PHARE 2006
The project 'NGO capacity building for the implementation of Natura 2000 priority actions' was funded by the European Union Croatia 2006 PHARE National Programme.
The Croatian marine environment is recognised by the national government, several international organisations including the UNDP, WWF, IUCN and the Council of Europe, as one of the key areas of the Mediterranean to be protected. Development, extreme touristic use and fishing in the coastal zone threaten biodiversity and entire marine environment. Among the most threatened marine animals are cetaceans. These species are recognised by the IUCN and UNEP as indicators of the state of the sea and its health. In addition these species are recognised as priority species under the European Habitats directive.
We identified the lack of knowledge and the lack of sensitivity towards marine conservation as a key issue to the deterioration of the state of the environment. In addition the lack of communication from international conservation commitments through national authorities to local actions undermines any coordinated actions.
This project addressed three specific problems:
The Croatian marine environment is recognised by the national government, several international organisations including the UNDP, WWF, IUCN and the Council of Europe, as one of the key areas of the Mediterranean to be protected. Development, extreme touristic use and fishing in the coastal zone threaten biodiversity and entire marine environment. Among the most threatened marine animals are cetaceans. These species are recognised by the IUCN and UNEP as indicators of the state of the sea and its health. In addition these species are recognised as priority species under the European Habitats directive.
We identified the lack of knowledge and the lack of sensitivity towards marine conservation as a key issue to the deterioration of the state of the environment. In addition the lack of communication from international conservation commitments through national authorities to local actions undermines any coordinated actions.
This project addressed three specific problems:
- The first is the lack of capacity within the Croatian scientific community to develop and maintain marine research.
- The second the general lack of knowledge to the status and distribution of charismatic megafauna in the Croatian territorial waters.
- The second the general lack of knowledge to the status and distribution of charismatic megafauna in the Croatian territorial waters.
- The final aspect to translate this knowledge into readily accessible digestible public awareness materials.
Total cost of this project was 95,171.75 Euros, of which the European Commission granted an amount of 76,080.30 Euros, the Office for Cooperation with NGOs donated 9,517.18 Euros, and the partners contributed 9,574.28 Euros.
