and supporting sustainable economic use of the natural resources of Skadar Lake and the surrounding watershed area. The SAP is expected to serve as a framework and blueprint to guide and coordinate cross-boundary and cross-sectoral actions of Governments, donors and private sector investors. Short description: This has been, so far, the largest international project regarding management of Skadar Lake resources. It focused on transboundary and integrated approaches to environmental management. The global project development objective(GO) was to maintain and enhance the long-term value and environmental services of Lake Skadar/Shkodra and its natural resources and the Project Development Objective (PDO) is to help establish and strengthen institutional mechanisms for transboundary cooperation

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through joint efforts to improve sustainable management of Lake Skadar/Shkodra. The main beneficiaries were Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Ministry of culture, Ministry of Finance, Public enterprise National parks of Montenegro- National park Skadar Lake, Hydro-meteorological and seismological Institute, Environmental protection agency, Podgorica, Bar and Ulcinj local municipalities in National park Skadar Lake, Fisheries organization Vranjina and Krajina, Aluminium Plant Podgorica in Montenegro and The communities around the Albanian part of the lake, Regional Directorate of Forestry Service of Shkodra, Municipality of Shkodra, University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”, Fishermen Management Organization of Shkodra, NGOs in Albania.

Outputs: Partnerships:

- Skadar/Shkodra Lake Commission (SLC) comprised of 3+3 high-level members has been established and fully operational (regular meetings has been held with decisions/conclusions on various aspects of project outcomes and different matters outside the project framework as well)

- Establishment and operational of the Secretariat for SLC (located in City of Shkodra) and Bilateral working groups (WGs). These WGs include: Planning and Legal; Monitoring and Research; Communications/Outreach and Sustainable Tourism; and Water Management and each member group is comprised of 5+5 members officially delegated from relevant Institutions. Funding is secured from Governments (Montenegrin and Albanian) sources for years beyond 2012.

- WG had monitored/improved and proposed more than 11 joint activities in the framework of LSIEMP

- Three Bilateral agreement has been prepared, agreed and to be signed until end of 2012. Those agreements aimed to maintain sustainability of joint tools and outputs developed during LSIEMP implementation (Agreement on use of Predictive Hydrological Model in Skadar Lake watershed area, Agreement on use of joint database and exchange of information and Agreement on implementing programme of Monitoring for Skadar/Shkodra Lake)

- KAP Project Steering Committee established and 11 members (high level representatives of the stakeholders) held 14 meetings (2011-2012)

- Agreement for the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Skadar-Shkodra Lake” -2008

- Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of environmental protection and sustainable management of natural resources-2010

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Documents: - Trans-boundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) 2006 - was a preparatory study for the

Skadar Lake Integrated Ecosystem Management Project. It was a scientific-technical assessment by which environmental issues affecting international waters in the region were identified and quantified, their causes analyzed, their impacts assessed, and the main actions needed to improve the problem outlined. Its purpose was to provide data and inputs for the preparation of the Joint Strategic Action Plan, as the main project output.

- Social Assessments (SA) 2006 – It is a document that was based on the research into the population living in the Lake area on Montenegrin side. Research methodology included desktop review as well as extensive interviews and household surveys in the field. Document provides data on project stakeholders and gives social and institutional context of the project. This data covers the issues of demographics (population sizes, trends), economic status (employment levels) and main economic activities (tourism, fisheries and agriculture). Based on those findings, it identifies problems and barriers and provides certain recommendations for each of those issues. It was main input document for the preparation of the Joint Social Assessment.

- Joint Strategic Action Plan 2007 - It identifies management and development objectives (environmental, economic and social) for the short, medium and long term periods.

- Joint Social Assessment (2010) - provides data on project stakeholders and gives a social and institutional context for the whole region (Montenegro and Albania). Document provides a set of recommendations and priorities for future actions.

- Fishery management plan 2012– The plan summarizes various data on fisheries and provides expert opinion on existing issues, gaps in knowledge and gives recommendations on future activities regarding this sector.

- Joint Lake Management Strategy including National Fishery Management Plans (2012) – A document that foresees harmonization of management practices from both sides of the Lake, a joint long-term framework for the protection of natural resources (especially fisheries) and joint management of protected areas of Skadar/Shkodra Lake. Document provides an overview of the status of natural resources and proposal for their management, as well as strategic priorities regarding those two topics and an action plan of measures and activities for joint management.

- Joint monitoring program for Skadar/Shkodra Lake 2011– Document developed detailed proposal of short term and long term joint monitoring of the Skadar/Shkodra Lake based on the monitoring requirements from international agreements and respective EU acquis and existing institutional capacities and national monitoring programs in both countries. Based on those, program of joint

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monitoring for the Lake has been proposed and adopted by SLC. Agreement for joint monitoring implementation between respective institutions has been agreed.

