INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY AND FISHERIES

Annual Report 2009 - 2010

www.izor.hr INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY AND FISHERIES

Annual Report 2009 - 2010

Editor:

Ivona Marasović

Editorial board:

Branka Grbec Olja Vidjak Ante Žuljević

Contributors:

Ingrid Čatić, Vlado Dadić, Marija Despalatović, Branko Dragičević, Jakov Dulčić, Živana Ninčević-Gladan, Vanja Čikeš Keč, Nada Krstulović, Grozdan Kušpilić, Anita Maručić, Jasna Maršić Lučić, Slavica Matijević, Mira Morović, Vedran Nikolić, Gorenka Sinovčić, Sanja Matić-Skoko, Mladen Šolić.

Layout and design: Ante Žuljević

Split, December 2010. Preface

In this biannual report of the Institute of Oceanography of new species in marine aquaculture, which is now and Fisheries for the years 2009 and 2010 we should considered a key scientific problem in the investigation especially pay attention to the year 2009 which was of the sea food. very important for the Institute of Oceanography and By the beginning of 2010, after many years of failed Fisheries, because after 56 years the Institute got a new efforts, the Institute has managed to obtain new oceanographic research vessel, the BIOS II. workspaces, but because of the global recession The name BIOS II symbolizes the long tradition of the which is reflected onto the operations of the Institute, Institute in scientific research, because the new ship, restoration and renovation of these areas are likely to together with the name has assumed all those tasks be slowed. that the old BIOS for years successfully carried out, and Scientific activity of the Institute in 2009 and 2010 took which shall now be performed in much shorter time and place within twenty national and international scientific with much more complex and modern equipment. After research projects and results of this activity are manifested many years of use and countless trips in the Adriatic through the papers published in CC journals as well as waters, the old BIOS was no longer adequate for all the in a number of scientific papers by researchers of the challenges that research and today’s modern science Institute presented at some forty international scientific require. With the new research vessel, the Institute can meetings and published in the congress proceedings. be actively and equally involved in all major international During 2009 and 2010 the Institute was the organizer projects undertaken in the Adriatic, and even the of six international conferences and workshops related Mediterranean. to the on-going projects. BIOS II is 37 meters long, has the latest equipment In addition, in 2009 several significant international for oceanographic and fisheries research, 15 double projects were completed. At the same time work began cabins equipped with private toilet facilities, lounges, on two new international projects (FP7 and IPA), while laboratories, and the area where the ship can carry out four international projects are still under evaluation, the research includes the Adriatic and the Mediterranean which should be completed by the end of 2010. In the Sea. The new ship was built with joint funds of the last few years, the Institute is increasingly focusing on Institute and the Ministry of Education and Sports of the use of funds from international sources; due to the the Republic of Croatia, so I would also like to take this high cost of oceanographic research our national funds opportunity to thank all former and current employees for research projects are insufficient for conducting of the Institute, who with their work and renunciation regular surveys of the sea. contributed to this project. Besides the acquisition of new ship, in 2009 laboratory In Split, December 2010. facilities for testing the shellfish toxicity were additionally equipped, and now, in addition to HPLC and other Director of the Institute standard equipment, are equipped with the latest LC / Prof. Ivona Marasović MS / MS device. In 2010 experimental hatchery has been completely updated, thus enabling the Institute to be opened to additional opportunities of involvement in the international research projects related to the introduction

 A Brief History of the Institute

The Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries was famous expeditions NAJADAE and CICLOPE (1911- founded in 1930 as the first national institution for sea 1914). In the early 60’s the Institute began with monthly research. The project of Institute’s foundation was measurements of phytoplankton primary production in very seriously approached, so it took 10 years for the the coastal and open sea of the middle Adriatic, which completion of the plan. The first director of the Institute, was the first research of that kind in the Adriatic Sea. the Norwegian professor Dr. Hjalmar Broch was chosen Beginning of the seventies was marked by a new through the international job competition. Prof. Broch activity, focusing on the coastal area. More specifically, moved from Oslo to Split to organize scientific work in rapid urbanization of coastal area has resulted in the the Institute, based on Norwegian experiences. appearance of pollution of certain parts of the coastal Three main aims of the Institute’s activities were also sea, creating the need for development of ecological established: studies. At that time the monitoring program “VIR- 1. pure scientific research KONAVLE” was established, to investigate the quality 2. application of scientific results in order to improve of seawater in Dalmatian coastal area. This monitoring fisheries development program is taking place even today. 3. educating young scientists and wider public. In mid-seventies, the “Biological Institute” from Dubrovnik After Prof. H. Broch left the Institute, there was already a joined the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries. It group of young scientists who went to specialize abroad was reorganized into two separate laboratories of the (to France, Germany, Denmark). The Institute was then Institute and in this form its activities continued until led by the Scientific Council which consisted of several 2006, when it joined the University of Dubrovnik. well-known scientists (Stanković, Vouk, Đorđević and At the beginning of 80’s, the International Summer Hadži). At that time, a systematic research at sea was School “Fisheries Educational Centre for Developing initiated, within which four permanent oceanographic Countries” started and it existed as a three-month stations in the central Adriatic were established. The course from 1981 to 1990, i.e. till the beginning of Institute continued its activities during the Second the War. This period was marked by the successes World War, although with lower intensity. After the War, of the Institute’s scientists in the research of early Prof. Dr. Tonko Šoljan became the director and initiated developmental stages of sea bass, which was extremely one of the most active and successful periods in the important for aquaculture in the whole Mediterranean. history of this Institute. At that time the work on organizing and equipping a The most important project of the Institute in that period computer center began, with intention to establish the was organizing the “Hvar” Expedition (1948-49), an Central Database for the Adriatic Sea. endeavor that by its size and number of collected data In the early nineties the Institute was very actively involved represents even today a unique accomplishment in in educational activities and, within the University of oceanography of the Adriatic Sea. Split, organized the Department of Marine Studies, the At that time, regular monthly samplings and first and only program of its kind in Croatia. measurements of physical, chemical and plankton parameters on the transect Split-Gargano also began, which are continued to this day. Based on those data, scientists of the Institute gained new and important insights into the dynamics of the Adriatic waters (known as “Adriatic ingressions”), and insights into the correlation between occasional increased inflow of Mediterranean water into the Adriatic and increased productivity of the Adriatic waters. During the 1960’s, the Institute was especially active through participation in the international expedition MGG (expedition organized in honor of International Geophysics Year), within which the research was performed on the same transects as in the time of the

 Cooperation with the University of Split and University Within the National monitoring program “The Adriatic of Dubrovnik continued through the establishment Project“(“Projekt Jadran”), the surveillance measuring of joint PhD program in Applied Marine Sciences. system of oceanographic buoys was developed. At Collaboration with the University of Zagreb and Institute the same time, in order to ensure the safe storage and “Ruđer Bošković” was realized through establishment quality verification of the collected data, as well as to of the joint PhD program in Oceanology. make them more accessible to end users, the Institute’s The late nineties, as well as the beginning of the new databank was developed. Today this databank contains century, were characterized by intense international more than 80% of all the different measurements data cooperation, human resources restoration, acquisition in the Adriatic Sea. of modern research equipment and the construction of a new research vessel.

FABIJAN KALITERNA, Architect (1886 - 1952)

Architect Fabijan Kaliterna was born in Split in 1886. Upon completion of the secondary education (Velika realka), in 1906 he enrolled in the Building Department of Higher Technical School in Prague, as one of eleven students from Dalmatia. The following year he got transferred to the Department of Architecture as the first student from Dalmatia. To students from Split, the tradition of studying technical sciences in Prague was associated with strong national patriotic feeling and atmosphere of Slavic solidarity, due to easily understandable Czech language and numerous already established contacts (through tourism, trade, culture and sports). Because of the First World War Kaliterna did not graduate until 1921, after which he founded the Office in Split as authorized architect. Fabijan Kaliterna belongs to the first generation of Prague architecture students (together with Kodl, Žagar, Celić, Ivačić), whose work is characterized as significant for the architecture of Split and Dalmatia between the two World wars. He was the main representative of the style in architecture of that period, as well as of the beginning and a mature expression of modern architecture, which he sought to promote through traditional and contextual approach, finding foothold in the historical heritage and craft traditions in the processing of materials. He designed about four hundred projects and realized more than two hundred buildings, mostly family houses. Less represented in his work are public buildings, among which the most famous is of the Oceanographic Institute on Cape Marjan. During the design of the building (after-competition and competition works) through compression and reduction of architectural expression Kaliterna realized an archetypal form that is based on traditional use of the material and is also regarded as an exceptional example of a remarkable public building set apart from the landscape. A special part of his architectural opus is dedicated to spatial studies and proposals for urban landscaping. After his professional forming in Prague as one of the Europe’s centers of modern architecture and art, he maintained regular contacts with his Prague colleges. In his architectural opus, Fabian Kaliterna over time passed through purification from sentimental and romantic regional approach towards a rational and modern contextual approach. As a spatial planner of a large city, Kaliterna moves over time from the eclectic to the modernist avant-garde expressions. Despite his important role in building of the city between the two world wars, Fabijan Kaliterna is more famous today as the founder of large number of Split’s sport clubs, and because of his merits he became famous as “the father of sports in the city of Split”.

 Mission and Vision of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries

Mission of the Institute for Oceanography and Fisheries is to be a center for scientific excellence within the area of marine research and marine fisheries, following the international research standards and respecting the specific interests of the Republic of Croatia. The mission ofthe Institute is accomplished through:

– Strategic national and international scientific research, – Research motivated by new ideas and curiosity, – Professional activities, technological development and cooperation with economy, – Conducting and maintaining of the oceanographic and fishery services, – Education and transfer of knowledge.

Vision of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries is to become a national center for marine research and fisheries in the Republic of Croatia and to become an inevitable factor and center of the oceanographic and fishery research activities concerning the Adriatic Sea. Accomplishment of the Institute’s vision includes creation of the human and infrastructural capacities necessary for accomplishing the vision of the Institute and realization of the specific aims, especially the following ones:

– Reinforcement of the quantity and quality of the research teams, – Establishment of the new research activities based on multidisciplinary approach, – Encouraging the mobility of the scientists, to and from the Institute, – Strengthening of the professional and management staff, and the administrative support, – Solution of the strategic infrastructural needs.

 Laboratory of Marine Physics

LABORATORY OF MARINE PHYSICS during oceanographic cruises, whose meta-data are available to the public through the database MEDAS Head of the Laboratory Database of the Adriatic Sea) at the web site (http:// Mira Morović, Ph.D., Research scientist (morovic@izor. jadran.izor.hr/roscop/) while the data can be obtained hr) - marine physics, marine optics, remote sensing, with authorization. climate, physics of marine ecosystem. The Laboratory maintains the buoy Jadranka and coastal station Jurana, both with meteorological and Staff: oceanographic sensors. Branka Grbec, Ph.D., Senior research scientist (grbec@ Tide gauge station Jurana operates since 1949, and in izor.hr)- marine physics, thermohaline properties, air- 1993 was equipped with digital tide gauge, whose data sea interaction, climatology are available in real time. Most of the data collected Ivica Vilibić, Ph.D., Senior research scientist (vilibic@ at these stations and their products, the graphs, are izor.hr)- meteo-tsunamis, waves, sea level oscillations available to the public via the web, in real time (http:// Gordana Beg Paklar, Ph.D., Research scientist (beg@ www.izor.hr/web/guest/mjerni-sustavi-u-realnom- izor.hr)- marine physics, hydrodynamical models of the vremenu). sea, air-sea interaction The buoys Višanka and Rovinjka and the coastal Vlado Dadić, Ph.D., Senior research scientist station Veli Rat are in preparation phase. The system ([email protected])- oceanographic instrumentation and of three microbarographs was set up in Vis, Vrboska measurement systems, data handling, the use of and Vela Luka, with the aim of detecting high-frequency geographic information systems atmospheric fluctuations that can significantly affect Jadranka Šepić, B.Sc., Assistant ([email protected]) - the sea level and cause the so-called meteorological meteo-tsunamis, waves, sea level oscillations tsunami. Measurements data are available on the Web Frano Matić, M.Sc., Associate ([email protected]) - in real time (http://jadran.izor.hr/barograf/). marine physics, air-sea interaction, climate regimes, Agreement between the IOF and the DHMZ climatology (Meteorological and Hydrological Service) has enabled Nikola Bubić, Associate ([email protected]) collaboration and synergy between research results Toni Mašće, Associate ([email protected]) of both organizations. This resulted in a shared virtual Josip Bašić, Associate ([email protected]) laboratory for monitoring the variability of physical Siniša Marasović, Associate ([email protected]) parameters in the atmosphere, boundary layer air-sea and the sea. Overview of the Laboratory’s activities: Investigations of physical properties are the basis of oceanographic research and have been conducted since the foundation of the Institute. Laboratory of physics explores the impact of climatic factors to thermohaline properties, circulation in the sea, influence of synoptic disturbances (meteo-tsunami) on sea level oscillations, the optical properties of the sea and the relationship of biotic and abiotic factors. Hydrodynamic modeling simulates the processes and properties in the sea providing currents and thermohaline fields in the sea. The Institute has a long- term data series of temperature and salinity collected

 At the website of Virtual Laboratory (http://www.izor. hr/ web / guest / virtual-lab) the results of thermohaline measurements of IOF and the measurements of surface temperature and atmospheric reanalysis over the sea for the period of oceanographic measurements from SMHS are available to users in near-real time after the oceanographic cruises.

Top activities: The measurements are essential for oceanography so, collection, storage and processing of data from our field research were our indispensable activities. The most significant activities were carried out through the basic research activities projects, supported by the MZOS (Ministry of Science, Education and Sports), as well as through several international projects and some Results of optical measurements in the sea. projects with industry, some of which are described in radiation will allow better definition of parameters used the following segments. in numerical models. Novel statistical methods will be Of particular importance was the establishment of used to detect fast reorganisation of the ecosystem from the Virtual Laboratory. To ensure the continued work one relatively stable state to another. The ecosystem quality, the CTD probes are calibrated each year regime control will be developed as a basis for timely as a precondition for future accreditation for such alert at the beginning of new climate regime in the measurements. atmosphere and sea.

Projects: Investigation and monitoring systems for the unusual Adriatic dynamics Co-oscillations of atmosphere and the sea Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education important for the Adriatic ecosystem and Sports Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education Project leader: Ivica Vilibić and Sports Project leader: Mira Morović The purpose of this project is to broaden the knowledge about unusual and extraordinary dynamics occurring The studies and discussions about the climatic changes in the Adriatic Sea, as well as the development of the and their influence to the ecosystem assume a steady monitoring, communication and alarming systems for increase of the air temperature, as a consequence of increasing anthropogenic contribution to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In addition to these slow and long-lasting climatic changes, there occur abrupt changes which do not always have global character. A new paradigm about abrupt climatic changes assumes different regional regimes of shorter duration (decades). It is important to investigate climatic shifts for their influence to climate but also for influences that they can cause in the marine ecosystem. The main scope of the project is defining the stable climatic states and climatic indices with the purpose of prediction of the future states. Climate indices will be investigated from analysis of atmospheric fields like pressure, temperature, precipitation, heat and water fluxes, surface wind stress at spatial scales larger than the Adriatic that influence circulation, boundary layer conditions and thermohaline properties. The conditions in the sea will be monitored with systematic measurements at stations in the Middle Adriatic. Numerical models will be used for simulations on the decadal scales, to reveal response of the Adriatic to climatic variability of the atmospheric forcing. With results of numerical simulations we’ll try to interpret the causes of abrupt changes in the ecosystem within the last 50 years, and to give predictions of the future climate states and their influence to the ecosystem. Measurements of light attenuation and incoming Oceanographic buoy in the Kaštela Bay.

 the mitigation of these phenomena which may be of real danger for the coastal regions, infrastructure and population. The investigation of particular problems will be conducted in the project, including: (i) unusual atmospheric phenomena and their manifestation in the sea, (ii) historical records and instrumental measurements of the seismic and other tsunamis in the Adriatic Sea, (iii) extraordinary baroclinic waves (trapped waves and internal tides), (iv) dense water currents and rapid changes of deep biogeochemical properties, (v) design and building of the data acquisition systems in real or near-real time, including those being useful for the alarming systems for the destructive dynamic phenomena (e.g. tsunami), and (vi) development and upgrading of numerical models, including those being capable for the hindcasting and forecasting in real or near-real time. The outcome of the research includes new findings about the unusual and extraordinary Adriatic dynamics, which may have an impact to the quality of the coastal and ocean management, to Web page for microbarograph measurements. the coastal infrastructure and human activities in the coastal regions. In addition, technological research SEADATANET (European System for searching and development will be a significant part of the marine information) project, including the development of monitoring Financed by: European Union (FP6) and communication systems in real time, which is an Project leader: Vlado Dadić essential component for the mitigation of any destructive dynamic process (e.g. tsunami). The usefulness of The goals of this project are: (1) Building a robust these systems became undoubtedly obvious after the European standardized system for handling a large Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, when tens number of various data collected from oceanographic of thousands of human lives could have been saved research vessels and automatic measurement systems. by such a system, which was not available at the time. (2) Connecting the oceanographic data centers in a Furthermore, the investigations of unusual dynamical unique network via the Internet, thus enabling easy phenomenon in the Adriatic should be implemented in search, selection and retrieving of the oceanographic any applied study dealing with the sea and the coast, data regardless of the location of the national data such as engineering of any hydrotechnical object in the center. sea (e.g. oil and water pipelines, piers, bridge towers, oil The system will enable retrieving of various platforms) as well as for the investigations of accidental oceanographic data and the analysis from all the seas spreading of a pollutant in the surface (oil spills) and surrounding Europe. bottom (sewage discharges) layers. NASCUM (Measurement of surface currents with Development and application of advanced HF radars in the northern Adriatic Sea) algorithms in operational oceanography Financed by: European Union (Interreg IIIA) (IP-OCEAN) Project leader: Vlado Dadić Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports The goals of this project are: Project leader: Ivica Vilibić (1) Installation and start-up of operational network of The project has established a network of HF radars along the western coast of Istrian peninsula microbarographs operating in real-time in the central for measurements of surface currents in the northern Adriatic. The appropriate dynamic web interface can Adriatic. be viewed at http://jadran. izor.hr. Furthermore, an algorithm for detection of potential jump in air pressure (2) Sending data and output information to a wide range is developed and tested. of interested users, including the state and local officials, Using the surface currents measurement by high in charge of management activities and monitoring of frequency radars in the northern Adriatic (http://www. ecological state of the marine environment. izor.hr/nascum), an algorithm based on a modified least squares method for calculating sea currents was (3) Enabling the interested parties to use the “on-line developed within the project. mode” measured data and the products for proper and timely decision-making in case of need.

