ZAGREB, January 6, 2020 - The gilt-head sea bream also called Orata and the sea bass also known by its Italian name branzino are exported more and more from Croatia to the European Union's market, while the top exporting fish from Croatia to Japan is tuna, according to the data provided by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) on Monday.

In the first eight months of 2019, Croatia exported fresh or chilled Atlantic bluefin tuna in the amount of 2,800 tonnes, worth 31.2 million euro, as against 33.9 million euro for 3,000 tonnes exported in the whole of 2018.

In 2018, the value of the export of fish and other seafood products, including Ostracods, sometimes known as seed shrimps, and molluscs, was 170.4 million euro (47,000 tonnes). Of that amount, the export of fresh or chilled fish made up 108 million euro (21,000 tonnes).

Apart from tuna, which is exported to Japan in large quantities, 4,300 of fresh or chilled branzino were exported to the European Union in 2018, and the value of this export stood at 26.4 million euro.

The export value of 3,800 tonnes of gilt-head sea bream was 23.6 million euro.

Also, Croatia exported sardines in the amount of 4,500 tonnes, worth 3.6 million euro, and 2,200 tonnes of anchovies, worth 3.5 million euro.

In the first eight months of 2019, the total value of the export of fish and seafood products came to 121.1 million euro.

The major markets for the export are Japan, as the most important destination for Croatian tuna, while within the EU, Italy, Slovenia and Spain are the main export destinations for fresh and salted fishery products.

More fisheries news can be found in the Business section.

December 21, 2018 — Croatian fish can be hard to find outside of Dalmatia. Well, the Viennese won't harbor that complaint much longer.

December 18, 2018 — The marine ecosystem is threatened throughout the Mediterranean — including the Adriatic — experts warned HRT. A large number of commercial Croatian fish species are barely surviving. Experts suggest protective measures would help stem the dying out of the species left in the sea.

"Ninety-three per cent of all estimated fish stocks or resources that exist in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Adriatic Sea, are in a very bad state, meaning that people have been able to push the marine ecosystems to the limit," says Danijel Kanski, a program manager for the World Wildlife Fund Adria.

The scampi population, for example, has taken a significant hit. The shellfish have all but disappeared from fishing nets. Their place at the table usurped by the abundant and much cheaper shrimp.

Even professionals who live off of wild-caught Croatian fish are seeking protective measures, according to Petar Baranović, a Sibenik-based fisherman with a marine fishery degree.

"There is one 'no-take' zone - with an absolute ban on fishing in the international waters of the Jabuka Canyon," he said. "It's showing results that are visible in the recovery of scampi and hake."

The Jabuka Canyon is a hatchery for many marine species, including scampi. The ban on fishing led to an immediate rejuvenation.

Full nets are now more frequent, and the specimens larger.

Changing the mentality, education and cooperation of fishermen, science and the responsible ministries is key, experts suggest. But the bigger problem remains illegally-caught fish, which get sold directly to caterers off the books.

"We have 12 fishing inspectors on the entire Croatian coast, and we have 250 landing ports along the Croatian Adriatic coast," Kanski said.

Concern continues to grow over the most important type of commercial Croatian fish - sardines. Protective measures were instituted, including an annual ban during the winter.

On December 16 this year, the ban on fishing sardines was introduced for larger vessels. Smaller boats, however, can continue fishing until Christmas Eve.

Whether the protective measures will work remains to be seen. But experts suggest even small; targeted bans will make a big difference.

Follow news about the Croatian fishing industry on TCN's dedicated page.