- Joint database, with the purpose of collecting and distributing all kind of data related to the Lake, has been created and it is operational and publicly available online. Hosting of database has been secured from IW:LEARN until 2015 while Agreement has been reached (between two Governments) on support for hosting (after 2015) and updating of database, thought joint Secretariat

- Investigation of Shkodra Lake eutrophication level 2012: This document provides overview of the data (desktop and survey) related to the indicator groups for eutrophication and provide deeper insight for eutrophication processes in Skadar Lake as well as some proposals for mitigation.

- Predictive Hydrological Model (PHM) for the Skadar-Shkoder Lake Basin Area (SS-LBA) has been completed and adopted by 4th meeting of the SLC (2011). Hydrological model is joint tool for better understanding of natural water resources conditions and the assessment of the impacts on water resources. PHM is consisted of hardware and specialized software that is powered by the huge amount of hydrological data collected and harmonized for the whole Lake Watershed area. This powerful mathematical model can be used for prediction of impacts of future and existing hydro-infrastructure, prediction of dispersal of pollution and other natural disasters (floods) to the Skadar Lake itself.

- General design for reconstruction of Besac fortress in Virpazar (2011). Based on the Agreement between Montenegro Ministry of culture and EU Delegation in Montenegro, civil works will be financed with the EU funds support. Delegation issued the call for tender for civil works in August, 2012 (for the amount of 0,48 mil EUR) based on the design completed in the framework of LSIEMP.

- KAP hazardous Waste categorization study (including site investigation activities) and Options Analysis Report. Based on those results, Feasibility study/preliminary design for remediation of KAP hazardous waste dump site completed and adopted on 14th meeting of KAP SC. For the first time ever, this set of documents provided quantification and characterization of the hazardous waste deposited at the KAP site, providing at the same time solutions for remediation. Prepared documentation provides the Government with the basis for future civil works.

- Independent Environmental Impact Assessment on the Feasibility study for KAP hazardous dump site has been developed and adopted after two public consultation meetings.

- A joint fish stock assessment (2012) was conducted for the second time after 25 years in Montenegro and for the first time in Albania.

- A legal framework review (2011) was conducted to find the differences between the countries in legal aspects regarding Lake protection monitoring and management

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and based on its findings a harmonization of legislation between countries is underway.

- An inventory of the natural and cultural attractions around the Lake (2011) - conducted to promote the Lake as a tourist attraction nationally and internationally.

- An inventory of the polluted sites and sources around the Lake (2012) was conducted to raise the awareness of the authorities and communities on both sides, in order to eliminate these sources and reduce pollution in general.

- Harmonization and preparation of a bilateral binding agreement (ongoing) which upgrades the existing agreements and MOUs and specifies also the functioning of the joint structures and implementation of all joint management documents.

- The Lake Management Plan (For Albanian part of the Lake) 2011 prepared by the project and signed by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration of Albania and is obligatory for implementation by the SLMNR at least for the next 10 years.

- 5 year business plan and a one year action plan developed to improve fisheries management as assistance to the Albanian Fishery Management Organization.

Capacity building: - International Technical Adviser (ITA) conducted 11 country visits (in course of two

and half years) providing technical assistance to the Government for implementing activities related to the remediation of KAP hazardous waste dump site and capacity building of Environmental Protection Agency for implementation of Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control (IPPC) legislation.

- Two joint public campaigns with various awareness-raising activities (2010-2012) - Capacity building of the NP Skadar Lake administration has been conducted thought

supporting one officer for tourism and one officer for local communities for a year. After a year of being financed from the Project, one officer got permanently employed by the NP (2010)

- Training and strengthening of the SLC thought exchange of experience, organisation of yearly donor meetings and participation in international meetings as well as public awareness campaigns organised in the framework of the project (2010-2012)

- Special training activities for use of PHM model have been conducted for representatives of institutions from both countries (2011)

- Two public consultations held during the preparation of Independent Environmental Impact Assessment on the Feasibility study for KAP hazardous dump site

- Study Tour for the Shkoder/Skadar Lake Commission and Project Coordinators to Lake Constance and to ISRBC, ICPDR and Lake Neusiedl (2009, 2012)

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Technical support: - Five patrol boats and two terrain vehicles for the National Park Skadar Lake -2010 - Fishing equipment for fishery associations Vranjina and Krajina – 2012 - Boats, auto refrigerator, outboard motors, nets, IT equipments and fuel for Albanian

Fishery management Organization -2010 - Rehabilitation of facades in the historic centre of Shkodra 2010-2012 has been

financed through LSIEMP to improve touristic potential of the region. - Lab equipment for targeted transboundary monitoring programs in Albania for

University of Shkodra 2012

Other: - Local public awareness campaign to protect water quality which involved a lot of

stakeholders especially schools, local government and communities around the Lake.

- Restoration of two streams near the lake in Shiroka village to avoid flooding and erosion and reduce pollution.

- Reforestation of Taraboshi Mountain with 45.000 native pine saplings in an area prone to erosion. The works were implemented and supervised in close cooperation with the Directorate of Forestry Service of Shkodra as a direct beneficiary. Unfortunately because of heavy fires in August 27 2011 most of these plants have been burned and it is estimated that the survival rate is only 10-15%.