 speed and direction climatology, extreme weather, Bora wind, extreme weather, wind energy. Collaborators: Mira Morović, Ph.D., Research scientist; (morovic@izor. hr) - marine optics, remote sensing, physics of marine ecosystem, long term changes. Gordana Beg Paklar, Ph.D., Research scientist (beg@ izor.hr) - hydrodynamical models of the sea, air sea interaction Frano Matić, M.Sc., Associate ([email protected]) – air sea interaction, climate regimes, climatology Nikola Bubić, B.Sc., Associate, ([email protected]) – data acquisition, processing and graphical representation Web page of NASCUM project. The surface currents Damir Ivanković, B.Sc., Associate ([email protected]) - obtained by HF radars. web page maintenance Stjepan Ivatek-Šahdan, M.Sc., Head of monitoring and Croatian National Monitoring Programme “Systematic maintenance of operational forecast models - modeling Research of the Adriatic Sea as a Base for of atmospheric processes, Bora and Sirocco winds Sustainable Development of the Republic of Branka Ivančan-Picek, Ph.D., Assistant Director, Croatia” DHMZ, Zagreb – Local and mezzo-scale atmospheric Customer of Project: Goverment of the Republic of processes, extreme weather - Croatia Contractors: IOR; IRB; HHI; IMP; UniDu; PMF About the Laboratory The basic idea of the establishment of the Virtual In the frame of the project the member of the Laboratory Laboratory http://www.izor.hr/web/guest/virtual- leads the topic 4.2.1. Automatic measurements systems laboratory is monitoring of the variability of physical with buoys and real time data transmission (AMOS), parameters in the atmosphere, boundary layer air-sea while with analysis of the middle Adriatic transparency and sea, and the availability for education and scientific and thermohaline data, the Laboratory members community to access these data in a near-real-time. participate under topics 1.4., 1.5., 3.1. and 3.2. Using modern methods of measurement and analysis, These data represent the basis for detecting unusual together with modern information technologies, the natural phenomena. Working on the Project, in the ViLab web site provides information of the measured Laboratory of physical oceanography, the system and forecasted parameters in the atmosphere and the of rapid temperature and salinity data availability is sea at various spatial and temporal scales. developed enabling control of termohaline variability in The presented contents are related to the monitoring of a near real time. the atmosphere over the Adriatic Sea, of the boundary layer and water column, as a result of the continuous activities of the Laboratory of Physical Oceanography of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (IOF) and the Meteorological Research and Development Service of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ). Since the goal of ViLab is explanation of thermohaline circulation in the Adriatic Sea (by monitoring the variability of physical parameters in the atmosphere, air- sea boundary layer and in the sea), which determines the changes in the marine ecosystem, the group SECCHI (Sea Ecosystem Climate Change Interaction) was also established. Virtual laboratory VILAB SECCHI group aims to answer the question why the Inter-institutional collaboration between IOR and DHMZ, atmospheric processes are responsible for the variability Zagreb of marine biotic properties, from the phytoplankton communities to the abundance and composition of fish Heads of the VILAB: populations. Branka Grbec, Ph.D., Senior research scientist (IOR- Previous research results of these changes on the Split, [email protected]) - thermohaline properties, air-sea synoptic, decadal and inter-annual scale point to the interaction, climatology fact that changes in the atmosphere at regional and Alica Bajić, M.Sc., Head of Department for research and larger spatial scales control the changes of circulation in modeling of atmospheric processes, DHMZ, Zagreb - the Adriatic. Circulation changes are partly responsible local and mezzo-scale atmospheric processes, wind for the changes in the ecosystem.

 Top activities: development of the Adriatic cyclones and recognition In the first year of work ViLab generated a system of of the Adriatic basin as an area for cyclogenesis within analysis for the data measured in the Adriatic Sea and the Mediterranean area. Observations, prognostic their comparison with the state of the atmosphere at experience and recent studies indicate that it is the time of measurement, as well as near-real-time often a completely independent leeward mezzo- graphical display of results on ViLab web site. scale cyclogenesis over the northern Adriatic, usually In addition, the measured sea surface temperature associated with frontal deformation caused by the values and their anomalies are also presented. Dinarides. Horizontal dimensions of these eddies are Based on scientific and technical references of the usually of the size of 100 km. As a consequence of the laboratory collaborators, this way of presenting results formation of these vortices, besides very strong winds has positive feedbacks in the scientific community, both (Bora and Sirocco) large amounts of rainfall occur, which locally and internationally. The applications on several are sometimes associated with deep convection. international research projects are ongoing. The monitoring results of atmospheric and ALADIN Project for development and application oceanographic parameters are presented in the Vilab’s of numerical weather forecast model in a limited web pages. area On the ViLab web pages, presented are the results Financed by: International cooperation project (France, of operational numerical atmospheric model ALADIN, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Check Republic, namely: surface air temperature over the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia, Romania, Portugal, Poland, Tunisia, Morocco, wind and air pressure, vertical distribution of wind speed Algeria, Turkey, Croatia) – DHMZ and direction at the Split - Mt Gargano and Sibenik- Project leader: Alica Bajić Ortona transects, for the dates of oceanographic measurements of temperature, salinity and density at ALADIN (Aire Limitée Adaptation dynamique the Split - Mt Gargano and Sibenik-Ortona transects. Développement InterNational) is a Numerical Weather Prediction project, basically a project of cooperation Projects: between Member States in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP). The main tasks of the project are: Storms and natural disasters development of NWP system and its application in Financed by: MZOS a limited geographical area, work on a small domain Project leader: Branka Ivančan-Picek with high spatial resolution in order to forecast atmospheric processes important for fine-scale (eg. With diagnostic studies and numerical experiments the local winds, thunderstorms, convection zones) and the intention is to create a more complete picture of the development of advanced tools for numerical weather storm creation process, which often has disastrous prediction, where all partners participate in research consequences. This research is based on the results of and development of model with the aim that each numerical modeling with mezzo-models ALADIN / HR, participant can use the obtained results. MM5 and COAMPS. Special attention was paid to the

Mean currents field for the period 13.02. – 13.03. 2008 at depths of 2 and 26 m.

 Selected publications:

Morović, Mira; Precali, Robert; Grbec, Branka; Vučetić, Tamara; Vilibić, Ivica; Tinti, Stefano; Maramai, Matijević, Slavica. 2010. Spatial and temporal variability Alessandra. 2009. The Great Adriatic flood of 21 June of transparency in the eastern Adriatic Sea, Fresenius 1978 revisited: An overview of the reports. Physics and Environmental Bulletin 19 (9) 1862 - 1868. Chemistry of the Earth. 34 (17-18): 894-903.

Vilibić, Ivica. 2010. How much the shared ocean or Grbec, Branka; Morović, Mira; Kušpilić, Grozdan; lake basins connect the researchers in neighbouring Matijević, Slavica; Matić, Frano; Beg Paklar, Gordana; countries?. Scientometrics. 83 (2): 463-470. Ninčević, Živana. 2009. The relationship between the atmospheric variability and productivity in the Adriatic Vilibić, Ivica; Šepić, Jadranka. 2010. Long-term variability Sea area. Journal of the Marine Biological Association and trends of sea level storminess and extremes in of the United Kingdom. 89 (8): 1549-1558. European Seas. Global and planetary change. 71 (1/2): 1-12. Grbec, Branka; Morović, Mira; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Matijević, Slavica; Matić, Frano; Beg Paklar, Gordana; Vilibić, Ivica; Šepić, Jadranka; Dadić, Vlado; Mihanović, Ninčević, Živana. The relationship between the Hrvoje. (2010) Fortnightly oscillations observed in the atmospheric variability and productivity in the Adriatic Adriatic Sea. Ocean dynamics. 60: 57-63. Sea area. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 89 (2009), 8; 1549-1558 (članak, Beg Paklar, Gordana; Koračin, Darko; Dorman, Clive. znanstveni). 2009. Wind-induced ocean circulation along California and Baja California coasts in June 1999. Atmospheric Horvath, Kristian; Ivatek-Šahdan, Stjepan; Ivančan- Research. 94 (1): 106-133. Picek, Branka; Grubišić, Vanda. Evolution and structure of severe cyclonic Bora: contrast between the northern Krstulović Šifner, Svjetlana; Vrgoč, Nedo; Dadić, Vlado; and southern Adriatic. Weather and Forecasting. 24 Isajlović, Igor; Peharda, Melita; Piccinetti, Corrado.2009. (2009) , 4; 946-964 Long-term changes in distribution and demographic composition of Thornback ray, Raja clavata, in the Horvath, K., Bajić, A. i S. Ivatek-Šahdan. Dynamical northern and central Adriatic Sea. Journal of Applied downscaling of wind resources in complex terrain of Ichthyology. 25 (s1): 40-46. Croatia, Proceedings of the EWEC 2009., Marseille, Francuska, svibanj, 2009. Šepić, Jadranka; Denis, Lydie; Vilibić, Ivica. Real-time procedure for detection of a meteotsunami within an Bajić, A.; Ivatek-Šahdan, S.; Horvath, K.Prostorna early tsunami warning system. 2009. Physics and razdioba brzine vjetra na području Hrvatske dobivena Chemistry of the Earth. 34 (17-18): 1023-1031. numeričkim modelom atmosfere ALADIN. Hrvatski meteorološki časopis.42 (2009), 66-77. Šepić, Jadranka; Vilibić, Ivica; Belušić, Danijel. 2009. Source of the 2007 Ist meteotsunami (Adriatic Sea). Grbec Branka, Morović Mira, Matić Frano, Vilibić Ivica, Journal of Geophysical Research. 114 (C01016): 1-14. Beg Paklar Gordana. Unusual preconditioning vs. generation phase of the North Adriatic Dense Water in Šepić, Jadranka; Vilibić, Ivica; Monserrat, Sebastian. 2007/2008. CIESM; 2010. 2009. Teleconnections between the Adriatic and the Balearic meteotsunamis. Physics and Chemistry of the Gordana Beg Paklar, Ivica Janeković, Mathieu Dutour Earth. 34 (17-18): 928-937. Sikirić, Ivica Vilibić, Vlado Dadić and Branka Grbec. Circulation variability in the Adriatic Sea and in small Vilibić, Ivica; Book, J.W.; Beg Paklar, Gordana; Orlić, coastal domains along the eastern Adriatic coast during Mirko; Dadić, Vlado; Tudor, Martina; Martin, P.J.; 2007 and 2008. CIESM, 2010. Pasarić, Miroslava; Grbec, Branka; Matić, Frano; Mihanović, Hrvoje; Morović, Mira. 2009. West Adriatic coastal water excursions into the East Adriatic. Journal of Marine Systems. 78 (S1): S132-S156.

Vilibić, Ivica; Šepić, Jadranka. 2009. Destructive meteotsunamis along the eastern Adriatic coast (Overview). Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. 34 (17- 18): 904-917.

Lučić, Davor; Benović, Adam; Morović, Mira; Batistić, Mirna; Onofri, Ivona. 2009. Diel vertical migration of medusae in the open Southern Adriatic Sea over a short time period (July 2003). Marine Ecology - An Evolutionary Perspective. 30 (1): 16-32. Thermohaline structure at the profile Vis - Monte Gargano.

10 Laboratory of Chemical Oceanography and Sedimentology

Head of the Laboratory: of the contamination in marine environment related Grozdan Kušpilić, Ph.D., Research scientist (kuspe@ to heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants is izor.hr) – implementation of EU Water Framework monitored through their accumulation in sediments and Directive for the Transitional and Coastal Waters of the marine organisms. In addition to scientific investigations, Adriatic Sea; marine pollution, chemical oceanography, researchers of the laboratory are involved in creation biogeochemical cycles of nutrients in the water column of national indicators and implementation of EU Water and sediment Framework Directive of transitional, coastal and open sea waters of the Republic of Croatia, as well as in the Staff: educational activities at the University of Split. Danijela Bogner, Ph.D., Research associate (bogner@ izor.hr) – marine geology, granulometric composition, Top activities: carbonates, organic matter, heavy metals and Beside the engagement in listed projects financed by foraminifera in marine sediment the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic Slavica Matijević, Ph.D., Research associate (dosen@ of Croatia, United Nations Monitoring Program and izor.hr) – chemical oceanography; biogeochemical Croatian Waters, one of the most important activities of cycles of nutrients in the water column and sediments; the Laboratory is the elaboration of program proposal phosphorus speciation in marine sediment and implementation of the monitoring of ecological and Vesna Milun, M.Sc., Associate ([email protected]) – organic chemical status of transitional and coastal waters of the pollutants in marine sediment and biota Adriatic Sea according to the requests of Frame Directive Ivan Pezo, B.Sc., Associate ([email protected]) about the Waters (2000/60/EC). This issue is one of the Jere Veža, B.Sc., Associate ([email protected]) prerequisites for closing the Chapter on Environment in pre-accession negotiations of the Republic of Croatia Overview of the Laboratory’s activities: with the European Union. Research of Laboratory of Chemical Oceanography and Sedimentology includes biogeochemical processes and cycles of different elements in the water column, organisms and sediments of the Adriatic Sea. Field investigations are conducted in the areas of different trophic status (river mouths, estuaries, bays, open sea and fish farms), with the aim of detecting potential changes, anthropogenically or climatologically forced. Measurements in the seawater samples, besides the basic chemical parameters, encompass determination of concentrations of dissolved inorganic and organic nutrients in order to study the flux of organic matter and energy through the marine ecosystem. The results are also used for estimation of trophic status of each area, as well as for the elaboration of national classes of categories of the ecological status. Sediment investigations (granulometric composition, oxido- reductive conditions, distribution of inorganic and organic forms of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) are focused on processes of sedimentation and remineralizaton of organic matter in sediment, including the exchange at the sediment-water interface. Degree

11 Projects: Classification of the Area and Making a Program Proposal and Implementation of Monitoring of Role of Plankton Communities in the Flow and Transitional and Coastal Waters of the Adriatic Cycling of Energy and Matter in the Adriatic Sea, according to the Requirements of the Water Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education Framework Directive of EU (2000/60/EC) and Sports Financed by: Croatian Waters Project leader: Nada Krstulović Project leader: Grozdan Kušpilić Details under Laboratory of marine microbiology The project aims to develop the proposal of plan and Quality control of the Coastal Adriatic Sea (Pag- program for monitoring of transitional and coastal Konavle Project) waters according to Water Framework Directive. The Financed by: Water Protection Division, Croatian acceptance of the program proposal is followed by the Waters implementation of monitoring of transitional and coastal Project leader: Grozdan Kušpilić waters and establishment of national classification of “ecological status”. Two phases of Project are Program “Quality Control of the Coastal Sea (Pag- planned: Konavle Project)” is conducted for the “Sector of the (Phase I): Analysis of the pressures and impacts on the Water Protection of Croatian Waters” to evaluate quality transitional and coastal waters based on the existing of the Adriatic coastal sea from the Pag Island to Cavtat. available data and expert estimation of the state of Research purpose is to investigate possible changes waters; the assessment of risk of losing the good status caused by natural processes or anthropogenic activities and development of proposals of plan and program of through systematic monitoring of water quality. The monitoring adapted to the requirements of WFD. analyses include the most important indicators of water (Phase II) Monitoring of chemical and ecological status of quality: physical, chemical and biological properties transitional and coastal waters; creation of proposal for of sea water, characteristic pollutants and climate national classification of “ecological status”; performing characteristics of the area as well as dynamic of water the first assessment of ecological and chemical status masses. Special attention is given to possible changes of transitional and coastal waters. in the composition of plankton communities caused by the influence of anthropogenic factors in waters near Croatian National Monitoring Programme “Systematic urbanized areas on the coast. Laboratory of Chemical Research of the Adriatic Sea as a Base for Oceanography and Sedimentology is involved in Sustainable Development of the Republic of determination and interpretation of spatial and temporal Croatia” distribution of chemical indicators of trophic state Customer of Project: Goverment of the Republic of of coastal waters (oxygen concentration , inorganic Croatia and organic forms of nutrients, pH). Furthermore, Contractors: IOR; IRB; HHI; IMP; UniDu; PMF Laboratory’s staff is carrying out the research on pollution levels of dangerous substances in sediments Laboratory is participating in topics 1.4., 1.5., 3.1. and shellfish (heavy metals, chlorinated hydrocarbons) and 3.2. of the Project which include monitoring of throughout the investigated area, from Pag to Konavle. the chemical parameters in the water column of the

P A G Z A D A R Š I B E N I K S P L I T P L O Č E DUBROVNIK VIS

Trophic status (TRIX-indeks)of the water column at Pag-Konavle stations

12 in collaboration with the scientists from IFREMER and other research institutions from Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania. The project ended in 2009 providing an important contribution to the knowledge with regards to the contamination status by priority substances at the Adriatic coastal area.

