Montenegro has prepared a Draft Strategy for the Protection of the Marine Environment until 2036, establishing a long-term framework for preserving and improving the state of its seas in line with European standards.
The document was prepared as part of Montenegro’s obligations as an EU candidate country, particularly regarding alignment with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC). This directive, together with its 2017 amendments, has been fully transposed into national legislation through the Law on Marine Environment Protection.
The strategy defines the starting principles, spatial, thematic, and temporal scope, as well as the objectives for marine environment management until 2036. The Adriatic Sea under Montenegro’s jurisdiction represents a sensitive marine ecosystem, whose protection is crucial for the sustainable development of tourism, shipping, fisheries, and other economic sectors.
The strategy includes an assessment of the marine environment, identification of major pressures and impacts – such as tourism, maritime traffic, waste, eutrophication, and climate change – and an action plan for monitoring and protective measures. Strategic and operational objectives until 2036 aim to achieve and maintain good environmental status through integrated programs and a monitoring system.
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The document brings together four key annexes: the initial assessment of Montenegro’s marine environment, characteristics of good environmental status and protection objectives, the marine environment monitoring program, and the program of measures to achieve or maintain good environmental status. Each of these documents was previously subject to separate public consultations and received positive feedback from the European Commission.
Since all elements of the Strategy have already been prepared and formally adopted, the Strategic Framework provides a consolidated overview of the marine environment, defined strategic and operational objectives, as well as priorities and expected long-term effects of implementation until 2036.
The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Development has issued a public call inviting the general public – including citizens, businesses, the scientific and professional community, state authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders – to participate in the public consultation on the Draft Strategy. The public consultation will last 20 days from the date of the announcement.
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