Additional information: Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro, Project implementation unit & Ministry of environment, forest and water administration of Albania implementation unit. http://iwlearn.net/iw-projects/2133

Project name: Supporting the proposed Transboundary Biosphere Reserve of Lake Skadar/Shkodra area through a participatory approach Implementing agency: Green Home Funded by: Delegation of the European Union to Albania and Montenegro Duration: 2011-2012 Budget: 209.403€ Project objectives: The aim of the project was to contribute to the protection of the biodiversity by promoting the implementation of a trans-boundary protection through capacity building activities and to support the current efforts of the governments to a more

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successful approach and efficient policy, filling up the trans-boundary institutional gaps on the national level based on EU standard request. Short description: Project includes the initiation phase of the nomination process for Skadar Lake designation as a trans-boundary biosphere reserve. According to the studies developed under the framework of the project, Lake Skadar fulfils all necessary criteria to be designated as a UNESCO site under the MAN & Biosphere programme as a trans-boundary biosphere reserve according to the Seville Declaration. Entire process was followed by the official support and approval of the Ministry of sustainable development and tourism in Montenegro. Outputs:

Partnerships: - Memorandum of understanding signed with Trans-boundary Forum of Skadar Lake - Memorandum of understanding signed with Ministry of Environment, Forests and

Water Administration - Memorandum of understanding for the establishment of the Working Group and

Steering Committee for the Skadar Lake Biosphere Reserve

Documents: - Training manual: Towards trans-boundary biosphere reserve of Skadar Lake

approved by UNESCO office in Venice - Integrated study to support designation process, containing necessary data for the

nomination form for the Montenegrin side of the Lake - Integrated study to support designation process, for the Albanian side of the Lake - Draft version of Nomination form for designation of the proposed site

Capacity building: - Two trainings/workshops held in order to acquaint stakeholders with the criteria,

benefits and designation process for UNESCO sites

Promotion and events: - Promotional tour on the Skadar Lake for the journalists - Documentary film on the initiative broadcasted on national television - Public raising events (tree press conferences, more than 20 newspaper articles and

more than 20 TV project related appearances) Additional information: Green Home

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Project name: Sharing waters (Skadar Lake component) Implementing agency: WWF Med PO/Green Home/Euronatur Funded by: MAVA Foundation Duration: 2007-2010 Budget: 100.673€ (for Skadar Lake component only) Project objectives: Maintaining the water level variation as a critical aspect of safeguarding Skadar Lake biodiversity

- Involving NGOs and stakeholders on both sides of the Lake in decision making process by creating of Environmental Group and planning joint activities

- Ensuring that biodiversity concerns and full economic impacts are considered when planning for new and operating existing water infrastructures on Morača and Drin Rivers

- Building of capacity of civil society in both Albania and Montenegro to engage in discussions and decision-making regarding management of the Lake and its waters

Short description: The aim of the project was fostering integral water basin management of Skadar Lake in both Montenegro and Albania, and addressing the most urgent threats arising from water infrastructures (dams, water regulations, drainage) that might have an impact on the Lake biodiversity. Outputs: Partnerships:

- Established Working Group consisting of environmentally-orientated NGOs whose members were included during the entire implementation of the project

Documents:

- Environmental risk assessment of the Morača dams: fish fauna of Morača river canyon and Skadar Lake

- Study of the Water Regime of the Morača River and Skadar Lake - Environmental risk assessment of the Morača dams: ornithofauna of Morača river

canyon and Skadar Lake Capacity building:

- Numerous trainings for civil society organizations in the field of water management in order to be more engaged in discussions and decision making process regarding management of the Lake and potential infrastructure affecting its ecosystem

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Promotion and events: - Strong public campaign that resulted in participation of the largest number of NGOs

on public debate concerning construction of hydro power plant and dams on River Morača

- Public awareness campaign “Be wise, change the plan” for a change in the proposed plan for construction of four dams on River Morača. Campaign collected 13.000 citizen signatures

- Documentary film “Future of Morača” - Media activities (newspaper articles, TV appearances)

Additional information: http://mediterranean.panda.org/about/med_freshwater/skadar/ Green Home, Montenegro, http://www.greenhome.co.me/

Project name: Dinaric Arc Sustainable Hydropower Initiative (DASHI) Implementing agency: WWF, Green Home Funded by: MAVA foundation Duration: 2011-2013 Budget: 191.707€ (Skadar Lake component) Project objectives: The aim of the project is to ensure the conservation of priority habitats (Skadar Lake, Neretva and Cetina rivers) in the Dinaric Arc and to preserve them from destruction from hydropower development, through a dynamic engagement and active advocating for sustainable water management in the Dinaric Arc. Short description: Within the project the major infrastructural projects are observed in their preparation or development phases. The project also tries to influence the way water managers make decisions, investors make investments and representatives of civil society participate in the decision making process. Outputs (only those relevant for Skadar Lake):