Selected publications:

Matijević, Slavica; Bojanić, Natalia; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Ninčević Gladan, Živana. 2009. Seasonal variations of phosphorus species in sediment from the middle Adriatic Sea. Environmental Earth Sciences. 59 (4):853- 866.

Matijević, Slavica; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Morović, Mira; Grbec, Branka; Bogner, Danijela; Skejić, Sanda; Veža, Jere. 2009. Physical and chemical properties of the water column and sediments at the sea bass / sea bream farm in the middle Adriatic (Maslinova Bay) Acta Adriatica 50 (1): 59-76.

Ninčević Gladan, Živana; Marasović, Ivona; Grbec, Branka; Skejić, Sanda; Bužančić, Mia; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Matijević, Slavica; Matić, Frano. 2009. Inter- decadal variability in phytoplankton community in the Determining the type of waters at catchment area of Neretva river Middle Adriatic (Kaštela Bay) in relation to the North Atlantic Oscillation. Estuaries and Coasts. 33 (2): 376- 383. central Adriatic (concentration of oxygen, inorganic and organic forms of nutrients, pH). Obtained data represent Grbec, Branka; Morović, Mira; Kušpilić, Grozdan; the basis for assessment of: trophic level of the areas Matijević, Slavica; Matić, Frano; Beg Paklar, Gordana; under investigation; unusual occurrences in the water Ninčević, Živana. 2009. The relationship between the column and sediments; conditions that favor the atmospheric variability and productivity in the Adriatic appearances of blooms of harmful and toxic species of Sea area. Journal of the Marine Biological Association phytoplankton. An important activity of the Laboratory of the United Kingdom. 89 (8): 1549-1558. is determination of the degree of pollution with heavy metals and chlorinated hydrocarbons in sediment and Šolić, Mladen; Krstulović, Nada; Vilibić, Ivica; Bojanić, shellfish in areas under anthropogenic influence, so- Natalia; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Šestanović, Stefanija; Šantić, called “hot spots”. Danijela; Ordulj, Marin. 2009. Variability in the bottom- up and top-down controls of bacteria on trophic and Monitoring hazardous (harmful) substances temporal scales in the middle Adriatic Sea. Aquatic accumulation in mussels (MYTIAD) microbial ecology. 58 (1): 15-29. Financed by:: IFREMER, France; UNEP/MED POL, Greece Vidjak, Olja; Bojanić, Natalia; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Project leader: Grozdan Kušpilić Grbec, Branka; Ninčević Gladan, Živana; Matijević, Slavica; Brautović, Igor. 2009. Population structure and In the aim of enhancing the knowledge referred to abundance of zooplankton along the Krka river estuary the sources, fate and adverse effects of chemical in spring 2006. Acta Adriatica. 50 (1): 45-58. contaminants in the Mediterranean sea, an interregional coastal water monitoring programme-MEDICIS was initiated by IFREMER in collaboration with UNEP/MED POL organization. Within the framework of this programme, the MYTIAD project’s objective was to assess the level of contamination by heavy metals, chlorinated hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons along the coasts of western and eastern Adriatic. The active monitoring method based on mussel caging was used to enable comparison among investigated areas. The immersion of caged mussels was carried out in 2008

13 Laboratory of Plankton and Shellfish Toxicity

Head of the Laboratory: Overview of the Laboratory’s activities: Prof. Ivona Marasović, Ph.D., Senior research Activities within the Laboratory encompass the ecological scientist, ([email protected]) - biology and taxonomy and taxonomical research of phyto- and zooplankton, of phytoplankton, primary production, eutrophication, as well as the investigations of the primary production shellfish toxicity process. Taxonomical research is directed towards microzoo-, mesozoo- and microphytoplankton, while Staff: the ecological research focuses on the investigations of Prof. Frano Kršinić, Ph.D., Senior research scientist, fluctuations of phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics Fellow of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, caused by the anthropogenic influences. These ([email protected])- ecology and taxonomy of marine investigations are greatly facilitated by the existence of protozoa and micrometazoa, taxonomy of the anchialine long-term data sets on phytoplankton and zooplankton caves zooplankton population structure, chlorophyll a concentrations and Živana Ninčević Gladan, Ph.D., Research scientist, primary production, available from the early days of the ([email protected])- biology and taxonomy of Institute’s activities, which today present the special phytoplankton, cyanobacteria, primary production, value of the Institute and this particular Laboratory. eutrophication, shellfish toxicity The specialised and more recent activities of the Ivana Ujević, Ph.D., Research associate ([email protected]) Laboratory are linked to the basic investigations of toxic - natural toxins in molluscs (ASP, PSP i DSP), shellfish phytoplankton species, which gave rise to the applied toxicology, biological and chemical methods of toxin investigations through regular monitoring of shellfish analyses in molluscs (UV-DAD-HPLC, FD-HPLC, LC- toxicity events along the Adriatic coast. MS/MS), trace metals (AAS) in sediment and mollusc Natalia Bojanić, Ph.D., Research associate (bojanic@ izor.hr) - ecology and taxonomy of microzooplankton Olja Vidjak, Ph.D., Research associate (vidjak@izor. hr) - ecology and taxonomy of mesozooplankton, mesozooplankton sampling methods, taxonomy of copepod crustaceans Sanda Skejić, Ph.D., Senior assistant (sanda@izor. hr) - biology and taxonomy of phytoplankton, primary production, eutrophication Jasna Arapov, B.Sc, Assistant ([email protected]) - analyses of phycotoxins in phytoplankton and shellfish, ecology of toxic phytoplankton Mia Bužančić, B.Sc., Assistant ([email protected])- biology and taxonomy of phytoplankton, primary production, eutrophication Top activities: Nikša Nazlić, B.Sc., Associate ([email protected]) Based on the publications of the Laboratory’s researchers Heliodor Prelesnik, B.Sc., Associate ([email protected]) and their participations in international intercalibrations Ivan Barač, B.Sc., Associate in the field of phytoplankton toxicity and toxin analyses, Roman Garber, B.Sc., Associate in 2008 this Laboratory gained the ISO/IEC 17025 Ana Jelačić, B.Sc. Accreditation Certificate in the field of qualitative and Maja Žitko, B.Sc. quantitative determination of phytoplankton community structure in seawater and determination of phycotoxins in shellfish. Consequently, as the only possessor of this Accreditation in Croatia, the Laboratory is currently in the process of nomination for the National Reference Laboratory for Shellfish Toxicity. 14 Projects: MED POL Financed by: UNEP - United nations Environmental Ecological investigations of toxic phytoplankton Program and shellfish toxicity Project leader: Živana Ninčević Gladan Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports The task of protecting and monitoring of the marine Project leader: Živana Ninčević Gladan environment in the Mediterranean inspired the cooperation between Mediterranean countries and Since shellfish toxicity is increasingly reported in Croatian the European Union, through the approval of the farms, it is imperative that we conduct regular reliable Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), which is part of the scientific investigations on this subject, thus participating United Nations Convention on the Protection of the in the international cooperation with the research results Environment (United Nation Environmental Program, at national level. This project combines biological and UNEP). The program of assessment and control of chemical research on shellfish toxicity, and investigations pollution in the Mediterranean area began in 1975, as of the life cycles of some toxic phytoplankton species a part of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP), which and their ecological characteristics. At the same time, is now in phase IV (2006-2013). In accordance with the toxicity level fluctuation in shellfish is investigated in Barcelona Convention (Article 12), all Member States are relation to various biotic and abiotic factors. The aim is under the obligation to implement a national monitoring to determine the key mechanisms that are responsible program and appoint the persons responsible for for the development of blooms of certain species pollution monitoring. Land-Based Source Protocol in particular moments, especially for those species (Article 8) defines a systematic assessment of pollution that belong to the same ecological niche. Improved in coastal areas, with special emphasis on the areas understanding of the ecological strategies of some affected by various human activities, and assessment toxic species increases the possibility of prediction of of the effectiveness of the action plan and measures such phenomena and the application of measures to contained in the Protocol on the reduction of pollution mitigate the adverse consequences. impact in the marine environment as the main objectives of this monitoring program.

Role of plankton communities in the energy and matter flow in the Adriatic Sea Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education ans Sports) Project leader: Nada Krstulović Details under Laboratory of marine microbiology

Quality control of the Coastal Adriatic Sea (Pag- Konavle Project) Financed by: Water Protection Division, Croatian Waters Project leader: Grozdan Kušpilić Details under Laboratory of chemical oceanography and sedimentology

Comparison of the total mesozooplankton abundances at monitoring stations within the Pag-Konavle project during 2009.

15 ecosystem responses to changes in climate and Development and implementation of a pan- anthropogenic forcings during the next five decades. European Marine Biodiversity Observatory System SESAME will also study the effect of the ecosystem (EMBOS) variability on key goods and services with high societal Financed by: COST (European Cooperation in the field importance like tourism, fisheries, ecosystem stability of Scientific and Technical Research) through conservation of biodiversity and mitigation of Project leader: Herman Hummel (Netherlands Institute climate change through carbon sequestration in water of Ecology); Natalia Bojanić, National coordinator (IOF and sediments. The innovative character of SESAME is Split) reflected in the close merging of economic and natural sciences to study the changes in the western and eastern Marine biodiversity varies over large scales of time and Mediterranean and the Black Sea within the period from space, and requires a research strategy beyond the 50 years in the past to 50 years in the future. SESAME tradition/capabilities of classic research. Research that will stimulate and strengthen international cooperation covers these scales requires a permanent international in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions through the pan-European network of observation stations with an participation of research organizations from Member optimized and standardized methodology. In EMBOS States, Associated States, Associated Candidate the needed large-scale network of research locations countries, non-EU Mediterranean and NIS countries as in Europe will be installed to assess long-term changes in marine biodiversity and their possible causes taking into account natural and anthropogenic gradients, and EMBOS will extend and optimize this observatory system, including novel interdisciplinary approaches for research. Laboratory of plankton is contributing to EMBOS through the fundamental taxonomical research of microphytoplankton, ciliated protozoa, micrometazoa and mesozooplankton components, as well as with investigations regarding the impact of trophic gradient on changes in plankton community dynamics and structure. Additional efforts will be dedicated to Regime shifts in long term data of primary production in the Middle the occurrence of toxic phytoplankton species and Adriatic dynamics of tintinnid and copepod communities. well as international organizations. The scientific objectives of SESAME are: SESAME - Southern European Seas: Assessing - To assess changes in the SES ecosystems over the and Modeling Ecosystem changes last 50 years. Financed by: EU FP6 - To assess the current status of the SES ecosystems National coordinator: Ivona Marasović through analysis of existing and newly collected data at basin scale as well as through The general scientific objectives of SESAME are to model simulations. assess and predict changes in the Mediterranean and - To predict changes in the SES ecosystems, using Black Sea ecosystems as well as changes in the ability existing and new observations at a of these ecosystems to provide goods and services. regional and basin scale in order to construct scenarios The Mediterranean and Black Sea will be approached of the ecosystem responses as a coupled climatic/ecosystem entity, with links and to likely changes in climate and anthropogenic forcings feedbacks to the world ocean. The assessment of during the next five decades. ecosystem changes will be based on the identification of the major regime shifts in ecosystems that occurred Croatian National Monitoring Programme “Systematic during the last 50 years. Research of the Adriatic Sea as a Base for Mathematical models, validated and upgraded using Sustainable Development of the Republic of existing and new observations, will be used to predict Croatia” Customer of Project: Goverment of the Republic of Croatia Contractors: IOR; IRB; HHI; IMP; UniDu; PMF

In this project Laboratory’s experts are participating in two topics : - Impact of anthropogenic activities on the Croatian coastal sea (pollutant loads from land-based sources (LBS) and through air; sanitary quality of beaches, sanitary quality of shellfish culturing areas, effects of the excessive eutrophication, the level and the influence

16 of pollution in selected areas (hot spots) and the mutual Grbec, Branka; Morović, Mira; Kušpilić, Grozdan; impact of fish aquaculture and environment. Matijević, Slavica; Matić, Frano; Beg Paklar, Gordana; - Unusual phenomena threatening human health, Ninčević, Živana. The relationship between the tourism and fisheries (natural phenomena of unusual atmospheric variability and productivity in the Adriatic intensity, harmful algal blooms and jellyfish “blooms”, Sea area. Journal of the Marine Biological Association identification of toxic phytoplankton species and of the United Kingdom. 89 (2009), 8; 1549-1558. biotoxins analyses (PSP, DSP,YTX, ASP groups of toxins) and introduction and excessive reproduction of Matijević, Slavica; Bojanić, Natalia; Kušpilić, Grozdan; allochthonous plankton species. Ninčević Gladan, Živana. Seasonal variations of phosphorus species in sediment from the middle Selected publications: Adriatic Sea. Environmental Earth Sciences. 59 (2009), 4; 853-866. Ninčević Gladan, Živana; Marasović, Ivona; Grbec, Branka; Skejić, Sanda; Bužančić, Mia; Kušpilić, Šolić, Mladen; Krstulović, Nada; Vilibić, Ivica; Bojanić, Grozdan; Matijević, Slavica; Matić, Frano. Inter-decadal Natalia; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Šestanović, Stefanija; Šantić, variability in phytoplankton community in the Middle Danijela; Ordulj, Marin. Variability in the bottom-up and Adriatic (Kaštela Bay) in relation to the North Atlantic top-down controls of bacteria on trophic and temporal Oscillation. Estuaries and coasts. 33 (2009), 2; 376- scales in the middle Adriatic Sea. Aquatic microbial 383. ecology. 58 (2009), 1; 15-29. Živana Ninčević Gladan, Ivana Ujević, Anna Milandri, Ivona Marasović, Alfiero Ceredi, Silvia Pigozzi, Jasna Vidjak, Olja; Bojanić, Natalia. Species composition and Arapov, Sanda Skejić, Stjepan Orhanović and Igor distribution patterns of the family Corycaeidae Dana, Isajlović. Is Yessotoxin the Main Phycotoxin in Croatian 1852 (Copepoda ; Cyclopoida) in the middle Adriatic Waters? Marine drugs. 8 (2010), 3; 460-470. Sea. Marine Biology Research. 5 (2009), 5; 427-440.

Čustović, Selma; Orhanović, Stjepan; Ninčević- Vidjak, Olja; Bojanić, Natalia; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Grbec, Gladan, Živana; Josipović, Tilda; Pavela-Vrančič, Maja. Branka; Ninčević Gladan, Živana; Matijević, Slavica; Occurence of yessotoxin (YTX) in the coastal waters Brautović, Igor. Population structure and abundance of the eastern-mid Adriatic Sea (Croatia). Fresenius of zooplankton along the Krka river estuary in spring Environmental Bulletin. 18 (2009), 8; 1452-1455. 2006. Acta Adriatica. 50 (2009), 1; 45-58.

Dinophysis species recorded at shellfish farms at Istrian area: 1. D. fortii 2. D. tripos 3. D. acuminata 4. D. acuta 5. D. rotundata 6. D. sacculus 7. D. caudata

17 Laboratory of Marine Microbiology

Head of the Laboratory: workshops related to the introduction of new methods Prof. Nada Krstulović, Ph.D., Senior research scientist and training in their implementation. ([email protected]) - ecology of marine microorganisms, Laboratory of Microbiology is the authorized research pelagic microbial trophic chain, sanitary aspects of laboratory for testing and evaluation of water quality, marine microbiology according to the resolution of the Ministry of Regional Development, Forestry and Water Economy of the Staff: Republic of Croatia, the Board of Water Management Prof Mladen Šolić, Ph. D., Senior research scientist (Class: UP/Io-034-04/08-01/16; URBROJ: 538-10/1- ([email protected]) - ecology of marine microorganisms, 4-64-08/6; of 10th of December pelagic microbial trophic chain, sanitary aspects of marine microbiology Projects: Stefanija Šestanović, Ph.D., Research Associate ([email protected]) – bacterial biomass and production in Role of plankton communities in the energy and marine sediments, trophic relationships in microbial matter flow in the Adriatic Sea communities of marine sediments Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education Danijela Šantić, B. Sc., Assistant (segvic@izor. and Sports hr) – trophic and size structure of marine microbial Project leader: Nada Krstulović communities Slaven Jozić, B. Sc. – Associate ([email protected]) The project investigates the role of plankton communities Mate Pavlović, technician in the energy flow and organic matter cycling in the coastal and open Adriatic Sea, with particular reference Overview of the Laboratory’s activities: to the spawning areas of small pelagic fish , mariculture Work of the Laboratory of Microbiology includes research areas and other areas under significant antropogenic of ecology of marine microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, influences. Special attention will be devoted to the cyanobacteria, heterotrophic nanoplankton), as well as Palagruža Sill area, since it is of key importance for the research of allochthonous microorganisms which from functioning of the Adriatic ecosystem, where waters different sources enter the marine environment. originating from the continental shelf encounter those Field of marine microorganisms ecology includes from deep layers and therefore all the processes are research of microbial community structure (composition, best observed. number, biomass, production and activity), and the role of microbial trophic web in the flow of matter and energy through the pelagic ecosystem. Given the importance of bacteria in biogeochemical processes in the sea, research of numbers and biomass of bacteria have recently been carried out in the sediment as well. As part of the allochthonous microorganisms research, the presence of fecal pollution indicators in sea water and organisms (especially shellfish) and occasionally, of some groups of patogenic microorganisms as well, is being monitored,. The results of these studies are essential for assessing the sanitary quality of water and marine organisms and potential risks to human health. Research of microorganism survival in the marine environment, and the rate of their concentration in shellfish in different enviromental conditions, is also being carried out. Within this issue, Laboratory of Microbiology organizes national and international

18 Fluorescence microscopy. Special attention will be given to the analysis of response of plankton organisms to physical changes, on both, short and long term time scales, that is to the ways in which these changes are reflected upon the different levels of food chains and consequently the energy flow and cycling of matter.

