Project number:

LIFE22-NAT-HR-Improve River LIFE/101114250

 

Duration of the project:

1. 9. 2023. – 31. 8. 2028.

 

Total value:

4,736,406 €

 

EU co-financing:

3,552,302 €

 

Coordinating beneficiary:

Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (Croatia)

 

Partners:

Croatian waters (Croatia), Faculty of Science (PMF) of the University of Zagreb (Croatia), Protected Areas of Nature Public Institution “Sea and Karst” (Croatia)

 

Project description:

With this rather ambitious project, we are aiming to save from the brink of extinction the species Salmothymus obtusirostris (Softmouth trout), an endangered and endemic species present in the EU exclusively in Croatia. To achieve this objective, we intended to make the key improvements in the condition of specific habitat features, primarily by ensuring river connectivity in Natura 2000 sites by removing artificial barriers in the area of species distribution, in combination with other conservation measures in terms of ecological requirements of the species. Improvement of habitat conditions is crucial for improving the degree of conservation of the species on 2 selected Natura 2000 sites, and the improvement of species conservation status on a biogeographical level in the future. The success of the project is guaranteed through close collaboration with carefully selected project partners. Hrvatske vode (Croatian waters – CW) is the competent authority for public water management and implementing the Water Framework Directive in Croatia. The experts from Faculty of Science (FoS) focus on satisfying the conservation needs of the species as well as hydromorphological aspects of habitats improvements. The Public Institution “Sea and Karst” (PI -SK) responsible for the management of the 2 Natura 2000 sites will continue with identified management activities after the project end, but from a much more favourable position to fulfil the ecological requirements of S. Obtusirostrs and improve its conservation. The project will improve the cooperation between nature conservation and water management sectors, that will ensure an improvement of species and habitats management in the future and that will provide a foundation for significant improvement of river connectivity on national level until 2030.