Partnerships: - Group of experts for e-flow assessment Documents: - Guideline for sustainable hydropower development in Montenegro - An analysis of national water legislation – including the assessment of the

opportunities to mainstream environmental-flow (e-flow) into Montenegrin legislation

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- Guideline for investors for SEA report development and proper implementation of SEA procedures for HE plans

- E-flow assessment methodology for Montenegro Capacity building: - Training for performing e-flow assessment Other: - Data collection for two pilot rivers (Obodska and Cijevna)

Additional information: Green Home

Project name: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity at Lakes Prespa, Ohrid and Shkodra/Skadar (CSBL) Implementing agency: GIZ (Partnered with Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration of Albania, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of Macedonia, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro Funded by: BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation, Germany) Duration: 2012 - 2014 Budget: 2.000.000€ Project objectives: To improve the implementation of legislation, regulations and management plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at lakes Prespa, Ohrid and Shkodra/Skadar. Short description: CSBL programme will focus on the actual implementation of environmental monitoring and management practices at the Lake region. The project will be based on an inclusive, participatory multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach, with a strong focus on sub regional collaboration and exchange. Envisaged measures comprise of providing technical assistance for fauna and flora monitoring, advising on financial mechanisms for environmental monitoring, raising public awareness on biodiversity conservation, facilitating dialogue among fishery stakeholders, advising on concepts for sustainable fisheries, and authority and institutional capacity building in regards to the implementation of the EU Water Framework and Habitats Directives. The project deals with four main topics: monitoring of fauna and flora in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000), fish and fishery management, wetland protection and restoration and Lake characterization and definition of environmental objectives under the EU Water Framework Directive

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Outputs (only those relevant for Skadar Lake): The project is in early phases and in its first 6 months, the focus has been on establishing relevant partnerships, contracting service providers, procurement of relevant equipment for partners, and adoption of joint programs protocols for monitoring.

Partnerships: - Memorandum of Understanding between project Ministry for Agriculture and Rural

Development , National Park Skadar, Environmental Protection Agency, Institute for Hydrometeorology and Seismology

- Technical working groups on Flora and Fauna Monitoring, Fish Monitoring and Fisheries and Lake Characterization and Water Framework Directive

Documents: - Joint monitoring programs, protocols and schemes for flora and fauna, fishes and

fisheries, water quality (ongoing). - Joint monitoring methodologies for sampling and data analyzing (ongoing).

Capacity building: - In the near future, the project envisages capacity building for local fishermen’s

associations (workshops related to sustainable fishery, fishery policies and management schemes, fund rising, etc), as well as specific training workshops to biodiversity monitoring experts from NP Skadar Lake. The project will support all monitoring teams to conduct monitoring for period of one year and with protocols and equipment make a baseline for future environmental monitoring

- Several study visits are planned within the wider, regional scope of the project

Technical support: - Project has provided equipment for monitoring in the field, consisting of a boat

engine, digital cameras and telescope, GPS devices, outdoor clothes, platform for pelicans, technical equipment for tracking of otter and ultrasound bat detector with supporting equipment, for the National Park Skadar Lake as beneficiary.

- Environmental Protection Agency's Unit for Monitoring has been provided with computers, GPS devices, and a set of photographic equipment for biodiversity recording.

- The project has provided equipment for sampling (Van Veen Bottom sampler and Ruttner bottle) and laboratory equipment for analysis of physical, chemical and biological water quality parameters – beneficiary is Institute for Hydrometeorology and Seismology

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- Fishery monitoring equipment for field work and required nets according to EU standards are provided for both countries.

Additional information: Conduction of surveillance monitoring of flora, fauna, fishery and water quality on the Skadar Lake will start in January/February 2013 and is covering period of one year. The precondition for monitoring is calibration workshops for all covered fields. GIZ Montenegro

3.3. National-level projects

Project name: Strengthening of the Protected Area System in Montenegro (PAS) Implementing agency: UNDP Montenegro Funded by: GEF Duration: 2010 – ongoing Budget: 1.000.000$ Project objectives: This is a nation-wide project with an aim to expand and rationalize the protected area system in order to ensure better habitat representation and more secure conservation status, as well as to strengthen the capacity of protected area institutions to more effectively manage a representative system of protected areas. Short description: The project, which is endorsed by the Montenegrin Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, consists of several activities that are designed in order to achieve an ecologically representative scientifically-based Protected Area System (PAS), that adequately conserves representative samples of the country’s marine, freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity. This is done through the protected area (PA) gap assessment, establishment of new protected areas with management approaches based on stakeholder participation and principles of sustainable development, as well as capacity building in relevant institutions involved in PA design and management. This project is complementary with the other UNDP –GEF project “Catalyzing financial sustainability of PA system in Montenegro”. Outputs (only those relevant for Skadar Lake):

Partnerships: - Project Steering Committee (2010) – a body consisting of representatives of

Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture and rural development, Agency for environmental protection and UNDP.