Residence time of bacteria Escherichia coli in seawater and marine organisms Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sports Project leader: Mladen Šolić

Faecal origin wastewaters that enter into the sea directly or through sewage system discharge are one of the main sources of allochthonous microorganisms in marine environment. Some of these microorganisms are Plankton communities, including bacterioplankton, pathogenic, and as such can cause different infections phytoplankton and zooplankton, represent the and diseases in humans and warm-blooded animals. fundamental component of pelagic food webs Allochthonous microorganisms can be accumulated in Therefore the study of the structure and functioning different marine organisms, especially in those that feed of each of them, as well as their interactions, is highly by filtration of sea water (filter-feeders). One of the most important, especially since such data provide the basis important groups of filter-feeders in marine environment for establishing the production capacity of an area. One is Bivalvia. Since bivalves can accumulate all types of of the central questions regarding functioning of marine pollutants present in sea water including pathogenic ecosystems is the fate of primary production, namely bacteria, they are, from the aspect of human health, significance of different pathways of carbon, from its a high-risk group of organisms. Proposed investigation fixation in the photosynthesis to higher trophic levels. is designed to test the following two hypothesis: (1) Relationship between primary and secondary Residence time of allochthonous microorganisms in production, biomass and species composition of marine environment is a direct function of their survival different plankton components at lower trophic levels after they enter the sea, which is in turn result of synergic determine the main characteristics of trophic web impact of number of environmental factors out of which at higher levels. These interactions will be studied by the most important are sunlight intensity, temperature analysing factors regulating the size and dynamics of and salinity, and (2) Concentration of allochthonous populations in plankton communities. The project will microorganisms in bivalves is a result of concentration investigate the cycling of nutrients and metals essential of these organisms in the surrounding sea, seawater for the normal susteinance, growth and reproduction of filtration rates, habitat in which they live, bivalve plankton populations («bottom-up» control) as well as species, size, and life cycle, as well as synergic impact factors affecting their elimination (mortality, predation, of number of environmental factors out of which the viral activity) («top-down» control). By studying «bottom- most important is temperature. Main objective of this up» and «top-down» controls of plankton communities project is providing answers to the following questions: we will attempt to determine main mechanisms and (1) How long is the survival time of bacteria Escherichia control paths of characteristic phytoplankton blooms coli, as the most important indicator of faecal pollution, as well as likely causes of the unusual occurrences in marine environment in conditions of different sunlight («red tide», «mucilage»). A B

Fluorescence photomicrographs of bacteria using the standard AODC (A) and DAPI (B) epifluorescent techniques (samples from Kastela Bay)

19 Analyses of regulation of marine bacteria by substrate availabil- Interactive effects of temperature, salinity and Escherichia coli ity (Bottom-up control) and by predation (Top-down control) using concentration in the seawater on the rate of concentration of E. empirical model by Gasol et al. (2002) coli in bivalves. intensities, temperature and salinity, (2) Is there a Monitoring of the environmental impact of the synergic action of investigated factors, (3) In which way submarine outfall Stobreč survival time of bacteria E. coli changes with sea depth, Financed by: Water and Sewage Company of Split (4) At which rate different bivalve species accumulate Project leader: Nada Krstulović bacteria E. coli, and (5) In which way concentrations of E. coli in the sea, bivalve size, phase of the life cycle and The purpose of this research is to gain insight into the temperature impact the above mentioned processes. state of sea water quality in the area of the Brač Channel Testing of the hypothesis and searching for solution to near the submarine outfall, in order to monitor and assess the above questions will be conducted using series of in the possible influence of the submarine outfall sewage situ and laboratory experiments. We expect that results system Stobreč on the environment. Investigations of this project will be very important for estimating include the most important indicators of the water impacts of sewage discharges and other sources of quality: physical properties of the atmosphere and sea, faecal pollution on sanitary quality of the sea, and will chemical properties and biological characteristics of the represent valuable entrance parameter for calculations investigated area, marine sediment and characteristic related to design of underwater discharge systems. pollutants. Further on, determination of factors that influence rate of concentration of marine microorganisms in bivalves will significantly improve technology of bivalve aquaculture.

National intercalibration exercise and consultation meeting on Experiment of survival of faecal pollution indicators in seawater microbiological methods for bathing water quality according new regulations.

20 Croatian National Monitoring Programme “Systematic Šolić, Mladen; Krstulović, Nada; Bojanić, Natalia; Research of the Adriatic Sea as a Base for Šestanović, Stefanija; Šantić, Danijela; Ordulj, Marin. Sustainable Development of the Republic of 2009. Seasonal variability in the bottom-up and top- Croatia” down control of bacteria in the middle Adriatic Sea. 33d Customer of Project: Goverment of the Republic of Congress of European Mirobiologists (FEMS 2009). Croatia Gothenburg, Sweden. 28.6.-2.7., 2009. Abstract No Contractors: IOR; IRB; HHI; IMP; UniDu; PMF 351.

Scientists of the Laboratory for Microbiology are Krstulović, Nada; Šolić, Mladen; Bojanić, Natalia. included in the subprojects „Impact of anthropogenic 2009. The role of ciliate size structure in controlling activities on the coastal sea (leader of subproject: bacterial and heterotrophic nanoflagellate abundances Nada Krstulović) and “Unusual phenomena threatening in the middle Adriatic Sea. 3rd Congress of European human health, tourism and fisheries”. Microbiologists (FEMS 2009). Gothenburg, Sweden. 28.6.-2.7., 2009. Abstract No 494.

Selected publications: Šantić, Danijela; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Krstulović, Nada; Šolić, Mladen. 2009. Seasonal dynamic of the Šolić, Mladen; Krstulović, Nada; Kušpilić, Grozdan; picoplankton in thr Jabuka Pit (central Adriatic Sea). Ninčević Gladan, Živana; Bojanić, Natalia; Šestanović, 11th Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Ecology (SAME- Stefanija; Šantić, Danijela; Ordulj, Marin. 2010. Changes 11). Piran, Slovenia. 30. August – 04. September, 2009. in microbial food web structure in response to changed p. 146. environmental trophic status: a case study of the Vranjic Basin (Adriatic Sea). Marine Environmental Research. Šestanović, Stefanija; Šantić, Danijela. 2009. Structure 70: 239-249. of microbial community in respect to hypoxia in meromictic lake. 11th Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Šolić, Mladen; Jozić, Slaven; Krstulović, Nada. 2010. Ecology (SAME-11). Piran, Slovenia. 30. August – 04. Interactive effects of temperature and salinity on the rate September, 2009. p. 147. of concentration of Escherichia coli in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Ostrea edulis). Fresenius Ordulj, Marin; Krstulović, Nada; Šantić, Danijela. Environmental Bulletin. 19: 1634-1639. 2009. Abundance and production of viruses and their relationship with bacteria in the middle Adriatic. 11th Šestanović, Stefanija; Šolić, Mladen; Krstulović, Nada. Symposium on Aquatic Microbial Ecology (SAME-11). 2009. The influence of organic matter and phytoplankton Piran, Slovenia. 30. August – 04. September, 2009. p. pigments on the distribution of bacteria in sediments of 219. Kaštela Bay (Adriatic Sea). Sciencia Marina. 73: 83-94.

Šolić, Mladen; Krstulović, Nada; Vilibić, Ivica; Bojanić, Natalia; Kušpilić, Grozdan; Šestanović, Stefanija; Šantić, Danijela; Ordulj, Marin. 2009. Variability in the bottom-up and top-down control of bacteria on trophic and temporal scale in the middle Adriatic Sea. Aquatic Microbial Ecology. 58: 15-29.

Mladineo, Ivona; Trumbić, Željka; Jozić, Slaven; Šegvić, Tanja. 2009. First report of Cryptosporidium sp. (Coccidia, Apicomplexa) oocysts in the black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) reared in the Mali Ston Bay, Adriatic Sea. Journal of Shellfish Research. 28: 541- 546.

Šolić, Mladen. 2009. Ljepota različitosti – ekološki uzroci biološke raznolikosti na Zemlji. Izvori, Zagreb, 288 str.

Radić, Tomislav; Šilović, Tina; Šantić, Danijela; Fuks, Dragica; Mičić, Milena. 2009. Preliminary flow cytometric analyses of phototrophic pico- and nanoplankton communities in the northern Adriatic. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin. 18: 715-724.

21 Laboratory for Benthos

Head of the Laboratory: Within the project of implementation of European Boris Antolić, Ph.D., Research scientist ([email protected]) Water Framework Directive in Croatia, researchers – Phytobenthos, taxonomy, phytocenology from the Laboratory intensively tested the bioindicator methods that use phytobenthos as indicator of the Staff: coastal water quality in the middle and south Adriatic Ivana Grubelić, Ph.D., Research associate (grubelic@ Sea. Study on appearance, spreading and impact of izor.hr) - Zoobenhtos, taxonomy, biology, ecology, alochthonous and invasive algae (Caulerpa taxifolia, biocenology Caulerpa racemosa, Womersleyella setacea, etc.) and Ante Žuljević, Ph.D., Research associate (zuljevic@ invertebrates (Ficopomatus enigmaticus, Siphonaria izor.hr) - Phytobenthos, invasive species, Natura 2000, pectinata, etc.) on biological, ecological and landscape education biodiversity along the eastern Adriatic coast is continued. Marija Despalatović, Ph.D., Research associate (mare@ Collaboration with the majority of laboratories for izor.hr) - Zoobenthos, taxonomy, biology, ekology, benthos in the area of the Mediterranean Sea and wider biocenology is established through several international projects in Ivan Cvitković, M.Sc.., Senior assistant ([email protected]) - which our laboratory actively participates. Public is Zoobenthos, taxonomy, biology, ekology, biocenology, informed about our research by electronic media and meiofauna press, several booklets and posters, and through Vedran Nikolić, B.Sc., Assistant ([email protected]) – Internet sites about Caulerpa species (http://jadran. Macroalgae, sea grasses, taxonomy, ecology, EU Water izor.hr/kaulerpa/). Additionally, researchers from the Framework Directive Laboratory are involved in the production of educational and documentary films that are awarded on international Overview of the Laboratory’s activities: festivals, biological guidebooks for protected areas, and the Red Book of benthic algae of the Adriatic Sea is in Laboratory for Benthos investigates composition and preparation. distribution of benthic flora and fauna, vegetation and benthic communities along the eastern Adriatic coast. The research is based on field sampling (SCUBA divers, drag, bottom trawl, grab, corer) and processing of collected samples in the laboratory (microscopic analysis, chemical and molecular-genetic analysis). Photography and videorecording with underwater camera of characteristic organisms and communities on the investigated areas are among the basic methods for documentation. Researchers from the Laboratory are also involved in applied investigations conducted by the Institute, such as monitoring and ecological studies with the aim to determine possible changes in composition and distribution of benthos, that are the results of natural and anthropogenic impact.

22 Top activities:

The Laboratory has organized an international In the beginning of 2010, in cooperation with Blue symposium on marine seagrass, Mediterranean World organization, the Laboratory published an 50 min Seagrass Workshop – 2009, held in Hvar in September documentary film: “Open Sea”. This film describes the 2009. It was an opportunity for scientists from almost oceanographic processes and organisms that live in all Mediterranean countries to exchange the information Adriatic open sea during spring. The film was presented on current research in biology, ecology and conservation on underwater film festivals in Belgrade and Marseille of marine seagrass. where it was awarded.

Participants of MSW09 symposium. DVD Cover of the documentary film “Open Sea”.

Projects: from Croatian part of the Adriatic; standardization of coastal water quality assesment methods (WFD); Biodiversity of benthos in the middle Adriatic Sea a new contribution to the knowledge of the marine Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and brackish seagrasses; analysis of overgrow fauna and Sports on rhizome and leafs of seagrass P. oceanica and Project leader: Boris Antolić composition of macro algae in the upper infralittoral layer on investigated transect coast-open sea in the Middle Composition and distribution of endemic species, geo- Adriatic; taxonomic revision of some algae taxa; human morphological and climatic characteristics make the impact, non indigenous and invasive species impact Middle Adriatic one of 10 biogeographic areas of the on benthic communities and species; development of Mediterranean. Middle Adriatic is divided in coastal, control methods for invasive species (genus Caulerpa); island and open areas with classification of transitional, completition of herbarium collection Ercegović/Špan; coastal, channel and open waters that result in preparation of red list and book of the marine flora; diversity of benthic species and their communities. education of public through brochures and internet. Littoralisation of the coast, over fishing and aquaculture Results of suggested research will be the base for are the main reasons of decreased biological diversity. further fundamental scientific research and will have Changes which occur in the Adriatic benthos and important role in education and nature protection (red coastal water quality should be measured by universal book, marine flora database, internet presentations on metric methods developed for the whole Mediterranean invasive species, legislative regulations, etc.). (WFD). Particularly important areas and species should be protected (Natura 2000, CroNEN) and public needs to be educated in this matter. Here are the hypotheses of the project: 1) Biodiversity of Middle Adriatic benthos is increasing from coast towards open seas; 2) Human impact, non indigenous and invasive species lead towards measurable changes of benthos in the Middle Adriatic; 3) Methods of water quality evaluation of coastal waters developed for Mediterranean Sea (WFD) are applicable for Middle Adriatic; 4) Education of public and global availability and application of scientific data help to preserve the benthos in the Adriatic Sea. Expected results are the following: creation of algae check list from taxa Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta in the Settlement of rare and protected seagrass Zostera marina found Middle Adriatic and creation of check list of Porifera in spring 2010.

23 Natura 2000 Brown algal biodiversity and ecology in the Financed by: State Institute for Nature Protection Eastern Mediterranean Sea Project leader: Ante Žuljević Financed by: TOTAL Foundation Project leader: Prof. Christos Katsaros Natura 2000 was realized in 2009 and 2010. In 2009 we made a Natura 2000 habitat base including 50 spot A 4-year international project “Brown algal biodiversity locations for which the Laboratory have had historical and ecology in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea” is data on habitat types, protected and invasive species. funded with € 300,000 by TOTAL Foundation. It aims During 2010, we completed the additional Natura 2000 to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the project for habitat cartography at southern side of Island Eastern Mediterranean seaweed biodiversity and its role of Hvar. This area was chosen due to our preliminary in the functioning of the marine ecosystem. The project results showing that in this area an extensive Posidonia is a multinational effort – even though it is centered in oceanica meadow is developed. Prosidonia oceanica Greece, it has major contributions by scientists from habitat is protected on EU protection level. Croatia (IOF-Split), Cyprus, Turkey, Israel, California, France, Germany, Japan and Scotland. Key objectives include pioneering studies of the largely unexplored Eastern Mediterranean’s deep-water flora, with the aid of submersible and ROVs and molecular-genetic research with the aim to resolve uncertain taxonomic classification of some species. This project will be a great opportunity to focus on the effects of climate change, pollution and invasive species on the Mediterranean Ecosystem. During the spring 2010 deepwater algal communites in the central Adriatic were surveyed with the use of R/V BIOS DVA and fully equipped ROV Pollux II in cooperation with Italian scientists from ISPRA institute. A very rare deepwater alga Laminaria rodriguezii was recorded near Palagruža island.

Deepwater alga Laminaria rodriguezii recorded near Palagruža island using ROV Pollux II. Caulerpa – the invasive Caulerpa species in SPA Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Culture Project leader: Ante Žuljević

The project started in 2005 and was financially supported on annual level by Ministry of Culture. The aim of the project is monitoring, education and research on eradication methods of invasive Caulerpa species. The activities are basically focused on SPA areas. The majority of the results are presented on web page jadran.izor.hr/kaulerpa (in croatian). During 2009 and 2010, the alga Caulerpa racemosa has been eradicated in National Park Mljet in the area of Fragment of mapped area during project Natura 2000 on south Great Lake. It was estimated that the algae should be side of Island of Hvar. controlled in this area due to unique biological features of the Lakes.

24 Internet site on invasive Caulerpa species. Field work during CARLIT index verification.

The web page was updated with new distribution map. SOLEMON (Solea monitoring) project For the SPA area we made a new educational poster on Financed by: FAO ADRIAMED Caulerpa species. Project leader: Nedo Vrgoč, national coordinator

Monitoring of coastal water quality (Project Pag- SOLEMON project started in 2005 within FAO Konavle) AdriaMed project, with the aim to achieve a common Financed by: Croatian Waters management of the Adriatic fishery resources, and Project leader: Grozdan Kušpilić the coordinator of the project is the Institute of Marine Research (ISMAR) of Ancona. The aim of the project is Details under Laboratory of chemical oceanography to estimate the abundance of the species Solea solea and sedimentology and the other commercial benthic species in the area of Within this Project, Laboratory for benthos performs the northern and middle Adriatic Sea using beam trawl, monitoring of coastal water quality with the use of which is an efficient gear for catching benthic species. macroalgae as bioindicators. An EU Water Framework Therefore, beam trawl surveys can give more realistic Directive compliant index (Ecological Evaluation Index data on abundance of target species in comparison - EEI) is calculated on eight stations in the vicinity of to other investigations carried out in that area, but large coastal cities. The result of this research is the using different gears. The research is conducted on 62 annual estimate of water quality classified into one stations, from Trieste to Gargano and from the Italian of five ecological classes (from bad to high), which is coast to Croatian territorial waters, on a total surface of based on seasonal sampling of macroalgal shallow 42400 km2. water communities. Croatian National Monitoring Programme “Systematic Characterization of the area, drafting of monitoring Research of the Adriatic Sea as a Base for program and execution of monitoring of water Sustainable Development of the Republic of quality in transitional and coastal waters in the Croatia” Adriatic Sea, according to the requirements of the Customer of Project: Goverment of the Republic of EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) Croatia Financed by: Croatian Waters Contractors: IOR; IRB; HHI; IMP; UniDu; PMF Project leader: Grozdan Kušpilić In this project Laboratory’s experts are participating Details under Laboratory of chemical oceanography in topic “Unusual phenomena” where they caring out and sedimentology monitoring of spread and impact of not native benthic Laboratory for benthos carries out testing and adaptation species, looking for possible eradication methods and of methods and indices for water quality assessment perform public education campaign on problem of using macroagae and seagrasses. Under the scope of alien species. Two green algae Caulerpa racemosa and this project we tested indices EEI (Ecological Evaluation Caulerpa racemosa were in the focus of the research. Index) and CARLIT for macroalgae, and POMI At the end of 2010, Caulerpa taxifolia is present only in (Posidonia oceanica Mulitvariate Index) for seagrasses. Stari Grad Bay while C. racemosa is present on almost Tested methods are implemented for the first time in 100 locations. the Adriatic Sea, they are Water Framework Directive Apart these two species, there are about 10 more compliant and based on extensive scientific research. benthic algae and invertebrates which are thought We are also testing seagrass based methods for the to be invasive like serpulid polychaete Ficopomatus use in Croatian transitional waters. enigmaticus which has been observed in estuary of rivers Zrmanja, Krka, Neretva and Mirna.

