Conservation measures
Since the endemic soft-mouthed trout is widespread in a very limited area (in the EU it lives only in Croatia), it is threatened by any negative change in the watercourses it inhabits. Threats to its survival are the regulation and subdivision of watercourses, poaching, introduction of invasive alien fish species, excessive use of pesticides in agriculture, reduced quality and slowed water flow. Habitat degradation caused by human influence and habitat fragmentation, rapidly reduces the resilience and survival rate of soft-mouthed trout populations to the pressures encountered on a daily basis.
The project activities are focused on restoring habitats and soft-mouthed trout populations in the rivers Jadro and Vrljika, which are one of the last remaining habitats of this species. One of the main conservation measures is to ensure longitudinal connectivity of river ecosystems through the removal of artificial barriers or enabling their passability for undisturbed downstream and upstream movement of fish species.
Other conservation measures are: restoration and maintenance of coastal vegetation with native species, removal and control of invasive alien fish species, control of macrophytes and achieving stability and sustainability of soft-mouthed trout populations.
Monitoring and evaluation
The implementation of the key objectives of the project will be monitored:
- hydromorphological parameters and conditions,
- physico-chemical parameters.
- the number of invasive alien species,
- distribution, diversity and sustainability of soft-mouthed trout,
- fish migrations,
- socio-economic effects of the project and impacts on the local community,
- activities of raising awareness of the project and dissemination of information,
- effects on the remaining target Natura 2000 species,
- restoration of coastal vegetation
- macrophytic vegetation control.
Monitoring will be carried out twice a year and annual reports will be prepared based on the results obtained.
Public awareness and visibility
We would like to introduce the general and interested public to the LIFE programme, raise awareness of the Natura 2000 ecological network and the threat of soft-mouthed trout. We focus on introducing the public to the topic of the importance of river connectivity and the contribution of a "healthy", free flowing river to improving the degree of conservation of species and habitats.
Croatia is the only country of the European Union where the soft-mouthed trout lives and we have a special responsibility for its preservation. We would like to educate the inhabitants of Split-Dalmatia County, the entire Croatia and the wider region, so that by their inclusion in sustainable management of natural resources, they can directly help in our efforts to preserve soft-mouthed trout. Any interested individual can contribute to this by avoiding pollution with pesticides and artificial fertilizers, restoring and maintaining native coastal vegetation, avoiding the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, supporting their removal and control, and supporting the removal and adaptation of artificial water barriers, as well as not supporting the construction of new ones.
The general public will be involved through the media, social networks and project websites, various communication activities, organized events, and promotional materials. The interested public will be able to actively contribute to nature conservation by participating in the volunteer campaign "IMPROVE SARNI LIFE" within which simple measures will improve the condition of the Sarni stream in the Medvednica Nature Park.
Local residents will be informed and involved in the process of habitat restoration on their rivers through stakeholder workshops.