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Documents: - Protected area gap assessment (ongoing - to be finished by the end of 2012) –

Document, with an associated GIS database, will provide information on knowledge level and distribution of important species and habitats, as well as the identification of gaps in species and habitat protection on the national level as well as list priorities for future conservation and design of a more representative system of protected areas.

Capacity building:

- Masters course on Protected Areas and Rural Development (established 2011 at University of Donja Gorica) – a postgraduate course designed as interdisciplinary training. The first generation of students were employees of institutions relevant for protected areas of Montenegro (PENP, MSDT, Ministry of Rural Development and Agriculture, as well as some NGOs), which were awarded scholarships by the UNDP. Currently, about 15 master theses are being developed on various aspects of PA management and financing.

- Specialist degree programme on protected areas (established 2012 University Mediterranean) – a postgraduate course designed as an interdisciplinary training. The first generation has enrolled in autumn 2012.

- Introduction of the job standard for protected area rangers (ongoing-expected to be finished by the end of 2012) – in collaboration with the national Centre for Expert Education, a job standard and training and examination programme is being developed for the job position of a protected area ranger. This programme is in the process of being endorsed on a national level. It is expected that once it is endorsed, existing protected area rangers (including those at Skadar Lake) will receive additional and regular training for various skills improvements, and that future employees of protected areas will be adequately trained with skills for specific tasks that the job of PA ranger requires.

Additional information: UNDP office Montenegro Project name: Catalyzing Financial Sustainability of Protected Area System in Montenegro (PAF) Implementing agency: UNDP Funded by: GEF Duration: 2010 – ongoing (expected to finish in 2013) Budget: 1.000.000, 00 USD Project objectives: To develop and strengthen the capacity of Montenegrin protected area system as well as individual protected areas to effectively secure and administer funds for their activities directed towards nature protection

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Short description: The total funding currently available for the planning and administration of the protected area system (PAS) of Montenegro is estimated to be at least 50% below what is required for its effective management. With the envisaged expansion of the PAS, this funding gap is expected to increase even further. Activities of this ongoing project are directed towards relevant national institutions as well as a range of other stakeholder groups and are focused on strengthening their capacities for fund raising and resource mobilization, diversification of funding opportunities and development of more cost-efficient systems for management and administration of funds for those protected areas. The project will also consider and work on the legal and policy environment for improvement of financial sustainability of PAs in Montenegro. Project is endorsed by Montenegrin Ministry of Tourism and Sustainable Development. Outputs (only those relevant for Skadar Lake):

Partnerships: - Working group on design and implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services

options in Montenegro. This Group includes one representative from the National Parks, from Ministry of finance, and one from Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism.

Documents: - Economic value of protected areas in Montenegro (2011) – This study provides the

first economic valuation of the protected area system in Montenegro. Five protected areas were selected, Skadar Lake included. Standard economic methods for valuation of ecosystem services has been applied, and although input data were deficient, study estimated that those five protected areas contribute about €68mil.per year to Montenegrin economy. This study, together with the study that provided input data (Economic Valuation of Montenegro’s Protected Area System) provides information on economic values of various biodiversity elements and ecosystem service in the Skadar Lake region.

- National Protected Area Financial Plan (2012) – Document analyses current financing of the Protected area system in Montenegro. It covers a number of aspects, the most important of which are the analysis of protected area costs, the review of different income sources, the determination of current and potential resource use, the identification of cost-reduction opportunities; and determining the financial gap. The study gives a set of recommendations for diversifying the financing mechanisms for the protected area system.

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Capacity building: - Masters course on Protected Areas and Rural Development (established 2011 at

University of Donja Gorica) – a postgraduate course designed as interdisciplinary training. Emphasis was given to PA financing aspects.

Additional information: UNDP office Montenegro 3.4. Projects concerned primarily with Skadar Lake region

3.4.1. Cultural heritage – oriented projects

Project name: The Skadar Lake Local Development Pilot Project (LDPP) Implementing agency: Council of Europe, through consortium of national institutions led by Ministry of Culture Funded by: Contributions from local partners (ministries, institutions, municipalities) Duration: 2007 - ongoing Budget: ~200.000€ (up to date - project has specific funding arrangements, funds vary from year to year depending on activities and contributions from local partners) Project objectives: The project aims to help local and national institutions, NGOs and local communities to identify the long term social and economic development potential of the territory, based on natural assets and cultural heritage Short description: Project is a part of the regional initiative of the Council of Europe, in which nine countries in the region are taking part. The main objective of the project is for the countries of South–Eastern Europe to design joint framework for local development based on sustainable use and valorisation of natural and cultural heritage, with an emphasis on mid- and long-term effects of economic and political interventions. In Montenegro, it has been endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Media, which selected Skadar Lake region as a pilot territory within this regional initiative. Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with partners at a national level (Ministry for Sustainable Development and Tourism; Ministry of Human and Minority Rights; Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs), local level (Municipalities of Podgorica, Cetinje and Bar), as well as other organisations and institutions (NGOs, social and nature-protection institutions, tourism and cultural

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organisations, local businesses, the media and local communities) designed and implemented series of activities within the project. The project is based on participatory approach using methodology designed by the Council of Europe. Funding of the project comes from contribution of all those partners in money or in-kind, depending on project activities and needs. Outputs:

Partnerships: - Political statement (2005) – signed by three ministers (for culture, minorities and

environmental protection), accepting an obligation to implement this project - Inter-ministerial Commission (2006), the responsible management structure of

the project) – consists of high-ranking officials of several Ministries (for culture, minorities and environmental protection) as well as municipalities of Podgorica, Bar and Cetinje.