25 Selected publications:

Despalatović, M., I. Grubelić, C. Piccinetti, I. Cvitković, Slišković, M., G. Jelić-Mrcelić, B. Antolić, I. Aničić. B. Antolić, A. Žuljević, V. Nikolić. 2009. Distribution of 2010. The fouling of fish farm cage nets as bioidicator echinoderms on continental shelf in open waters of the of aquculture pollution in the Adriatic Sea (Croatia). northern and middle Adriatic Sea. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. Environ. Monit. Assess. DOI 10.1007/s10661-010- U.K., 89 (3): 585-591. 1402-y

Antolić, B., A. Špan, A. Žuljević, V. Nikolić, I. Grubelić, Mačić, V., B. Antolić, T. Thibaut, Z. Svirčev. 2010. M. Despalatović, I. Cvitković. 2010. A checklist of the Distribution of the most common Cystoseira species benthic marine macroalgae from the eastern Adriatic (Heterokontophyta, Fucales) on the coast of Montenegro coast: II. Heterokontophyta:Phaeophyceae.Acta (South-East Adriatic Sea). Fres. Environ. Bull. 19 (6): Adriat., 51(1):9-33. 1191-1198.

Despalatović, M., I. Grubelić, C. Piccinetti, I. Cvitković, Lazar, B., Žuljević, A., Holcer, D. 2010. Diet composition B. Antolić, V. Nikolić, A. Žuljević. 2010. Distribution and of a green turtle, Chelonia mydas, from the Adriatic Sea. abundance of the sand star Astropecten irregularis Natura Croatica, 19: 263-271. (Pennant, 1777) (Echinodermata, Asteroidea) on the continental shelf in the northern and middle Adriatic Sea. Acta Adriat., 51 (1): 35-44.

Laboratory for Benthos, pionner research of the island of Jabuka in 1962 and today using ROV, research wessel BIOS 2 and SCUBA divers (spring 2010); project Brown algal biodiversity and ecology in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

26 Laboratory of Ichtyology and Coastal Fisheries

Head of the Laboratory: fishing methods as well as study of catchability and Prof. Jakov Dulcic, PhD, Senior research scientist selectivity of gears. During the last few years, emphasis ([email protected]) - ichtyoplankton, juvenile fish, population is placed on studying the impact of climate changes on dynamics, aquaculture ichthyofauna. Additionaly, the laboratory is engaged in assessing the effectiveness of marine protected areas Staff: in terms of recovery of littoral ichthyocommunities. Miro Kraljević, PhD, Senior research scientist (kraljevic@ Activities of the Laboratory are supported through izor.hr) - juvenile fish, population dynamics, aquaculture, various national and international projects and there nutritionism is a continuous collaboration with the scientists of the Armin Pallaoro, PhD, Senior research scientist neighbouring countries. It is important to note that the ([email protected]) – systematics, biology and ecology of laboratory has been performing a continuous research fish,coastal fisheries of the coastal ichthyocommunities for the last 65 Sanja Matić-Skoko, PhD, Research scientist (sanja@ years. izor.hr) - juvenile fish, population dynamics, coastal fishery, biology and ecology of fish Top activities: Pero Tutman, Ph.D., Research Associate (tutman@izor. In addition to published papers, research results hr) - juvenile fish, fish biology, population dynamics, of these projects were the basis for creation of key systematics documents concerning the sustainable management of Branko Dragičević, B. Sc., Assistant ([email protected]) living resources in the Adriatic Sea (various regulations, - biology and ecology of fish, coastal fishery, invasive the Fisheries Strategy, Marine Fisheries Act). The species researchers of this Laboratory have also participated Nika Stagličić, B. Sc. Assistant ([email protected]) - fish in writing of the Red book of marine fishes in Croatia, biology, coastal fishery, protected marine areas which has already been promoted. Robert Grgičević, B. Sc. Associate ([email protected]) – coastal fisheries

Overview of the Laboratory’s activities: The Laboratory performs research in the fields of ichthyology and fishery biology, ecology of fishes, coastal fishery and fishing geasr and techiques. These researches encompass topics like systematics and zoogeography of fishes, life history aspects, ecology of ichthyoplankton, juvenile and adult fish species of the coastal area, conservation status of Adriatic fishes and other related topics. Special focus is placed on study of the dynamics of coastal fish populations and state and changes in coastal fish, crustacean and cephalopod populations due to their exploitation. Fishing gears and techiques research considers application of gears and

27 Projects: In order to determine the dynamics of target population in coastal area, the modern methods of fishery biology Management and biodiversity of sea living will be applied. A significance of the proposed project resources in Croatian coastal area lies in research that enable reasonable and sustainable Project leader: Jakov Dulčić fishery management of Croatian coastal area and it Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education adequate protection, as well as in better acquaintance and Sports with dynamic processes within fish populations.

A coastal fishery on the Croatian part of the Adriatic Recent changes in the Mediterranean fish fauna: is of enormous importance for all fishery activities in lessons learned from the Adriatic the Republic of Croatia and according to statistical Project leader: Jakov Dulčić estimates of the catch quantities takes second place. Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education On the basis of 35 years of research of composition and and Sports abundance of coastal fish communities, cephalopods and crustaceans, we have established that their catch Ichthyofaunistical research in the eastern Adriatic has a has been constantly decreasing with increased fishing longlasting tradition, starting from various fish species effort since 1960 in the Croatian coastal area, while checklists and their classification to a more modern the catch quality is also lower and accompanied by approach of today’s researchers. In the last decade, different phenomena related to catch composition. significant quantitative and qualitative changes have High exploitation of the Adriatic coastal resources been observed in the ichthyofauna of the Adriatic. has influenced the state and changes in many fish Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea ichthyofauna populations according to their biology, ecology and is experiencing rapid and significant changes driven catch sensitiveness. The aim of proposed project is by the global climate change, but also by the human systematic research of state and changes in coastal impact. Increasing number of thermophillic species areas, through studies of population dynamics of occuring in the Adriatic is the consequence of an commercially important fish, cephalopod and crustacean ongoing „tropicalization“ of the whole Mediterranean. species. An additional aim is obtaining the new biological The impact of lessepsian migrations and introduction knowledge in order to enable realiation of reasonable of new species by means of various anthropogenic and sustainable fishery management, together with activities is emphasized in the last few decades. All protection of ichthyo-communities. Target fish species these changes have a significant impact on the local will be those suggested by Croatian Fishery Strategy, ichthyofauna which has to be evaluated through various although other characteristic, important and dominant research on a continuous basis. The aims of this and coastal species will also be studied. The assumption is future research will be directed towards: widening of that the coastal communities have significantly declined our knowledge on the possible impact of alien species in number or even are overfished, thus their efficient on native ichthyofauna; investigations of biology protection is needed. Due to unreasonable exploitation, and ecology of new species occuring in the area; intra- and interspecies relationships in habitats are establishing a continuous monitoring programme to violated and detailed knowledge of population dynamics evaluate distribution of these species and the invasion is a necessary prerequisite for sustainable management rates. The aims of collaboration between Slovenian and effective protection.One of the major criteria for and Croatian scientists on this particular project is sustainable exploitation and efficacious protection is to unify the knowledge of the current status of the the detailed acquaintance with population dynamics. Adriatic ichthyofauna, especially with regard to recent The expected project results will be used as necessary climate driven changes and to raise public awareness scientific support to reasonable and sustainable on the importance of preservation of biodiversity and management of coastal sea living resources. ecosystem of the Adriatic Sea in general.

A specimen of the Oarfish,Regalecus glesne, caught near Stobrec in 2009.

28 Yellowmouth barracuda, Sphyraena viridensis, at the local fish Ichthyological research within Pag-Konavle project. market.

Monitoring of coastal water quality (Project Pag- Theme: Coastal communities of fish and other Konavle) edible marine organisms. Financed by: Croatian Waters Project leader: Grozdan Kušpilić Numerous and diversified coastal communities of Details under Laboratory of chemical oceanography fishes, cephalopods and crabs in the Croatian part of and sedimentology Adriatic Sea have been almost devastated in the recent years mainly due to intense fishing activities, reduction Croatian National Monitoring Programme “Systematic of legal minimum landing sizes and degradation of Research of the Adriatic Sea as a Base for habitats due to various factors. The signs of overfishing Sustainable Development of the Republic of are direct result of change in the equilibrium between Croatia” biological production and fishing effort. Permanent Customer of Project: Goverment of the Republic of monitoring of quantitative and qualitative status of Croatia fishery resources presents an essential knowledge Contractors: IOR; IRB; HHI; IMP; UniDu; PMF basis for their successful protection. Short-term aims of this monitoring programme are to evaluate the Theme: Spawning and nursery areas of impact of widely used fishing gears (various seine economically important fish and other marine nets, trammel nets, gillnets, long lines etc.) on the organisms coastal fish, cephalopod and crab communities in the present conditions of intense and poorly controlled The amount of renewable bioresources in marine fishing activities. Long-term aims are to ascertain types ecosystem, especially of economically important and range of changes in the communities of heavily species, depends in a great amount on the ecological exploited coastal fish, cephalopod and crab species conditions present at the spawning and nursery areas. and to propose efficient measures of their protection Normal development of early life stages is threatened and sustainable fishing. by various types of environmental pollution in the areas inhabited by those organisms. Great threat is Theme: Development and implementation of also presented by the fishery activity in nursery adequate fishing gears areas where large quantities of juvenile fish are being caught. The aim of this research is to investigate Great number of fishing gears used in the coastal ecological characteristics and functioning of selected fisheries throughout the Adriatic proves to be unselective biotopes and to develop a strategy for successful in regard to juvenile fish. Therefore, methods and protection of the living resources in those areas. The technologies should be developed with purpose to results of the study should provide information on the raise the selectivity of those fishing gears. The aims of qualitative and quantitative composition, temporal this programme is to establish technical characteristics and spatial distribution and ecological interrelations of of fishing gears which will enable for greater selectivity coastal communities of juvenile fish with emphasis on and consequently better protection of economically commercially important species. Furthermore, long- important species. term monitoring should provide insight in changes of ichthyo-communities caused by climatic change, pollution and other man-induced changes.

29 Selected publications: Dulčić, Jakov; Tutman, Pero; Prusina, Ivana; Tomšić, Sanja; Dragičević, Branko; Hasković, Edhem; Tutman, Pero; Dulčić, Jakov; Glamuzina, Branko, Glamuzina, Branko, 2009. Length-weight relationships 2009. First record of Po brook lamprey, Lethenteron for six endemic freshwater fishes from Hutovo blato zanandreai (Cephalaapidomorphi: Petromyzontiformes: wetland (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Journal of Applied Petromyzontidae), in the Hutovo Blato wetland, Bosnia Ichthyology. 25 (4) : 499-500 and Herzegovina. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria. 39 (1): 55-58 Dulčić, Jakov; Pallaoro, Armin; Dragičević, Branko, 2009. First record of the blue runner, Caranx crysos Dulčić, Jakov; Bartulović, Vlasta; Glamuzina, Branko, (Mitchill, 1815), for the Adriatic Sea. Journal of Applied 2009. The meagre Argyrosomus regius in Croatian Ichthyology. 25 (4): 481-462 waters (Neretva Channel, Southern Adriatic): recovery of the population or escape from mariculture? Annales Dulčić, Jakov; Baždarić, Branimir; Grubišić, Leon; for Istrian and Mediterranean Studies, Ser. Hist. Nat.. Tutman, Pero; Dragičević, Branko, 2009. Embryonic 19 (2): 1-4 and larval development of garpike from the Adriatic Sea. Integrative zoology. 4 : 272-276 Dulčič, Jakov; Kovačić, Marcelo; Dragičević, Branko, 2009. Range extension and additional records of Dragičević, Branko; Dulčić, Jakov; Capape, Christian, the yellowmouth barracuda, Sphyraena viridensis 2009. Capture of a rare shark, Oxynotus centrina (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sphyraenidae) in the (Chondrichthyes: Oxynotidae) in the eastern Adriatic eastern Adriatic Sea. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria. Sea. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 25, Suppl. 1: 56- 39 (1): 59-61 59

Matić-Skoko, Sanja; Ferri, Josipa, 2009. First record of Dulčić, Jakov; Pallaoro, Armin; Dragičević, Branko; Nika hyperostotic bones in a common dentex, Dentex dentex Stagličić-Radica, 2010. On the record of dwarf flathead (Sparidae) from the Adriatic. Cybium. 33 (4): 341-342 Elates ransonnetii (Platycephalidae) in the Adriatic Sea. Cybium. 34 (2) : 222-223. Dulčić, Jakov; Dragičević, Branko; Tutman, Pero, 2009. Record of Regalecus glesne (Regalecidae) from the Lipej, Lovrenc; Dulčić, Jakov, 2010. Checklist of the eastern Adriatic Sea. Cybium. 33 (4): 339-340 Adriatic Sea Fishes. Zootaxa. 2589 : 1-92.

Šantić, Mate; Mikulandra, Ivana; Pallapro, Armin; Parmentier, Eric; Bouillac, Gregory; Dragičević, Jardas, Ivan; Stagličić, Nika, 2009. Diet of poor cod, Branko; Dulčić, Jakov; Fine, Michael, 2010. Trisopterus minutus (Oseichthyes: Gadidae)from the Call properthies and morphology of the sound- eastern central Adriatic Sea. Cahiers de biologie marine. producing organ in Ophidion rochei (Ophidiidae). The 50: 183-192 Journal of Experimental Biology. 213: 3230-3236.

Lipej, Lovrenc; Mavrič, Borut; Dulčić, Jakov, 2009. Size Dulčić, Jakov; Dragičević, Branko; Lipej, Lovrenc, of the bull ray, Pteromylaeus bovinus (Geoffroy Saint- 2010. New record of the Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus Hilaire, 1817), from the northern Adriatic. Journal of Rathbun, 1896, (Decapoda: Brachyura) in the Adriatic Applied Ichthyology. 25, Suppl.1: 103-105 Sea. Annales, Series Historia Naturalis. 20 (1): 23-28.

Glamuzina, Branko; Dulčić, Jakov; Tutman, Pero; Ferri, Josipa; Petrić, Mirela; Matić-Skoko, Sanja, 2010. Matić-Skoko, Sanja; Tomšić, Sanja; Bartulović, Biometry analysis of the black scorpionfish, Scorpaena Vlasta, 2009. Record size of Salmo dentex (Heckel, porcus (Linnaeus, 1758) from the eastern Adriatic Sea. 1851) (Salmonidae) from Neretva River (Bosnia and Acta Adriatica. 51 (1): 45-53. Herzegovina). Cybium. 33 (2): 165-167

Morphometric analysis of the species caught with trammel nets.

