ZAGREB, April 18 (Hina) - April is the month when the fishing of tunas begins in Croatia. Under a decision of the International Commission for the Conservation of Tunas (ICCAT), in 1999 Croatia has the right to fish 950 tonnes of this
most expensive fish. In order to protect tunas, it is not allowed to catch this species by nets from May 1 to June 1, and from June 1 to August 1 the longlining with ships longer than 24 metres is forbidden as well. This annual tuna quota for Croatia is very good, said an official in the Croatian fishing department, Ante Dujmusic. This means that Croatia is participating with almost three percent in the world annual quota of 32,000 tonnes this year. Next year, we will have a little lower quota, 876 tonnes, but it is still three times higher than in 1995. In order to win relatively favourable quotas, Croatia has had to meet several conditions and become a membe
ZAGREB, April 18 (Hina) - April is the month when the fishing of
tunas begins in Croatia.
Under a decision of the International Commission for the
Conservation of Tunas (ICCAT), in 1999 Croatia has the right to fish
950 tonnes of this most expensive fish.
In order to protect tunas, it is not allowed to catch this species by
nets from May 1 to June 1, and from June 1 to August 1 the longlining
with ships longer than 24 metres is forbidden as well.
This annual tuna quota for Croatia is very good, said an official in
the Croatian fishing department, Ante Dujmusic.
This means that Croatia is participating with almost three percent
in the world annual quota of 32,000 tonnes this year.
Next year, we will have a little lower quota, 876 tonnes, but it is
still three times higher than in 1995.
In order to win relatively favourable quotas, Croatia has had to
meet several conditions and become a member of the ICCAT, based in
Madrid.
This is necessary for the fishing of highly migratory species such
as swordfish and tuna. They are not under the direct sovereignty of
a country, but under the control of international organisations.
For Croatia, the Madrid-based ICCAT determines tuna quotas. In case
a country fails to respect rules set by this commission, it can face
sanctions such as not being allowed to sell fish.
Croatia mainly exports tuna on the Japanese market. In the two past
years, 800 tonnes of this fish was exported from Croatia into Japan.
This enabled earnings between 12 and 15 million dollars per year.
Since 1995 Croatia has been more active in this business after some
returnees from Australia began fishing tuna. Now the country has
four fisheries, and expects another two soon. This business created
jobs for about 500 people, and some 30 million dollars have been
invested in it so far.
(hina) ms