Fish, Fisheries. Life+ Information & Communication and European Policy in the Prespa Basin. Layman s report

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1 Fish, Fisheries and European Policy in the Prespa Basin Life+ Information & Communication Layman s report The project was co-funded by the E.U.

2 Project identity LIFE+ Information and Communication Project ( ) Project title: Halt the decline of fish biodiversity in the Prespa basin by promoting sustainable fishery practices in compliance with EU policy Short title: Fish, Fisheries and European Policy in the Prespa Basin (LIFE09 INF/GR/000319) Duration: 30 months, 1 October March 2013 Project budget: The project was co-funded by 50% from the Environment Directorate (LIFE) of the European Commission Total amount: ú Coordinating beneficiary: Society for the Protection of Prespa Support: Municipality of Prespa, Prespa National Park Management Body, fishing cooperatives and associations of Prespa Project location: Prespa basin, Western Macedonia, Greece Website:

3 Introduction Prespa is one of the ten most important wetlands in the Mediterranean due to the rare fish species which are found in its lakes. At the same time, fishing has a long history in the region and is an activity in which the deeprooted relationship between man and nature is evident. Both the fish populations and the fisheries have come under pressures that threaten the conservation of these rare species and the sustainability of the fisheries alike. Addressing these issues requires a unified approach, taking into account the two-way relationship between the protection of fish and sustainability of fisheries. The LIFE+ Information & Communication project has brought to the fore these aspects of the region, which are not widely known to the general public. The project has also advanced a number of measures that will effectively contribute to the protection of fish and the sustainable development of fisheries. The importance of the rare fish species for the area of Prespa Mikri and Megali Prespa Lakes are among the oldest in Europe, dating back millions of years, and are shared by Greece, Albania and FYR of Macedonia. A total of twenty-three fish species have been recorded in the lakes, eight of which are endemic to Prespa - meaning that they are not found anywhere else in the world, and for that reason they are protected by European and national legislation. Twelve non-native species of fish have also been recorded, which have been introduced into the lakes either deliberately or accidentally. The Society for the Protection of Prespa, in collaboration with the research centre Tour du Valat, has been systematically monitoring fish populations since its establishment, collecting data on their condition and the threats that they face. We would like to thank the Municipality of Prespa, the Prespa National Park Management Body, the fishermen, the fishing cooperatives and associations of Prespa, the schools of the Municipality of Prespa, and all those who participated in the project whether as co-organisers or actors, as audiences or as guides to the secrets of local traditions and fisheries. The endemic fish species of Prespa 1. Prespa Trout (Salmo peristericus) 2. Prespa Roach (Rutilus prespensis) 3. Prespa Bleak (Alburnus belvica) 4. Prespa Nase (Chondrostoma prespense) 5. Prespa Chub (Squalius prespensis) 6. Prespa Spirlin (Alburnoides prespensis) 7. Prespa Southern Spiny Loach (Cobitis meridionalis) 8. Prespa Minnow (Pelasgus prespensis)

4 Δarget audiences of the project: 1. General public 2. Stakeholders: Professional and amateur fishermen, the appropriate authorities and bodies for the protection of fish and fisheries. The survival of endemic fish species in the Prespa Lakes is threatened by a number of factors, such as: ñ Water pollution ñ Degradation of spawning grounds ñ Competition from non-native species ñ Illegal fishing ñ Lack of a comprehensive legal framework Aim of the project: The project was set up in order to raise awareness among both the general public and stakeholders about the issues of rare fish species and sustainable fisheries in Prespa through a series of extended communication activities. The objectives of the program were: ñ To inform and raise awareness about the unique fish species of Prespa and the treats they face. ñ To highlight fishing as a commercial productive activity and the problems that fishermen face in today s economy. ñ To encourage the adoption of practices that will help combat the threats facing fish. ñ To encourage the active participation of fishermen and local authorities in activities directly related to the protection of fish and sustainability of fisheries. ñ To contribute to the improvement of the institutional framework by promoting measures and proposals that will contribute to the appropriate management of fisheries and fish.

