The GEF-funded project “Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach in the Adriatic Sea through Marine Spatial Results Planning” (GEF Adriatic) is carried out across the Adriatic- Ionian region with focus on two countries: Albania and Montenegro. of Marine Research The main objective of the project is to restore the ecological balance of the Adriatic Sea through the use of the ecosystem in Montenegro approach and marine spatial planning. Also, the project aims at accelerating the enforcement of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Protocol and facilitating the implementation of Summary the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Program. Eventually, it will contribute to the achievement of the good environmental status of the entire Adriatic. The project is jointly lead by UNEP/MAP, PAP/RAC and SPA/RAC. In Montenegro, the project is being implemented with the coordination of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism. The project duration is from 2018 to 2021. Logos en anglais, avec versions courtes des logos ONU Environnement et PAM La version longue des logos ONU Environnement et PAM doit être utilisée dans les documents ou juridiques. La version courte des logos est destine tous les produits de communication tourns vers le public. Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism MONTENEGRO IV Proleterske brigade 19, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro MINISTRY OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM E: [email protected] Coordination: Ivana Stojanović (Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism), Marina Marković (PAP/RAC) Authors: EO1: Vesna Mačić (Posidonia oceanica) and Slavica Petović (coralligenous assemblages) (Institute for marine biology, University of Montenegro); Egidio Trainito (coralligenous assemblages in Boka Kotorska Bay) EO5: Danijela Joksimović (marine chemistry), Dragana Drakulović (phytoplankton) and Branka Pestorić (mezozooplankton) (Institute for marine biology, University of Montenegro); Davor Lučić (microzooplankton) (Institute for marine and coastal research, University of Dubrovnik) EO7: Branka Grbec (Institute for oceanography and fisheries) EO9: Danijela Šuković, Vladimir Živković, Bojana Knežević, Željka Ćetković (Center for ecotoxicological research) Summary prepared by: Marija Tripunović Editing: Cover design: swim2birds.co.uk Graphical editing: Ljudomat Proofreading: Cakum-Pakum d.o.o. This report has been prepared as part of the GEF Adriatic project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). For bibliographical purposes this document may be cited as: UNEP/MAP-PAP/RAC-SPA/RAC and MSDT (2019). Results of Marine Research in Montenegro – Summary. Ed: PAP/RAC – GEF Adriatic project. 46pp Results of Marine Research in Montenegro – Summary Table of contents INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 BIODIVERSITY ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1 BIODIVERSITY OF POSIDONIA MEADOW (Posidonia oceanica) ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1 HRID ĐERAN LOCATION ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.2 CRNI RT LOCATION ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.3 BULJARICA LOCATION .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.4 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 2 CORALLIGENOUS ASSEMBLAGES ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 CORALLIGENOUS ASSEMBLAGES IN BOKA KOTORSKA BAY .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 2.1.1 Dražin vrt ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1.2 Sopot ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 2.1.3 Turski rt ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 2.1.4 Conclusion: Coralligenous assemblages in Boka Kotorska Bay ..................................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2 CORALLIGENOUS ASSEMBLAGES IN THE OPEN SEA .................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.1 Velika Krekavica cave .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.2 Ponta Veslo ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.3 Rt Mačka ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.4 Conclusion: Coralligenous assemblages in the open sea ............................................................................................................................................................................. 19 HYDROGRAPHY, EUTROPHICATION AND CONTAMINANTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 21 3 HIDROGRAPHY ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 3.1 THERMOHALINE PROPERTIES ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 3.2 TRANSPARENCY ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 3.3 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27 4 EUTROPHICATION ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 4.1 DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONTENT IN THE WATER COLUMN ............................................................................................................................................................................. 28 4.2 CONCENTRATION OF KEY NUTRIENTS IN THE WATER COLUMN ................................................................................................................................................................... 28 4.3 CHLOROPHYLL-A AND PLANKTON ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29 5 CONTAMINANTS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32 5.1 HEAVY