- Steering Committee (2006) – responsible for endorsing decisions on project implementation. It gathers representatives of Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Resources; Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Telecommunications; Ministry for Economic Development, Secretariat of EU integrations

- Thematic working groups (2007-2010) – gathered representatives of various local institutions and organisations (NGOs, local authorities, communities etc). The groups were on the following five topics: local communities; natural resource and environmental protection; cultural and ethnographic heritage; tourism, sport and gastronomy; agriculture and fisheries.

Documents: - Preliminary Technical Assessments of four important cultural heritage sites -

Lesendro, Besac, Grmožur and Balšići Summerhouse in Godinje village (2008). Those Assessments present full project proposals prepared for submission to adequate donors

- Brochure about local communities ‘People and the lake’ (2009) – presents six local communities around the Lake, and gives on overview of their potentials, problems and priority projects for future implementation.

- The Territorial Diagnosis (2010) – document was based on the inputs from the five thematic working groups. Document provides general overview, SWOT analyses and sets of recommendations regarding different aspects of Skadar Lake (local communities, culture, nature, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism )

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Promotion and events: - First Montenegrin edition of the international event European Heritage Days,

organised on Skadar Lake under the title ‘Skadar Lake fortresses – unexplored heritage’ (2008)

- Annual Festival of Culture and Nature (2008 – 2011) – the festival engaged local communities and all those working in tourism sector around the Lake. Those festivals were well attended and raised much awareness in general public about natural, cultural and social assets of the lake and its tourist potentials and offers

- Documentary film on old local crafts ‘Protectors of the old crafts’ (2010) - Tastes of the Lake (2012) – trilingual cookbook with recipes from Skadar Lake

region

Additional information: Project Implementation Unit, Ministry of Culture Project name: Cultural Value for Sustainable Territorial Governance and Marketing - CULTEMA Implementing agency: Ministry of Culture Funded by: EU (IPA project) and contribution from national partner Duration: 2011-ongoing Budget: 130.000€ Project objectives: To increase the attractiveness of investing into cultural heritage through establishment of new institutional capacities and implementation of innovative management models (through which administrative, social and economic barriers between cultural heritage and potential investors would be reduced). Short description: Project includes several groups of activities – those related to communication and promotion (development of joint communication strategy that will define modes of disseminating project outputs), those on research, evaluation and design of pilot projects (selecting five pilot areas with cultural assets that will be assessed and evaluated in order to prepare detailed business models for attracting investments for their rehabilitation), those for management of cultural assets and participative process (defining participatory process mechanisms regarding the use of cultural assets, and improvement of public participation and raising of awareness for cultural heritage integration into developmental plans), those on marketing of cultural assets (so that they can be adequately presented to potential donors), and finally a set of strategic activities that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. Additional information: Project Implementation Unit, Ministry of Culture

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3.4.2. Economic development – oriented projects

Project name: Development of tourist sites in the Montenegrin hinterland Implementing agency: GIZ (Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, and PENP) Funded by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financing from Austrian Development Cooperation and Austrian Cooperation with Eastern Europe Duration: 2006-ongoing Budget: N/A Project objectives: The project aims to shift focus of tourism development from the coastal areas of Montenegro to a number of selected sites in the hinterlands, in order to contribute to an increase in income generation from tourism at those sites. Short description: The project covers three locations – Plav, Cetinje and Skadar Lake. On those sites, the project promotes local tourist organisations, and supports cooperation between all the players in the tourist industry in developing and marketing tourism products. Activities of the project include design of tourism development plans and introduction of destination management, promotion of hiking and mountain biking and other nature-oriented forms of tourism (kayak, birdwatching), various forms of capacity building and support for tourism workers in those regions. Outputs (only those relevant for Skadar Lake):

Capacity building: - Training for interpreters of natural and cultural heritage of Skadar Lake (2008) –

interdisciplinary training programme for about 30 participants. Programme included modules on nature, cultural heritage, hospitality, guiding and interpretation. Attendants subsequently started offering their guiding and interpretation services to tourists.

Technical support: - Construction and equipping of the visitors’ centre in Virpazar (also hosting the office

of Local Tourist Office of Bar municipality) - Design, clearance, demarcation and signposting of a network of hiking and biking

trails around the Lake. The network includes 9 hiking and 7 cycling trails that are regularly maintained by the National Park.

