An initiative by the Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Montenegro, supported by SPA/RAC, to enhance reporting of elasmobranch bycatch.
Sharks and rays are among the most threatened marine species in the Mediterranean. In Montenegro, the lack of data on their occurrence and incidental catches poses a major challenge for conservation. Fishers are often the first to encounter them, making their contribution through citizen science indispensable.
Until now, local reporting initiatives have been informal and lacked visibility. Strengthening their visibility and providing clear guidance are key to improving both the quantity and quality of information collected.
“The objective of our project - Strengthening Citizen Science for Shark Conservation in Montenegro - is to strengthen citizen science efforts related to elasmobranchs by providing educational materials and giving an identity to existing citizen science initiatives”, explains the Institute of Marine Biology.
The project focused on three main actions to build long-term citizen engagement:
- Manual on incidental catches: A 40-page guide in Montenegrin was developed, providing practical information on the importance of sharks and rays, the legal framework for protected species, instructions on reporting bycatch, and illustrated identification sheets. It also includes handling guidelines to improve survival rates.
- Identity framework for citizen science: The initiative was given a name—POŠALJI AJKULU (“send the shark”)—with a logo and hashtag (#pošaljiajkulu). Branded promotional materials were distributed to strengthen recognition among fishing communities.
- Media outreach: A social media post featuring a juvenile great white shark released from a gillnet by a fisher received over 60,000 views and press coverage, raising awareness of the importance of citizen science for shark conservation.
The Manual on incidental catches of vulnerable elasmobranchs is available in Montenegrin and in English.
By providing clear tools and a recognisable identity, this initiative strengthened citizen science in Montenegro and encouraged fishers to play an active role in shark and ray conservation.
If you are interested in supporting or replicating this approach, we invite you to contact the Institute of Marine Biology.
This initiative, along with five others for shark conservation, was supported by SPA/RAC, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), as part of its support to the implementation of the 2024–2025 Work Programme of UNEP/MAP, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the FishEBM Med project.