Croatia moves to cut sardine fishing days as Adriatic stocks hit historic low

Croatia is preparing measures to significantly reduce sardine fishing in the Adriatic after a new assessment showed that stocks have fallen to historically low levels.

Under a proposal presented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the number of fishing days available to purse seiners targeting sardines in fishing zone A would be reduced from 20 to just five days per month for each authorisation, until the beginning of the winter fishing ban.

The measure is intended to slow the depletion of sardine stocks and support the longer-term preservation of sardine and anchovy populations in the Adriatic.

According to the latest assessment cited by the Ministry, sardine biomass has fallen to historically low levels, while fishing mortality is currently 2.39 times higher than the desired level.

The proposed restrictions are now being submitted for public consultation. Their final form will depend on the outcome of that process.

The sardine measure is part of a wider package of agricultural and food-production proposals presented by Agriculture Minister David Vlajčić.

Today’s press conference (Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

The Government is also proposing increased financial support for sugar beet production. Annual support for 2026 and 2027 would rise from €1.3 million to €2 million, while payments per hectare would also increase.

Croatia expects sugar beet cultivation to increase by around 5% this year, contrasting with an anticipated 12–13% decline across the European Union.

A further €100,000 programme is planned to support producers seeking protected geographical or traditional food-product status.

The proposals will now enter public consultation before any measures are formally adopted.