Promotion and events: - Publication of the brochure on wine trails - Publication of Tourist Catalogue of the Region (with information on tourist

attractions, accommodation, catering facilities and such) 2012.

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Other: - Establishment of a wine trail around the Lake and Cetinje. Local vintners have

invested in developing their wine cellars and hold wine-tasting events. As a result, the first travel agencies on the coast are offering trips to the vineyards. Sixteen vintners have already registered as entrepreneurs since the start of the project.

- Hiking and biking map of the Skadar Lake region (with description of routes) 2009.

Additional information: GIZ Montenegro

Project name: Skadar Lake - New Bird Watching Destination Implementing agency: Regional Environmental Centre for South-Eastern Europe (REC) Funded by: Elliot Ellis Foundation, Switzerland Duration: Sep-Dec2007 Budget: N/A Project objectives: To improve the existing tourist offer in the region, by establishing and promoting the Lake as a bird-watching destination. Short description: Improvement of tourist offer in the region through the development of bird-watching on the Lake through this project was achieved through increase of capacities of the NPSL, promotion publications and events and establishment of ornithological networks.

Outputs: Documents: - Brochure “Skadar Lake Birds” - includes the identification key and also serves both

as promotional and educational material for birdwatchers. Technical support: - Purchase of a boat with an engine for the National Park Skadar Lake Other: - Organised visits of Swiss ornithologists to Skadar Lake (2008), for the purpose of

networking, information exchange and promotion of Skadar Lake birdwatching on the international “market”

Additional information: REC Montenegro

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Project name: Green Management Implementing agency: GIZ and Algonquin Institute Funded by: N/A Duration: 2010-ongoing Budget: N/A Project objectives: To raise awareness and improve environmental protection in the local population of the Lake, as well as to improve tourist services offered by local entrepreneurs in this region. Short description: Green management is an internationally certified program for training and implementation of measures for environmental protection. In Skadar Lake region, it targeted local tourist entrepreneurs. The project consists of three segments oriented towards networking and capacity building of restaurant owners, wine-cellar owners and those offering boat tours on the Lake. Outputs:

Partnerships: - Formation of the Association of ship-owners of the Lake in 2010. The Association

endorsed an agreement on the set of activities and measures for reducing environmental impact from the boats, which entitles them to tax subsidies from the National Park.

Additional information: GIZ Montenegro Project name: Water routes Implementing agency: GIZ Funded by: N/A Duration: 2012-ongoing Budget: N/A Project objectives: To create conditions for development of kayaking as a form of tourist offer on the Lake. Short description: The project involves design and creation of the network of water trails for kayaking, as well as set of rules and regulations related to implementation of this water sport. Outputs:

Technical support: - Purchase of 12 kayaks with accompanying equipment for NP Skadar Lake,

establishment of water routes, set of promotional materials. - Construction of two resting points

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Promotion and events: - Brochures for promoting kayaking on the Lake

Other:

- Three water trails for kayak on the Lake

Additional information: GIZ Montenegro

Project name: Nature for future Implementing agency: PENP (in partnership with DN County Regional Development Agency DUNEA from Croatia) Funded by: EU (IPA project) Duration: 2011 – ongoing (till January 2013) Budget: 404.655€ (total) Project objectives: Overall objective of the project is to contribute to the integration of the economy in border areas and to enhance cooperation in the field of tourism through the development of recognisable joint tourist offer based on common environmental and cultural heritage and improvement the competitiveness of the local tourism economy. Specific objective is to enhance touristic offer in cross boarder territory through touristic valorisation of natural protected resources by introducing them to visitors as a joint touristic offer of region. Short description: The project covers several sites in Montenegro and Croatia, and through different activities builds partnerships and networking between institutions on the cross-border level, delivers joint analysis of various aspects of biodiversity and promotes the joint concern regarding nature protection. Outputs (only those relevant for Skadar Lake):

Partnerships: - Steering committee (representatives of two partner organisations – PENP and

DUNEA from Croatia) Documents: - Joint Study on biodiversity of protected areas is underway. The Study will include

an overview of previous research on biodiversity of protected areas within the project, with an emphasis on conservation and sustainable valorisation of the underground sites

- Final report of the first field research on caves

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Capacity building: - Study visit of delegation of the National parks of Montenegro to the protected

areas in Croatia Promotion and events: - Promotional catalogue and a map of the region are being prepared Technical support: - Protected and valorised paths to two caves - Setting up of a biodiversity hiking trail in Godinje village - Construction of a gazebo on one viewpoint, equipped with observation telescope Other: - Initiation of cave-research (biological, chemical and physical properties,

archaeology). Initial research consisted of 20 days of data collecting in the field Additional information: In the next phase, the Project envisages construction of another viewpoint, educational trail and preparation of a documentary on cross-border cooperation, which will be presented on the final conference. Contact: PENP