30 Laboratory of Fisheries Science and Management of Pelagic and Demersal Resources

Head of Laboratory: tuna, hake, sea bream, John Dorry, monkfish, barbel, Gorenka Sinovčić: Ph. D., Senior research scientist squid, shrimp, and other species. The Laboratory ([email protected]) - fisheries biology, ecology and is systematically monitoring their status based on population dynamics, small pelagic fish resources, composition, structure and their distribution, studying pelagic fisheries the biology, ecology and population dynamics, and estimating abundance. The possibility of application Staff: of marking for registering trends of marine organisms Nedo Vrgoč, Ph. D., Research scientist ([email protected]) and their biological-ecological characteristics is also - fisheries biology, ecology and population dynamics of being researched, estimating the level of sustainable demersal resources exploitation and proposing effective measures for their Vjekoslav Tičina, Ph. D., Research scientist (ticina@ protection and preservation. izor.hr) - hydroacustics, fisheries biology, ecology and Furthermore, research is carried out in populations population dynamics, small pelagic fish resources, of critical habitats (nursery and spawning grounds) of pelagic fisheries economically most important species, their identification Melita Peharda Uljević, Ph. D., Research scientist and locations, analyzing by-catch as a direct indicator ([email protected]) - fisheries biology and ecology of of the degree of endangerment of habitats, monitoring shellfish, population dynamics, shellfish mariculture possible changes in biodiversity, analyzing the impact Barbara Zorica, Ph. D., Senior Assistant ([email protected]) of fishing on biodiversity, and proposing the protection - fisheries biology, ecology and population dynamics, measures. Research of large pelagic fish due to their small pelagic fish resources, pelagic fisheries use in aquaculture is also being performed. Vanja Čikeš Keč, Ph. D., Senior Assistant (cikes@izor. In addition to contributions to general knowledge hr) - fisheries biology, ecology and population dynamics, about the biology, ecology and population dynamics of small pelagic fish resources, pelagic fisheries species studied, the fundamental aim of the research Ezgeta Daria, B.SC., Assistant ([email protected]) that is carried out in the Laboratory is to find and Isajlović Igor, B.Sc, Associate ([email protected]) - fisheries recommend ways of implementating the sustainable biology, population dynamics of demersal resources exploitation of edible marine organisms for the purpose Bašković Dragi, B.SC., Associate of their preservation. Marušić Ivo, B.SC., Associate Vlahović Vanja, B.SC., Associate Šaškor Ivica, Senior Tehnician

Overview of the Laboratory’s activities: Research that is carried out at the Laboratory of Fisheries Science and Management of Pelagic and Demersal Resources is basic and applicational. It encompasses research of marine pelagic and demersal fish, crustacean, cephalopod and shellfish communities since the very beginning of the scientific work of Institute. It mainly refers to the commercially most important species in the Adriatic: sardine, anchovy, mackerels,

31 Top activities:

The Red Book on marine fish of Croatia was promoted (published by the end of December 2008) in writing of which the collaborators of the Laboratory have participated. The book is especially important from the point of view of protecting the fauna in the Adriatic Sea. In this book, all data on Croatia’s marine ichthyofauna have been published in one place for the first time in Croatia. Endangering of 123 taxa on the basis of criteria of The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has been estimated and the main reasons for it have been listed (overfishing, degradation of habitat, environment contamination, disturbing the population, climatic changes and connecting more frequent occurrence of the alochtonic species. Three extincted taxa have been listed and additional five being on the way to extinction Dorry Zeus faber, cephalopods: squid Loligo vulgaris, in the Adriatic Sea. Specific protection measures have musk octopuses Eledone moschata and E. cirrhosa, been suggested. shrimp Nephrops norvegicus and shellfish: mussel Apart from the published papers (see the list), research Mytilus galloprovincialis, oyster Ostrea edulis, warty results of the stated Projects have served as the basis venus Venus verrucosa, smooth clam Callista chione, for writing key documents for rational management carpet shell Ruditapes decussatus, Noah’s Ark shell of living resources in the Adriatic Sea (Strategy of the Arca noae and striped venus Chamelea gallina. Fisheries Development, Marine Fisheries Low, as well Because of the variability of composition, structure as other regulations ). and distribution of renewable, economically important By the end of 2009, two-year research on the feeding pelagic and demersal species of the Adriatic Sea, of economically important species of shellfish began systematic monitoring of the population state was (Unity Through Knowledge). This kind of research has performed on the basis of composition, structure and not been carried out by the Institute till now. distribution, biological and ecological characteristics, Apart from the above mentioned, during 2009 and population dynamics, density and size of populations. 2010, three doctoral dissertations were defended – two The research was also conducted on tuna (Thunnus in 2009 and one in 2010. thynnus), which is a very important large pelagic fish species. This especially referred to specimens in cage Projects: farming. During the previous research period, three doctoral Biodiversity and management of pelagic and dissertations were completed - two in 2009 and one demersal resources of the Adriatic in 2010. Three graduation theses were completed as Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education well. and Sports Project leader: Gorenka Sinovčić Population stock assessment of the most important small pelagic fish species in the Adriatic The planned research for the Project concerning by the method of Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) the state of pelagic and demersal fish, crustacean, – 2009 cephalopods and shellfish populations in the Adriatic Financed by: MAFRD, Fisheries Directorate was carried out by the Laboratory of Fisheries Science Project leader: Gorenka Sinovčić and Management of Pelagic and Demersal Resources in the Adriatic Sea in the year 2009 and 2010. The The aim of the Project was to learn about population research was performed on marine organisms which dynamics and quantities of the most important pelagic inhabit characteristic, critical, the most important fish species, sardine Sardina( pilchardus) and anchovy fishing areas of Croatian part of the Adriatic: estuaries, (Engraulis encrasicolus), in the Adriatic Sea (GSA 17) coastal waters, channels and open sea waters. Those in order to be able to rationally manage them while are also nursery and spawning grounds of the most realising optimal catches. It was necessary to establish economically important pelagic and demersal species. basic biological parameters: length, weight, sex and Some of the studied pelagic species are: sardine age composition, time of spawning, first sexual maturity, Sardina pilchardus; anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus, natural, fishery and total mortality rates, length-weight Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus; chub mackerel relationship, renewal rate, rate of exploitation, catch per Scomber japonicus; gilt sardine Sardinella aurita, unit effort and total amounts of catches. The study results garfish Belone belone, sprat Sprattus sprattus, Atlantic are shown in the figure presented here, identifying a full bonito Sarda sarda. Some of the studied demersal fish exploitation of sardine in the Adriatic Sea. On the basis species are: hake Merluccius merluccius, barbel Mullus of this research, certain protection measures have been barbatus, sea bream Pagellus erythrinus, monkfishes proposed to the relevant Ministries for the purpose of Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa, John preservation of the studied populations.

32 Pelagic monitoring 2009 - acoustic assessment of distribution and abundance of small pelagic fish with monitoring of pelagic ecosystem in the Adriatic Sea (PELMON 2009) Financed by: MAFRD, Fisheries Directorate Project leader: Vjekoslav Tičina

Research performed within the framework of PELMON 2009 Project had the objective to provide Fisheries Directorate of MAFRD with information about spatial distribution and population status of small pelagic fish (target species: anchovy, sardine and sprat). The Fluctuations of the estimated amounts of sardine in the Adriatic Sea purpose of the research was to evaluate possible (obtained by VPA method and ultrasonic detection method) changes in target species populations, as well as in the pelagic ecosystem in general, caused by natural Assessment of distribution and abundance of changes or antropogenic activities. demersal fish species and other marine organisms Sampling is based upon continuous acoustic data in the Adriatic Sea (DemMon) collection obtained by scientific sounder SIMRAD EK60 Financed by: MAFRD, Fisheries Directorate along acoustic transects prospected by research vessel Project leader: Nedo Vrgoč (acoustic survey), biological sampling of acoustic targets in the water column (fish, zooplankton, phytoplankton), Staring from year 2002, members of this Laboratory set and, in addition, data acquisition on environmental up a permanent monitoring of demersal fisheries with the abiotic properties (temperature, salinity, oxygen, objective of describing recent state of this type of fishery sediment). The importance of information on possible and creating recommendations for establishing a long changes in population structure, spatial distributions term sustainable management. Demersal monitoring and abundance of anchovy, sardine and sprat caused includes collection of fisheries, biological and socio- by antropogenic activities is particularly highlighted. economic data on demersal fishery in the Republic This information presents the base for future long-term of Croatia. Sampling is conducted on commercial sustainable exploitation of renewable living resources by fishing vessels in the entire fishing sea of the Republic Croatian pelagic fishery, in accordance with ecosystem of Croatia, as well as on main landing sites. Collected based management in pelagic fishery. data are used as scientific background for creation of regulation measures for fisheries and protection of this potentially renewable marine resource.

PHARE: Assessment of demersal fish and shellfish stocks commercially exploited in Croatia Financed by: MAFRD, Fisheries Directorate Project leader: Nedo Vrgoč

This project was financed by access funds of the EU (PHARE) with following objectives: assessment of state of demersal resources (fish and shellfish) as basis for commercial fisheries; assessment of development potential of demersal fishery in the Republic of Croatia; and providing biological basis for creation of key documents for fisheries management (National fisheries strategy). During the implementation period numerous samplings were conducted on commercial fishing vessels, landing sites and scientific vessels. Data on distribution, population structure (length frequency composition, sex ratio, maturation), and long and short term biomass indices were collected and analyzed for the most important demersal species (including bivalves) and recommendations for future long term sustainable management and protection were provided. Special attention was devoted to identifying negative impact of fishing activities on target and un-target species in catches (by-catch). One of the especially Diagram of the seafloor and hydroacustic sampling of marine important results of this project is setting up of national organisms using the SIMRAD EK60 (38 KHz) echosounder. plan for data collection in demersal fisheries that is in accordance with those implemented in EU member countries (DCR- Data collection Regulation).

33 Experimental survey in the deep Adriatic Sea Financed by: FAO AdriaMed Project leader: Nedo Vrgoč (National coordinator)

The objective of this project is describing uninvestigated pelagic and demersal communities in the deepest parts of the South Adriatic Pit (at depths greater than 1000 m), as well as to determine suitable fishing gear for sampling at these depths. So far, samplings have been conducted using following gears: bottom trawl net, pelagic trawl net, surface and bottom long line, traps for crustaceans and fish, and plankton net. Relevant scientific institutions from all Adriatic countries MEDITS (Mediterranean International Bottom participate in this project that is conducted in the Trawl Survey) framework of FAO AdriaMed. Financed by: EC and MAFRD, Fisheries Directorate Project leader: Nedo Vrgoč (National coordinator) UWTV Survey in the Central Adriatic Jabuka Pit Financed by: FAO AdriaMed MEDITS project represents systematic and permanent Project leader: Nedo Vrgoč (National coordinator) monitoring of state of demersal communities in the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea. Project is financed This project is conducted in the framework of FAO in part by EU, and in part by participating countries. AdriaMed project with the objective of introducing Following countries participate in this project: Spain, alternative methodology for assessment of demersal France, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, resources, primarily Norwegian lobster (Nephrops Albania, Malta and Cyprus. Croatia joined MEDITS norvegicus) in the Jabuka Pit area. Participating project in 1996. Since 2001, participation in MEDITS institutions are IOF (Split, Croatia) and CNR (Ancona, project is mandatory for all EU member countries and Italy). The objective of this project is assessment of methodology of data collection and their analysis is Norwegian lobster biomass in the Jabuka Pit with the standardized for all participants. Data collected through use of underwater camera, and comparison of such this project make up the basis for assessment of data with data obtained by bottom trawling net (though state of commercially most important species in the projects MEDITS, FAO AdriaMed Trawl survey, GRUND, Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea, as well as for creation DCR and DemMon). of national and international management plans for demersal resources. Bivalve feeding, competition and predation – what is at play? Adriamed trawl survey in the Adriatic Sea Financed by: Unity through Knowledge (www.ukf.hr) Financed by: FAO AdriaMed Project leader: Melita Peharda Uljević Project leader: Nedo Vrgoč (Regional coordinator) This project started in October 2009, and for period of two Through agreement between countries neighboring years is investigating feeding of commercially important the Adriatic Sea, in the framework of AdriaMed project, bivalve species. Main objectives of this investigation are permanent investigation of demersal resources has determining whether there is predation and competition been organized since 2002 to complement MEDITS relation between different bivalve species with respect to project. Namely, MEDITS project describes state of their food, what is the importance of such relationships potentially renewable demersal resources of the Adriatic and what impact they have on collection of bivalve seed in spring-summer period, that is during spawning time and aquaculture production. Project proposes meeting of majority of species. Supplementary investigation (in of these objectives through investigation of seasonal the framework of FAO AdriaMed project) describes changes in plankton communities and the analysis of state of resources during fall-winter period, with the stomach contents of several bivalve species including objective of gaining a more complete picture of state black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and European of resources and seasonal changes in species biomass flat oyster Ostrea( edulis) from aquaculture, as well as indices. This project covers the eastern side of the Noah’s Arka shell (Arca noae) and horse bearded mussel Adriatic (Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro and Albania), (Modiolus barbatus) from natural populations and while the complementary investigation along the experimental aquaculture. This aspect of research was western Adriatic is conducted through Italian national not covered in our studies at the IOF and presents new project GRUNT. Upon completion of annual expedition beginning in studies of trophic relations. Results of this data are exchanged between participants and joint project will be used for determining carrying capacities analysis is performed. for bivalve aquaculture in certain area, determining needs for spatial zoning of bivalve aquaculture with the objective of reducing competition and predation between species as well as assessment of potential for

34 commercial aquaculture of A. noae and M. barbatus. Mustać, B.; Sinovčić, G. (2009). Comparison of Several IOF laboratories participate in implementation of mesenteric and tissue fat content in relation to sexual this project including Laboratory for fisheries sciences cycle of the sardine, Sardina pilchardus (Walb., 1792), and management of pelagic and demersal resources, in the eastern Middle Adriatic fishery grounds (Croatia). Laboratory of plankton and shellfish toxicity, and Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 25(5); 595-599. Physical oceanography laboratory. Further on, project Isajlović, I.; Piccinetti, C.; Vrgoč, N.; Dulčić, J. (2009). First participants also includes scientists from the Centre record of the smallmouth spiny eel, Polyacanthonotus for marine Studies, Institute Ruđer Bošković (Rovinj, rissoanus for the Adriatic Sea. Cybium. 33(2);169-170. Croatia), and University College Cork (Cork, Ireland). Krstulović Šifner, S.; Vrgoč, N.; Dadić, V.; Isajlović, I.; Peharda, M.; Piccinetti, C. (2009). Long-term changes in distribution and demographic composition of Thornback ray, Raja clavata, in the northern and central Adriatic Sea. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 25 (1); 40- 46. Isajlović, I.; Vrgoč, N.; Dulčić, J. (2009). On a record of the box crab, Paromola cuvieri (Risso, 1816) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Homolidae) in the south-east Adriatic (Croatian waters). Crustaceana (Leiden). 82 (8); 1087-1090. Sinovčić, G.; Zorica, B.; Čikeš Keč, V.; Mustać, B. (2009). Inter-annual fluctuations of the population structure, condition, length-weight relationship and abundance of Tagging of shellfish for the purpose of growth research sardine, Sardina pilchardus (Walb., 1792), in the nursery Croatian National Monitoring Programme „Systematic and spawning ground (coastal and open sea waters) of Research of the Adriatic Sea as a Base for the estern Adriatic Sea (Croatia). Acta Adriatica. 50 (1); Sustainable Development of the Republic of 1-10. Croatia“ Isajlović, I.; Vrgoč, N.; Zorica, B.; Peharda, M.; Krstulović Customer of Project: Goverment of the Republic of Šifner, S.; Piccinetti, C. (2009). Age, growth and length– Croatia weight relationship of Coelorinchus coelorhincus (Risso, Contractors: IOR; IRB; HHI; IMP; UniDu; PMF 1810) in the Adriatic Sea. Acta Adriatica. 50 (1); 23-29. Mustać, B.; Sinovčić, G. (2010). Reproductive biology, Laboratory staff take part in theme 2.2.1. and 2.2.2. of length-weight relationship and condition of sardine the Project in which biological and population dynamics Sardina pilchardus (Walb., 1792) in the eastern Adriatic parameters of pelagic and demersal fishes and edible Sea. Periodicum biologorum. 112; 133-138. invertebrates species in the Adriatic Sea have been Zorica, B.; Sinovčić, G.; Jardas, I. (2010). Morphometic studied. Emphasis is placed on nursery and spawning and meristic characteristics of Painted comber, Serranus grounds such as estuaries, parts of channels, coastal scriba (L. 1758), in the Trogir Bay area (eastern mid- and open sea waters of the Croatian part of the Adriatic). Periodicum biologorum. 112; 139-143. Adriatic. Particular attention has been given to the most Sinovčić, G.; Zorica, B.; Čikeš Keč, V.; Mustać, B. commercially important pelagic and demersal species. (2010). Long-term changes in stock size of sardine These data represent a basis for the evaluation Sardina pilchardus (Walb.) in the Adriatic sea. Third of the state of their populations, spotting unusual conference on marine technology. Rožanić, Igor (ur.). occurrences and basic parameters for the estimation Rijeka : 354-364. of their abundance and biomass, presenting a basis for Mustać, B.; Sinovčić, G. (2010). Morphometric and suggestions on legal acts of the fisheries regulation at meristic parameters of sardine (Sardina pilchardus, the same time. Walbaum, 1792) in the Zadar fishing area. Ribarstvo : znanstveno-stručni časopis za ribarstvo. 68; 27-43. Selected publications: Peharda, M.; Stagličić, N.; Ezgeta, D.; Vrgoč, N.; Isajlović, I.; Krstulović Šifner, S. (2009). Distribution Krstulović Šifner, S.; Vrgoč, N. (2009). Diet and feeding and population structure of Arca noae in the Pašman of the musky octopus, Eledone moschata (L., 1798), channel. Ribarstvo : znanstveno-stručni časopis za in the eastern Adriatic Sea. Journal of the Marine ribarstvo. 67 (1); 3-10. Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 89(2); Ninčević Gladan, Ž.; Ujević, I.; Milandri, A.; Marasović, 413-419. I.; Ceredi, A.; Pigozzi, S.; Arapov, J.; Skejić, S.,; Krstulović Šifner, S.; Vrgoč, N. (2009). Reproductive Orhanović, S.; Isajlović, I. (2010). Is Yessotoxin the Main cycle and sexual maturation of the musky octopus Phycotoxin in Croatian Waters? Marine drugs. 8 (3); Eledone moschata (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) in the 460-470. Northern and Central Adriatic Sea. Scientia Marina. 73 (3); 439-447.

