The NGO Montenegrin Ecologists Society, in cooperation with the NGO Septentrion Environnement from Marseille, conducted 20 days of field research on the marine fish species – the dusky grouper. The research was carried out in the coastal area of the future marine protected area (MPA) – Katič (stretching from Skočiđevojka in the north to Queen’s Beach and the surroundings of the pier in Čanj in the south).
The aim of the research was to assess the status and distribution of juvenile dusky groupers (E. marginatus) in the future MPA – Katič. In addition to the dusky grouper, data were also collected on the goldblotch grouper (E. costae), as well as all other fish species encountered by the diving team.
Across the Mediterranean, there is a noted decline in grouper populations, most commonly due to illegal fishing. In Montenegro, the minimum legal catch size for dusky grouper is 45 cm, yet smaller individuals are often seen in restaurants.
The slow growth of groupers, as well as their unusual life cycle, makes it difficult for their populations to recover from overfishing. Each individual begins life as a female, and once it reaches a certain age and size, it transforms into a male. It takes females about five years to reach sexual maturity, and at least another five to transition into males, which makes population recovery a slow process.
MPAs – especially no-fishing zones – are crucial refuges for species like groupers that are heavily exploited. These areas provide undisturbed space and time needed for populations to recover. Once the number of individuals in these zones increases sufficiently, a so-called “spillover effect” occurs – fish begin to move from strictly protected areas into surrounding waters, replenishing fish stocks throughout the region.
In addition to illegal fishing, the future MPA Katič – and grouper populations within it – are also threatened by wastewater from Petrovac, which, according to local fishers, is discharged directly into the sea near the island.
The results of this research, along with recommendations for conservation and enhancement of grouper populations, will be available by the end of the year. This research is part of the project “Supporting the Local Community in the Protection and Promotion of the Potential MPA Katič”, implemented by the Montenegrin Ecologists Society in cooperation with NGOs Green Home and Mediterranean Center for Environmental Monitoring (MedCEM), with financial support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF).