Project name: Valorisation of the Ethno-Gastronomic Heritage in Shkoder/Skadar Lake Implementing agency: Centre for Sustainable Tourism Initiatives (CSTI) in Montenegro, Centre for Rural Studies & International Agriculture (CERAI) and the Permaculture Resource Centre (PRC) in Albania. Funded by: EU (IPA funds), con-financing the Ministry of Culture in Montenegro and NGO CERAI from Spain. Duration: 2011 - 2012 Budget: 86.438€ (on Montenegrin side) Project objectives: Revival of sustainable socio-economic development in the cross-border region between Albania and Montenegro, by promoting a new model of integrated tourism, based on the quality local products, services and natural, historical and cultural heritage. The specific objective is the development of cross-border tourism product in the form of the ethno-gastronomic route in Skadar Lake region. Short description: The project had several activities designed in order to identify tourist products based on traditional cultural heritage, to stimulate and increase the quality of tourist services through capacity building programmes, to establish the Shkoder/Skadar Lake Ethno-Gastronomic Route.

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Outputs: Capacity building:

- The 8-day Gastronomy Training, conducted in order to help the ethno-gastro members (small businesses, hosts and producers), to improve their products and services by expanding their knowledge of ingredients.

- The 2-day Ethnography Workshop, aimed at increasing the marketability of the route’s assets and ensuring that the revitalisation of the ethnographic heritage is accessible and sustainable.

- Experience-exchange study trips between Albania and Montenegro

Promotion and events: - Promotional Fair in the cross-border project area (September 2011). Producers

from Montenegrin and Albanian side of the Lake exhibited homemade products. - Promotional material for the route (logo, cookbook, brand/trademark, guides, maps,

posters) - Ethno-Gastronomic Heritage Route of Shkoder/Skadar Lake website

Other:

- Establishment of the ethno-gastronomic route around Skadar Lake, promotional material and events for this route

Additional information: Centre for Sustainable Tourism Initiatives www.ethnogastro-balkan.net

3.4.3. Projects for technical support to National Park Skadar Lake

Implementing agency: USAID-IRD Duration: 2004-2007 Short description: Two projects and several activities were implemented in order to provide National Park Skadar Lake with infrastructure and technical equipment for development of tourism activities. Main outputs: Construction of four bird watching platforms, one floating platform for bird nesting, two thematic visitors’ centres (in Murići and Rijeka Crnojevića), equipping of the educational trail in Lipovik Additional information: NP Skadar Lake

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3.5. Summary on the implemented projects As it can be seen from the above list, there have been a large number of projects that were implemented in the Skadar Lake region in the past decade, bringing substantial support to the protection, management and development in the region. However, despite those efforts and investments, serious gaps and negative trends in the ecosystems and social situation remain (refer to sections 1.3.2. and 5. in Study 2). Some of those gaps can be summarised in the table 2. Table 2 – Assessment of the gaps in coverage by different projects implemented in the Lake region

Issue Well covered Not so well-covered Topics Tourism

Biodiversity monitoring Environmental monitoring Awareness raising

Agriculture Pollution effects Fisheries

Geographic coverage Crmnica region

Zeta valley Krajina region Riječka nahija region Wider watershed

Biodiversity Birds Fish

Plants Other animal groups Habitats

Stakeholders PENP – NP Skadar Lake MSDT Private businesses Educational institutions

MARD Local communes Industries Media

Although no systematic evaluation of the projects has been carried out, it can be concluded that the most successful project (in terms of the impact) were not necessarily those with the largest grants, but those that were transparent and fostered participation through engaging a wide spectre of stakeholders. An overlap in activities and outputs between the projects is evident, and same topics and issues were dealt with in similar manner by several projects. One of the reasons for this is that there has been no established central hub where all the project information and documents would be gathered and disseminated to be used for planning and preparing project proposals and investments. Therefore, one of the main recommendations would be to create a central database of all the projects and their outputs, and to coordinate the activities of various organisations as well as to make sure that they are in line with the activities and priorities set up in the National Park’s management plan and other strategic

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documents. This would remove duplication of efforts and assist a more efficient expenditure of financial and human resources. It is also evident that a large number of cooperative bodies, partnerships and platforms have been established, but they are usually linked to the project so that their mandate ends with the project. Alternatively, those platforms could be strengthened and their work made self-sustaining, so that they can play advisory or other active role in the region management and conservation.

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4. References:

Map of Resources (2011) – Ministry of Economy, Government of Montenegro Mrdak 2009 - Environmental risk assessment of the Morača dams: fish fauna of Morača River canyon and Skadar Lake, Report committed by WWF MedPO and Green Home under the framework of Sharing Water Project - Skadar Lake component Mrdak D., Petrović D., Katnić A., Erceg M. (2011) – Integrated study to support the designation of the trans-boundary Lake Skadar/Shkodra as Biosphere Reserve in the frame of the project “Supporting the proposed trans-boundary Biosphere Reserve of Lake Skadar/Shkodra Area through a participatory approach” PENP Annual Report (2011) - http://www.nparkovi.me/sajt/o-nama/dokumenti Strategy for Fishery Development and Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Common Fishery Policy of EU (2006) – Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Resources, Government of Montenegro

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