5 Activities for the general public On the small screen The fishermen themselves, as the stars of two TV infomercials which appeared in national and local media, spread the word about the importance of the unique fish found in the Prespa Lakes as well as the main threats that they face, such as water pollution and non-native species. From town to town The unique fish species of Prespa, the threats facing them, and the professional secrets and problems of fishermen were introduced to the wider general public in a mobile exhibition entitled "The Treasure of our Lakes. The exhibition travelled throughout Greece, including urban centres such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Kastoria, Florina and Kozani, as well as to the other two countries that share the Prespa lakes. For children Children at primary schools in Prespa learned all about fish and fishing through creative games as part of an environmental education programme. Taking part in a game that was played out over twelve monthly installments, they travelled in their imaginations to the bottom of the lake with the characters of Zoe and Achilleas as their guides. On the radio During the closed season, radio messages on local radio of the region were reminding on a daily basis the prohibition of fishing. Closed season is the period when the fish spawn and thus fishing is prohibited in the lakes. On the big screen In the documentary "Crafted by Time," featuring Prespa s fish and its fishermen, the viewer travels into the mysterious depths of the lakes, follows the process of constructing a traditional fishing boat and is initiated into the secrets of fishing, the most traditional activity in the area. The premiere of the documentary was held during the 15th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.

6 as well as for stakeholders and other local bodies Strengthening the participation of fishermen in decision making Everything about fish and fishing at the fingertips of the appropriate authorities An electronic publication entitled "Fish and Sustainable Fisheries in Prespa" contains all the available scientific and legal information about fish and fishing, as well as proposals for management measures. The information is essential for planning and sound decisionmaking by the designated authorities. The publication is available here: fish_biodiversity/en/ebook.data/index.html Fishermen are now involved in decision-making on matters of wetland management as they are represented on a multi-stakeholder committee, the Wetland Management Committee, which acts under the umbrella of the Prespa National Park Management Body. Moreover, important decisions related to fish and fisheries have been included among the topics discussed by this Committee. Research on fisheries A comprehensive study of professional and recreational fishing in Prespa was undertaken in order to address gaps in the existing knowledge of fisheries and the circumstances in which fishing is carried out in the area. The research is an essential tool, comprising the first step in creating a management plan for fish and fisheries. Meetings with stakeholders A series of meetings were organised with fishermen and designated bodies at local, national and transboundary level in order to set out the issues and exchange views, as well as to promote the proposed positions of the project on the issues and bring the involved stakeholders to the same table. Encouraging environmentally friendly cleaning of fishing nets High-pressure machines using cold water were available for experimental and pilot use to the fishermen of Prespa, in order to avoid the use of cleaning materials that degrade the lakes. Promotional material A range of materials, such as information boards, letters, brochures and calendars, was created in order to reach out to and attract the general public and local stakeholders, disseminating the messages of the project.

7 What results has the program achieved? Through extensive communication activities at local and national level, the target audience has come to know more about the rare fish species of Prespa and their reciprocal relationship with fisheries. Moreover, for local bodies, a series of materials has been created and a number of proposals and measures have been put forward. These measures have already contributed to some extent - and continue to contribute - to sound decision-making on fish and fisheries. Further: ñ Approximately 5,000,000 people received at least once the project messages. The use of television contributed significantly to the dissemination of these messages to such a wide audience. ñ A total of more than 600 students participated in organised environmental education activities. ñ Fishermen are more actively involved in wetland management decision-making, while the crucial issues related to fish and fisheries are included on the agenda of the appropriate authorities. ñ Important measures have been put forward, such as the inclusion of a Special Management Study for fish and fisheries in the work plan of the Prespa National Park Management Body. ñ The significant gap in our scientific and practical knowledge of fish and fisheries has been enhanced through the collection of data and the creation of material for fish and fisheries. What happens once the project is completed? After the completion of the project, the Society for the Protection of Prespa, in collaboration with local authorities and fishermen, will continue to promote the important subject of fish and fisheries, with a view to continuously updating stakeholders and the general public, maintaining sound decision-making and improving the institutional framework. Furthermore, the dissemination of project activities to the neighboring countries that share the Prespa basin is a priority for the Society for the Protection of Prespa, as it has been shown that issues in the region require a transboundary approach. Finally, the project has led to dialogue between the relevant authorities and local citizens on fish and fisheries, and in the coming years we will continue to build on this foundation, hoping this dialogue will be extended to the sound management of all natural resources in Prespa.

8 Publication: 2013 Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP) Photographs: SPP Archive Photographers: A. Bonetti, F. Doleson, R. Kougioumtzi, L. Nikolaou, V. Nitsopoulou, F. Politis, St. Vogiatzis, Ch. Theodoroglou Fish sketches: P. Dougalis Design-layout: Photosinthesi L.t.d. Further information Society for the Protection of Prespa Agios Germanos, Prespa Δ (0030) F (0030) E spp@line.gr W This publication was printed on elemental chlorine free paper, with neutral PH and absence of heavy metal, originating from sustainable managed forests.