35 Laboratory of Aquaculture

Head of the Laboratory ichtyopopulations that live in the vicinity. The spatial and Prof. Ivan Katavić, Ph.D., Senior research scientist temporal distribution of natural populations is examined, ([email protected])- aquaculture, new species in their biodiversity and biometrics, and it is compared with mariculture habitats outside the impact of the farms. The population- genetic studies of microsatellites in populations of Staff: wild and farmed gilthead sea bream are in progress. Jasna Maršić Lučić, Ph.D., Research scientist, (jmarsic@ Laboratory conducts research on the diseases of izor.hr) - aquaculture, population genetics of fish and marine organisms, with emphasis on parasitic diseases shellfish of fish and shellfish in aquaculture, especially those with Leon Grubišić, Ph.D., Research scientist (grubisic@ zoonotic characteristics (Anisakis spp, Cryptosporidium izor.hr) - aquaculture, new species in mariculture, spp.) The approach to research is holistic and includes cryopreservation of gametes the basic microscopic identification of parasites (light Ivona Mladineo, Ph.D., Research scientist (mladineo@ and transmission electron microscopy), molecular izor.hr)– ichtyopathology identification and phylogeny of the parasites (COX Mladen Tudor, Ph.D., Research associate (tudor@ markers, ITS, rDNA), and the detection of pathological izor.hr) - modeling of impact of aquaculture on the changes induced in the host (the classic histology, IHC, environment IF). To complete the picture of the effect of pathogens Tanja Šegvić Bubić, B.Sc., Assistant (tsegvic@ on hosts in the system of susceptible breeding in izor.hr) - aquaculture, new species in mariculture aquaculture, we have initiated a study of functional Ivana Lepen Pleić, B.Sc.,Assistant ([email protected]) - fish genomics of fish, with emphasis on the expression of immunology genes involved in immune response (cytokines, Toll- Mladen Jozić, senior technician ([email protected]) like receptors, lysozyme) as well as indicators of stress genes (qPCR, microarray). One of the activities of the Overview of the Laboratory’s activities: Laboratory of Aquaculture is also the mathematical Within the Laboratory of Aquaculture research is modeling of the impact of fish farms on the environment. focused on the issue of introducing new species in Two computer programs (TunaMod and AquaKult) are aquaculture with emphasis on high-value species: made and used in making the studies of environmental Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) and red scorpion- impact of tuna, gilthead sea bream and sea bass farms. fish Scorpaena ( scrofa). A method is determined for collecting individual brood fish, their adaptability to conditions of captivity and feeding. Biotechnological research is based on the experiments concerning the possibility of cryopreservation of fish milt and production of polyploid, monosex or sterile culture materials. The farming of tuna (Thunnus thynnus) based on fishing is also covered by the research. Taking into account the economic value of the tuna and the impact they may suffer from a poor diet, in the purchase of frozen food it is especially important to check its safety based on the content of volatile amines. By the method of visual observations the impact of tuna farms is estimated, as well as of white fish and shellfish farms, on the natural

36 Projects: human diseases (Anisakidae). In order to establish known patterns for the spread of parasite population Dynamics and pathology of parasitofauna in in the reared fish, experimental study will be set up to reared marine fish systems determine the velocity and conditions for the parasite Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education reproduction and development of parasitic stages. and Sports Results from the fish farm and the experimental results Project leader: Ivona Mladineo will be used to develop mathematical models of parasite- fish relationship. Besides, hydrodynamic models will be Parasitic organisms must reach the host to live and introduced in order to assist in the final consideration propagate on or within it. There are two main strategies and evaluation of conditions and spread mechanisms to improve the contact with host: by increasing the of parasite population in the farm environment. number of released developmental stages or by the production of stages that will decrease the randomness Development of a health genomic profile for the of contacts with the host. Fish as a host enclosed in captive Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus( thynnus) cages are faced with specific conditions that usually Financed by: UKF (23/08); Croatian Ministry of Science, facilitate the transmission of parasites from the natural Education and Sports, Unity through Knowledge Fund environment or between individuals in the cage. Past and World Bank parasitological studies of cage-reared white fish never Project leader: Ivona Mladineo included parasitofauna of “lateral” host, e.g. wild fish or organisms from net biofouling, which are in close Fish in a captive rearing environment are challenged contact and probably have a considerable role in the daily with stress factors that induce a number of outbreak, spread and outcome of some parasitic measurable physiological changes in their biology, disease. The main goal is to describe seasonal parasitic impacting their welfare, health and the overall condition. fluctuation in ecosystem of reared white fish and tuna, Stress, being inevitable and constant at least to some including wild fish and fouling organisms of cage nets. extent, is imposed by environmental or anthropogenic Based on the characteristics of parasitic community activities and may induce a decrease in an individual’s in such an ecosystem, wide interactions between immunocompetence. Currently, we are able only to named host categories will be analyzed, in order to deduce a degree of stress, not to bypass it completely. mathematically describe the causes and consequences We propose to set up a reliable molecular assay able to of parasitic spread, pathological impact or the reasons signal the stress levels at a preclinical stage that would of unsuccessful host colonization. Attention will be allow a prompt intervention to attenuate its impact. The attributed to the reared tuna parasitofauna, since it is proposed research project has the scope to develop a nowadays the most valuable species in aquaculture, non-invasive tool in reared bluefin tuna based on cDNA even though the scientific publications dealing with its microarray technology, which would allow the detection health status including parasite invasions are scarce. of oscillations in the immune gene expression at the Monitoring of some tuna parasites would have also an early stage of stress in tuna cages. ecological purpose, since the parasites from migratory fish species could be used as biological tags for stock COGITO - Molecular assessment of parasite assessment in fisheries, very important for planning transmission between cage-reared and wild and management of catching quotas and tuna farming. sparid fish species Molecular methods will be used to determine the genetic Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education structure of some parasitic groups in case of questionable and Sports (Croatian – French program Partnership taxonomy (Didymozoidea) or causative agents of Hubert Curien 2009/10) Project leader: Ivona Mladineo

More than 15 euryhaline marine fish species are reared in the Mediterranean, among which some of the economically most important are members of Sparidae family – seabream (Sparus aurata) and sharpsnout bream (Diplodus puntazzo). In 2004, Croatia had 34 officially registered finfish rearing facilities, mainly small family enterprises, which is evidence in favor of socio- economic importance of aquaculture in Croatian coastal zone. Nevertheless, the losses caused by different pathogens, parasites included, are a very important factor in the sustainability of aquaculture, and regardless of the fact that wild fish is considered as a major source of different diseases, intertransmission of pathogens between cage-reared and wild fish in Mediterranean aquaculture is still lacking hard evidence and research. Didymosulcus katsuwonicola

37 So far, only sporadic observations based on isolation Proposed project a concrete questions in mariculture and identification of parasites common to wild fish in aiming at better understanding and elimination of critical the vicinity of finfish farms and cage reared fish exist. points in production. Fry producers expect contributions This however does not give convincing proof that the to the knowledge on possibilities for spawning and pathogen isolated from wild and captive fish belong culture of fry of new, commercially interesting species to a genetically identical population, or give strong as well as on culture methods for monosex (female) and evidence of parasite intertransmission between hosts. sterile (triploid) sea bass. Optimization of culture methods Monogenean trematodes (Trematoda, Digenea) like will enable rationalization of production expenses and Sparicotyle chrisophrii and Lamellodiscus elegans, reduction of negative impacts of mariculture on the are common parasites on gills of a number of captive marine environment. sparids that, especially in summer with the sudden rise of sea temperature and in combination with bacterial AQUAMED - Developing a strategy for aquaculture infections, induce high mortalities in their reared hosts. research in the Mediterranean Financed by: European Union (FP7) Research of zootechnical and environmental Project leader: Ivona Mladineo conditions for fish and cephalopods farming Financed by: Croatian Ministry of Science, Education The fast development of the Mediterranean aquaculture and Sports (freshwater, marine) is confronted with a set of Project leader: Ivan Katavić difficulties e.g. inadequate production systems and competitiveness, interaction and spatial competition Insufficient involvement of scientific investigation with other users and the need for a proper integration is one of the major problems in mariculture sector. in the coastal zones, possible negative impact on Consequence of that is orientation towards culturing of the environment and negative image of the product only two fish species, relatively low technological level quality. Aquaculture development in the Mediterranean of production, lack of automation, high food conversion countries varies in terms of importance of the sector, factor and in general low competitiveness. Further on, domestic market demand, typology of the industry, and there is increasing concern for the ecological aspects of research and development structures and capacities. mariculture as consequence of insufficient knowledge Consequently, a strategy for a knowledge-based about impacts of culturing on marine communities. development of this activity has to be implemented Therefore, proposed project will aim to support using a flexible and coordinated approach. To deliver sustainable, profitable and ecologically acceptable practical results, the AQUAMED project will be based development of national mariculture. Activities on the on the four step process consisting of (1) mapping project will be directed towards gaining new knowledge and setting a database of all relevant information and optimization of zootechnology of mariculture, (about policies, research and socio-economy) in each evaluation and introduction of new species into partner country, (2) identifying common situations and mariculture, cultivation based on catch (tuna, octopus), constraints between countries, (3) grouping countries as well as evaluation of mariculture impacts on natural confronted with similar driving forces in order to foster ichthyo-populations. Investigations will result in new information exchanges and formulate more focused findings that will enable establishing of brood stocks science-based recommendations and (4) setting up and adaptation of new species to conditions in captivity. of a multi-stakeholder platform to promote a research Investigation of biological response of new species to organization and a revolving implementation plan aiming changing environmental conditions will enable justified at the sustainable development of aquaculture. estimation of their introduction to mariculture. We will define optimal methods for species whose cultivation is based on catch as well as for species that are cultivated during their entire life cycle. Biotechnological experiments will be directed towards gaining monosex and sterile juvenile populations that are characterized by better growth rates, and in case of escape from culturing facilities will not have impact on natural biodiversity. Through monitoring of reproductive biology of cultured tuna, we will collect data on gametogensis in cage conditions that will facilitate eventual induction of spawning and cultivation of different development stages. Project will also encompass investigations on impacts of fish cage culturing on natural ichthyo- populations that form assemblages near culture installations. Investigations and results will be verified in experimental hatchery on the basis of collected samples and compared with similar studies published in journals dealing with aquaculture. Octopus vulgaris eggs

38 market statistics. Because of feeding and tuna increase in captivity, higher tuna quantities were found on market annually, in comparison to the limits of catch quota. This causes doubts that preclude direct catch statistics control. Until now, tuna farming was not accompanied by proper monitoring; there were no data regarding farmed tuna increase, coefficient of food conversion, etc Additional problem lies in specific farming duration in the Adriatic Sea. Farming usually lasts for a few years (2-3), precluding high-quality annual statistics. According to ICCAT recommendations (Rec 06-05 and 07-05) and EU regulations (EC COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1559/2007 of 17 December 2007 establishing a multi-annual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean and amending Regulation (EC) No 520/2007), and under Croatian Tuna Catch, Farming and Market Regulation, it is needed to establish permanent scientifically based tuna farming monitoring. Monitoring should be conducted by authorized scientific institution based on protocol provided by MPRR. Gathered data are sent to ICCAT after verification by Fisheries department of MPRR. Scorpaena scrofa embryogenesis Fish and mussel farms impact on wild fish assemblages and on traditional coastal fisheries Farming selectivity in aquaculture - Tuna spawning Financed by: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and project Rural Development, Fisheries Directorate Financed by: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Project leader: Leon Grubišić Rural Development, Fisheries Directorate Project leader: Leon Grubišić Natural and artificial Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) in open waters are widely recognized for their capacity to It is well known that current tuna farming is based on attract pelagic fishes with tendency of large fish shoals exploitation of wild fish stocks. Decrease of wild tuna formations. Offshore fish farms may be analogous to stocks due to intensive fishing beyond the limits of large FADs (fish aggregated devices) and the unused sustainability can seriously endanger already existing feed portion falling through the cages likely enhances tuna farming activities. If the existing trend (e.g. the attractive effect. declining of tuna natural population) continues, it could Thus, the aims of project were: 1) getting insight in result in high fishing limitation. Consequently, the tuna coastal fish assemblages’ composition and structure farming industry can become endangered. So, only exposed farming activities, particularly for finfish (gilthead tuna fingerling production under controlled condition sea bream, sea bass), bluefish (tuna) and shellfish could provide a long-term sustainability of tuna farming (oyster, mussel) farms and 2) to evaluate aggregated activities. The purpose of this project is to start the fish assemblages impact on traditional coastal fisheries. investigations that will lead toward the controlled seed production. Research will be focused on tuna (Thunnus thynnus, L.) reproduction in captivity (e.g. sea cages), gonads development, egg collection and embryonic and larval stage development.

Monitoring of tuna farming Financed by: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, Fisheries Directorate Project leader: Leon Grubišić

Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) capture based aquaculture represents valuable activity in Croatian fisheries economy. Present activity in corporation with fish processing industry has fully utilized the potential of purse seine fleet. However, tuna farming causes problems in proper data collection in fish catch statistics, as well as in Embrionic development of the bluefin tuna

39 Dulčić, Jakov; Baždarić, Branimir; Grubišić, Leon; Tutman, Pero; Dragičević, Branko. 2009. Embryonic and larval development of garpike from the Adriatic Sea. Integrative zoology, 4:272-276.

Mladineo, Ivona; Block, Barbara A. 2009. Expression of Hsp70, Na+/K+ ATP-ase, HIF-1a , IL-1b and TNF- a in captive Pacific bluefin tunaThunnus ( orientalis) after chronic warm and cold exposure. Journal of One day old bluefin tuna larva. Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 374:51-57.

Farming activity affects the nutrient enrichment of Mladineo, Ivona; Bočina, Ivana. 2009. Type and oligotrophic Adriatic Sea and consequently can affect ultrastructure of Didymocystis wedli and Koellikerioides the diversity of fish assemblages and coastal fishing intestinalis (Digenea, Didymozoidae) cysts in captive activities. So, it is needed to explore abundances, Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.). Journal of seasonal migrations, age structure, sex ratio, feeding Applied Ichthyology, 25 :762-765 . behaviour of wild fish assemblages aggregated in farm vicinity with purpose to obtain account of assemblages’ Mladineo, Ivona; Bočina, Ivana; Metaxa, Isabelle. 2009. variability, biomass, migration dynamics and to validate Ultrastructural Changes in Gill Ephitelium of Wels catfish their impact on coastal fish catch. Special accent was Silurus glanis adapted to brackish water. Vie et Milieu - given to shellfish predator (gilthead sea bream) and Life and Environment, 59:69-78. shellfish farm activities impact on predator population (abundance, seasonal migration, age structure). Mladineo, Ivona; Trumbić, Željka; Jozić, Slaven; Šegvić, Tanja. 2009. First report of Cryptosporidium sp. Selected publications: (Coccidia, Apicomplexa) oocysts in the black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) reared in the Mali Ston Bay, Mladineo, Ivona; Bott, Nathan; Nowak, Barbara; Block, Adriatic Sea. Journal of Shellfish Research, 28:541- Barbara. 2010. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses 546. reveal that habitat selection drives the speciation of Didymozoidae (Digenea) parasitizing Pacific and Atlantic Mladineo, Ivona; Zrnčić, Snježana; Oraić, Dražen. bluefin tuna. Parasitology (London),137:1013-1025. 2009. Severe helminthic infection of the wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Cetina River, Croatia. Bulletin of Šimat, Vida; Maršić-Lučić, Jasna; Tudor, Mladen; the European Association of Fish Pathologists, 29:86- Mladineo, Ivona. 2009. Long-term storage influence 91. on volatile amines (TVB-N and TMA-N) in sardine and herring utilized as food for tuna fattening. Journal of Mladineo, Ivona; Šegvić, Tanja; Bočina, Ivana; Grubišić, Applied Ichthyology, 25: 766-770. Leon. 2009. Redescription of Myxidium sphaericum (Thélohan, 1895) and Ceratomyxa beloneae (Lubat et Šimat, Vida; Soldo, Alen; Maršić-Lučić, Jasna; Tudor, al., 1989) from the gallbladder of the garpike Belone Mladen; Bogdanović, Tanja. 2009. belone in the Adriatic Sea. Acta Parasitologica, 54 (4): Effect of different storage conditions on dielectric 289-294. properties of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Acta Adriatica, 50(1): 5-10. Mladineo, Ivona; Šegvić, Tanja; Grubišić, Leon. 2009. Molecular evidence for the lack of transmission of the monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea) and isopod Ceratothoa oestroides (Crustacea, Cymothoidae) between wild bogue (Boops boops) and cage-reared sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Aquaculture (Amsterdam), 295 (3-4):160-167.

Fish families aggregation around tuna farm in the eastern Adriatic Sea. Shellfish farm in the Malostone Bay

40 Computing Center

Head of the Computing center Damir Ivanković, ([email protected])

Besides the maintenance of server computers and other Basis of indicators of the status of the marine IT equipment of the Institute, the Computing Center environment, aquaculture and fisheries: provides technical support to scientific, professional and educational activities. The main activities are: http://www.izor.hr/azo

– Development and Management of oceanographic Seawater quality in the Republic of Croatia: databases with network interface – Development and maintenance of real-time data- http://www.izor.hr/quality collection applications with automatic verification and database recording – Application and development of Geographic The main center of local area network consists of over Information Systems (GIS) 120 computers and a dozen server computers. Firewall, – Development and maintenance of oceanographic routers, and switches are located in a separate system data measuring systems room. The server computers fulfill different purposes, including managing e-mail, static and dynamic web For the purposes of the Institute and collaborative pages, development and operational base of the institutions numerous applications with network access measured data and numerical hydrodynamic models, as via Internet browser have been developed, and the well as management of the real-time measurements. most important are:

Referral base of oceanographic data http://jadran.izor.hr/roscop

Systems in real time: http://jadran.izor.hr/automjerenja http://jadran.izor.hr/nascum http://jadran.izor.hr/barograf

41 Library of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries

Head of the Library: The library holdings and services meet the needs of Ingrid Čatić, prof. – library, publishing activities, scientists and all the parties involved. The activities ([email protected]) and services of the library include: book loan service, interlibrary loan and information exchange, as well as Staff: photocopying and printing of materials. The main room Vlatka Kamber - technician of the library is very representatively furnished and used as a meeting-as well as a lecture- room. History: This specialized Library of the Institute of Oceanography Membership in various relevant organizations: and Fisheries was founded in 1930. The first scientists Being a part of the Institute, the largest and oldest at the Institute personally took care of completing Croatian scientific institution for the marine research the library fund with the most important books on involved in the international scientific cooperation, oceanography and fisheries. Ever since the beginning the library is the Central Croatian Marine Research the library has been receiving periodicals and other Library. As part of its services to Member States, library material mostly by exchange with other countries the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission across Europe and all over the world. The Institute’s has agreed to supply one officially designated IOC journal Acta Adriatica was instituted in 1932. Depository Center in each country with copies of its publications and main documentation. So, the library of Library’s fund and activities: the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split is The library offers scientific and professional literature the IOC / UNESCO Depository Center for Croatia. in oceanography, fisheries, biology, chemistry, physics This library is also a member of European and environmental sciences to the Institute’s scientists, Association of Aquatic Sciences Libraries researchers all over Croatia and students. The library and Information Centers - EURASLIC, which is a also offers the collections of the world’s maritime network linking European aquatic sciences libraries and expeditions, old and rare books, theses, studies and information centers and a regional group of IAMSLIC scientific papers. - the International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers.

42 International Journal of Marine Sciences ACTA ADRIATICA Acta Adriatica publishes continuously since 1932 Croatian and foreign original scientific contributions on all aspects of marine sciences, preferably from the Mediterranean. Here is some general information about the Journal: Acta Adriatica was among the first on-lineopen access scientific journals (from 1999). Summaries of each volume are available on our web pages: www.izor.hr/acta/eng.

From 2004 full text is available on-line in pdf format. 56% of the published articles deal with biology (biology and ecology of pelagic and benthic fish in the Adriatic and Mediterranean);

18% deal with issues of importance to commercial fishing (reporting data on stock assessment using direct and indirect methods; aquaculture-lagoon fisheries and shellfish farming);

14% deal with marine physics (seasonal & long-term fluctuations, temperature increase, dynamic conditions, geostrophic currents, upwelling) and

12% deal with chemistry and pollution (quantities and distribution of nutrients, eutrophication, heavy metals in sea water, sediments, content of pollutants: oils, detergents and pesticides, growing impact of anthropogenic activities on the marine ecosystem).

The status of the Journal has been measured in relation to other scientific journals specializing in marine sciences, particularly those from the Adriatic and the Mediterranean area (in Jokić M., Acta Adriat., 39(1): 81-90, 1998). Among 54 analyzed journals, Acta Adriatica occupies the 12th position with respect to the number of citations of its articles in the most relevant secondary publications and databases. In addition, the number of citations of articles from Acta Adriatica in the SCI has been analyzed for the period between 1970 and 2000 (in M. Andreis and M. Jokić, study in progress). Compared to 119 Croatian scientific journals dealing with all fields except medicine, Acta Adriatica ranks second, based on the number of citations in the SCI database. The journal also got the calculated impact factor for the first time, which is 0.459 for 2009.

Currently, Acta Adriatica is indexed in the following data bases: Agricola, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, CNRS-INIST, Dialog, DOAJ, EBSCOhost, Staff: Fish & Fisheries Worldwide by NISC, South Africa, Georeference, HRČAK, ISI Web of Knowledge, Oceanic Prof. Jakov Dulčić, Editor-in-Chief Abstracts, Pollution Abstracts, ProQuest, Referntnij Anita Marušić, prof., Technical Editor Zhurnal, SCI Expanded (WoS- Web of Science), Water Vladimir Marinić-Kragić, Technician Resources Abstracts and Zoological Record. Dijana Ruščić, Technician

43 Van Veen grab for sampling of sediment from the sea bottom Gravitational sediment sampler. There is also additional equipment installed onboard, such as refrigerating plant with total capacity amounting to 9 m3, fume hood and fish separator. All the preliminary activities for implementing the sonar Simrad SX90 for locating fish and echo-sonar with split beam Simrad EK60-120KHz are completed.

NAVICULA

Navicula is a fast craft, Type Calafuria 30fly manufactured by the shipyard Pontaleguscuro, Italy in 2002. There are two crew members and up to 6 researchers can be accommodated on board. Research Vessels The boat has standard navigational equipment. Its length is 10.8 m, width 3.5 m, draught 0.9m and The Institute is in possession of two research vessels: tonnage 7GRT. The autonomy of the vessel is 200 Nm BIOS TWO, designated for longer cruises in the Adriatic and travel speed is 23 Nm/h. The boat is employed for and Mediterranean, with autonomy of 2000 Nm, and shorter coastal research and for servicing the operative the fast craft NAVICULA for shorter coastal researches oceanographic measurement systems. with autonomy of 200 Nm. For more information visit the website www.izor.hr.

BIOS TWO

BIOS TWO is a brand new research vessel of the Institute, built in the Naval and Special Vessels Shipyard in Split in 2009. It was built as a replacement for the old research vessel BIOS that was in use from 1953 until last year. The new ship was constructed to satisfy the specific requirements of the oceanographic and fishery research conducted by the Institute. The basic data about the vessel are: length 36.3 m, width 8.15m, draught 3.357m, tonnage 336 GRT, service speed 11.8 Nm/h. There are 6 crew members on board and up to 18 researchers can be accommodated. INFLATABLE BOAT The vessel is equipped with four hydraulic winches (trawl-, net- and two oceanographic winches), lateral Inflatable boat Maestral 380 with engine Tohatsu 18 sliding A-frame and folding hydraulic crane, three HP was purchased for the needs of the Caulerpa laboratories (wet, dry and microbiological laboratory) 2005 Project. It is mainly used for diving activities of and room for electronic and computer equipment. the Laboratory for benthos, but is frequently used for In addition to the standard navigation equipment, the chemical, physical and bacteriological samplings as vessel is equipped with the various scientific equipment, well. During 2009 a trailer was purchased, so that most of which is connected to the local area network: the inflatable boat became an even more important Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) Trimble part of the research equipment. Only during 2010, for SPS551, WAAS < 1m and OmniStar&SeaStar (< 0.1m the requirements of the projects within the EU Water supported service) Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), more than 400 km Rosette SBE32s and 12 water samplers of 8 l volume of coastline were inspected and mapped. and multiparameter CTD probe SBE25 Acoustic current meter RDI Mariner 300KHz XBT electronic bathythermograph Sipppican MK 21 Meteorological station AIRMAR LB150 Echo split beam sonar EK60-38KHz Hydrophone NETMINDTM Acoustic separators with remote units EgdgeTech Model8011A and IXSEA 801 Portable ultrasonic modem UWM1000 for communication with the instruments under the sea, range of 350 m.

44 SAGITA, 1932. BIOS, 1932.

ISTRAŽIVAČ, 1947. HVAR, 1947 - 1953.

PREDVODNIK, 1947 - 1981. BIOS, 1969

BIOS and NEKTON, 1970 BIOS, 2005

Old research vessels of Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries.

45 Guest Scientists and Foreign Students

Guest scientists Foreign students

Prof. Brian Morton (Natural History Museum, London, Alessandro Rinaldi (University of Palermo, Department UK) visited the Institute from 13 to 20 September 2010 of Ecology, Vialle delle Scienze Ed. 16 Palermo, Italy) visited the Institute from 13 to 20 April 2010 Prof. Roger Nisbet (Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Zoran Adam (Institute of Engineering Sciences of Barbara) gave lecture on “Selected Topics of the Theory Toulon and Var, France) gave lecture on „Does sea level of Dynamic Budget” on 14 July 2010 storminess increase?“ visiting the Institute from 1 June 2009 to 25 July 2009 Dr. Ian Ridgeway (School of Ocean Sciences, University of Bangor, UK) gave lecture on „Investigating the exceptionally long life spans of bivalves“ while visiting the Institute from 18 -19 May 2010

Prof. John Davenport (University College Cork, Ireland) gave lecture on „Studies of carnivory in bivalve molluscs“ while visiting the Institute from 16 – 23 March 2010

Dr. Sven M. Bergmann (Institute Friedrich-Loeffler) gave lecture on „Diagnostical possibilities for the detection of fish viruses“ on 20 January 2009

Dr. Davorin Medaković (Institute Ruđer Bošković, Centre for Marine Research Laboratory for Biomineralization, Nanostructures and Radioecology, Rovinj) gave lecture on “Processes of Biomineralization of sea organisms. Possibilities for cooperating in the EUCOST project TD0903. Understanding and manipulating enzymatic and proteomic processes in biomineralization: towards new biomimetic strategies, the creation of tailored nano- scale architectures and environmental monitoring” on 22 September 2009

Dr. Andrei Ivanov (P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow) gave lecture on “Use of SAR satellite technology for detecting undersea oil and gas wells»/ while visiting the Institute from 18 to 28 October 2009

Dr. Yves Desdevises (Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, France) gave Dr. sc. Simonepietro Canese (ISPRA, Rim, Italija) and ROV Pollux II lecture on “Cophylogeny, adaptation and speciation in during Brown Algae Expedition on research vessel BIOS. some host-parasite systems“ on 10 December 2009

Dr. Simonepietro Canese (ISPRA, Rome, Italy). As an expert for ROV, he participated with the underwater vehicle Pollux II in the field research with the vessel BIOS TWO from 10 to 15 May 2010, in the project “Biodiversity and Ecology of brown algae in the eastern Mediterranean”

46 Educational Activities of the Institute

Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries is actively DESCRIPTION OF UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC involved in organizing and/or performance of university PROGRAMS: academic programs at undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels: Undergraduate university program: MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY 1. Undergraduate university programs: The program of Marine biology and ecology educates 1.1. MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY the professionals for working in the field of biological 1.2. MARINE FISHERIES oceanography, which includes a wide range of biological researches from diversity of marine organisms to their Organizer of academic programs: Department of distribution, characteristics, mutual relations and Marine Studies of the University of Split interactions with the marine environment. Due to the Performer of academic programs: University of Split, increasing problem of disposal of a large number of Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries harmful and hazardous substances into the sea, and the irrational use of marine resources, special attention 2. Graduate university programs: is given to protection of endangered species and ecologically vulnerable areas. For better understanding 2.1. MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY of biological processes in the sea, it is necessary 2.2. MARINE FISHERIES to become familiar with the functioning of the entire marine ecosystem. That requires an extremely high Organizer of academic programs: Department of degree of multidisciplinarity, which is achieved through Marine Studies of the University of Split the program of this study. Performer of academic programs: University of Split, Marine biology and ecology program, organised by Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries Department of Marine Studies of the University of Split is performed as an undergraduate and graduate study. 3. Postgraduate university programs: Duration of undergraduate study of Marine Biology and Ecology is three years or 6 semesters, and by it at least 3.1.INTER-UNIVERSITY POSTGRADUATE STUDIES 180 ECTS points are acquired. IN APPLIED MARINE SCIENCES Upon completion of undergraduate study a title of a Bachelor/Bachelorette (baccalaureus / baccalaurea) of Organizers and performers of academic programs: Marine Biology and Ecology is acquired. University of Split, University of Dubrovnik, Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries Head of Study:

3.2.INTERDISCIPLINARY POSTGRADUATE STUDIES Prof. Sanja Matić Skoko, PhD, IN OCEANOLOGY Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63. Joint performers of academic programs: Faculty of E-mail: [email protected] Science of the University of Zagreb, Institute Ruđer Phone: 385 21 408 030 Bošković - Rovinj/Zagreb, Institute of Oceanography Fax: 385 21 358 650 and Fisheries - Split, Institute for Marine and Coastal Research of the University of Dubrovnik

More information on the studies in Oceanology on: http://geol.gfz.hr/poslijediplomski/doktorski_studij.htm

47 Graduate university program: MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY

Graduate program of Marine Biology and Ecology is services of the fishing activities and in companies multidisciplinary in its content. During this study, the involved in fishery, farming, processing and marketing basic knowledge of the natural sciences is widened into of fish and other marine organisms, decay prevention, more specific knowledge related to issues in biology, management and protection of living marine resources. ecology and protection of the sea. Interaction of course The need for such professional staff will be even more contents with modern scientific knowledge, already pronounced after organizing the Coast Guard, but established at the undergraduate level, becomes more also after our country joins the European Union. Study pronounced during graduate study and thus represents of Marine fisheries, organized by the Department of the logical continuation on a higher level of education. Marine Studies of the University of Split is performed as Upon completion of graduate study a title of Master undergraduate and graduate study. (Magister) of Marine Biology and Ecology is acquired. Undergraduate study of Marine Fisheries lasts three years or 6 semesters, and by it at least 180 ECTS Head of Study: points are acquired. Upon completion of undergraduate Prof. Mladen Šolić, PhD, study a title of a Bachelor/Bachelorette (baccalaureus/ Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, baccalaurea) of Marine Fisheries is acquired. Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63. E-mail: [email protected] Head of Study: Phone: 385 21 408 006 Prof. Ivona Mladineo, PhD., Fax: 385 21 358 650 Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63. E-mail: [email protected] Undergraduate university program: Phone: 385 21 408 047 MARINE FISHERIES Fax: 385 21 358 650 Information for future students (enrollment criteria and For the proper and responsible management and procedures, etc.) protection of renewable marine resources and development and progress of fisheries activities, Graduate university program: farming, conservation, processing and marketing of fish MARINE FISHERIES and other marine organisms, it is important to educate professionals necessary for successful operation of Graduate Study of Marine Fisheries provides expert marine fisheries. These professionals are educated at and scientific widening of knowledge acquired through the undergraduate Marine fisheries program, which is undergraduate studies and thus represents the logical the only study in our country educating highly qualified continuation of education on higher level. The program personnel for working in the field of marine fisheries. is multidisciplinary, in which on the basis of knowledge of Marine fisheries, as a theoretical and applied scientific natural and biotechnical sciences, knowledge of specific discipline, includes methods and activities of fishing, areas related to the issues of fisheries, aquaculture, and farming, processing and marketing of fish and other management of living marine resources as well as on the marine organisms, as well as methods, management, use of fisheries products is acquired. Upon completion protection and exploitation of living marine resources. of graduate study a title of a Master (Magister) of Marine Consequently, the undergraduate Marine fisheries Fisheries is acquired. program, which educates highly qualified professionals to work in this area, covers issues in marine biology Head of Study: and fisheries biology, exploitation, management and Prof. Ivan Jardas, PhD. conservation of renewable marine resources, use University of Split, Center of Marine Studies, Split, of fishing gears, fishing vessels and fishing ports, Livanjska 5/III. fish farming and farming of other marine organisms, E-mail: [email protected] processing technology and the prevention of sea Phone: 385 21 558 253 products decay, marketing of fish and other marine Fax: 385 21 558 257 organisms and economics and organization of marine fisheries. Considering that the professionals who are studying at this university study are rare not only in Croatia, but in Europe as well, they will certainly have a prominent role in all administrative bodies dealing with issues of marine fisheries, in economic and commercial chambers, in the inspection

48 Inter-University Postgraduate Studies in Applied Marine Sciences

The Adriatic Sea is of the utmost economic importance The Study is organized on the basis of the latest scientific for Croatia, but it is also important for its historical, knowledge and skills based on it, in cooperation with social and cultural heritage. Connection with the sea scientific institutions involved in marine research, such continuously improves the quality of our lives and our as the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split identity. Sea area over which the Republic of Croatia and the Institute for Marine and Coastal Research of achieved full sovereignty (territorial sea) and sovereign the University of Dubrovnik, which provides great rights (exclusive economic zone) is approximately equal opportunities of practical training for students. Research to its land area. A substantial share of material goods programs of the above mentioned institutions enable comes from maritime activities and services related to student involvement in the areas of scientific work that the sea, however, resources are much larger than the is precisely the basis for the applied marine sciences. present use. There are many priorities and possibilities Duration of study: Postgraduate study in Applied Marine of using the marine environment, its living and non-living Sciences lasts three years or 6 semesters, and by it at resources, and especially its unexplored and unused least 180 ECTS points are acquired. resources, both renewable and non-renewable. Academic title: Upon completion of postgraduate study In order to use the undeniable potential of resources of a title of Doctor of Science (Dr. sc.) in the field of Biology the sea and seabed and its living wealth in a reasonable is acquired. and long-term sustainable way, it is necessary to Competencies acquired upon completion of the study: become familiar with the environment, particularly with • Experience gained through participation in research the functioning of marine ecosystems. Only science can projects in scientific institutions and university initiate the development and provide practical application departments, of that knowledge in both social sciences and in the • Knowledge gained from a particular branch of marine natural and biotechnical marine sciences, in order to science, depending on student’s interests, use new and better solutions for economic purposes. • Interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that allow For this purpose, highly educated professionals are critical analysis and creative solutions for the integral needed, who, in close contact with European and world management of the sea and the coastline, science, shall seek the best solutions for research and • Development of biotechnological processes of rational use of marine resources, providing a reasonable exploiting potentially renewable marine resources, management of marine resources, directing regional • Ability to apply specific knowledge in practice, development through comprehensive planning and • Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams for solving the coordination of interests and needs of different users in specific problems within protection and management the area (tourism, transport, aquaculture, fishing, etc.). of the sea and the coastline. Some of these activities are not in harmony with one another and can be harmful to one another. Therefore, Head of Study: the development of a country needs experts who will Prof. Nada Krstulović, PhD., exploit the sea in a sustainable manner for the benefit Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Split, of its population and marine ecosystems. This task can Šetalište I. Meštrovića 63. be achieved through systematic education with the E-mail: [email protected] following basic objectives: (1) acquiring basic knowledge Phone: 385 21 408 006 of social sciences of the sea so the legislation could Fax: 385 21 358 650 be properly created and applied, (2) becoming able to predict changes in marine ecosystems in response to various influences, (3) exploiting marine resources in controlled and sustainable manner, and (4) developing biotechnological processes for exploiting the potential of renewable marine resources. Postgraduate university studies in Applied Marine Sciences is markedly multidisciplinary in its content, because the basic knowledge of the natural sciences, especially biological, chemical and physical oceanography, is widened by the specific knowledge necessary for the design of proper (or sustainable) management and protection of the Adriatic Sea.

49 50