Refresh Fish LIFE – Improving the conservation status of endangered freshwater fish species that are endangered or in unfavourable-bad conservation status in Šibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia Counties

The goal of the work package is to contribute to the achievement of the project's goals by timely implementation of activities and tasks in accordance with their description and within the financial and time frame. This will be achieved by good coordination of project users with clear responsibilities and roles of the coordinating institution, each project beneficiaries and associated partners in order to achieve the specific and general goals of the project. The public institution "Krka National Park" is the coordinating user of the project responsible for the implementation of this work package and the overall coordination of all work packages as well as the implementation of project activities and tasks. Project management and coordination is carried out through 2 bodies - the Steering Committee (SC) and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). Project team members will conduct regular partner meetings and reports through the organization of the project's administrative, logistical and financial plan. As part of this work package, it is planned to create a After LIFE Plan in order to ensure the continuation of the implementation of activities in the years following the end of the project and to ensure the long-term exploitation, replication and dissemination of the project's results.

The implementation of tasks within this work package contributes directly to reach project Specific objective 1: To improve degree of conservation of freshwater fish species that are endangered and/or with unfavourable current conservation status by controlling alien and invasive alien fish species.

Implementation of the activities will result by:

1. Improved degree of conservation of 3 native and critically endangered species with 100% of population in project area (Knipowitschia mrakovcici, Telestes turskyi and Phoxinellus dalmaticus), of 1 native and endangered species with 100% of EU and Croatian population in project area (Phoxinellus alepidotus) and of 1 native and endangered species in approximately 45-62% of population in Project area (Aulopyge huegelii)
2. Controlled population of alien and invasive alien species in Krka National Park, Čikola and Vrba Rivers and Miloševo and Stipančevo Lakes. This includes controlling population of invasive alien species that are on the Union list: pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), black bullhead (Ameirus melas), stone maroko (Pseudorasbora parva) and eastern musquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki).

Within this work package it is also planned to implement solutions blocking pathways of introduction and spread of invasive alien species to Krka River as well as development of a manual “Practical guidelines for recreational fishermen on selective fishing of alien species in protected and Natura 2000 sites”. The aim of the guidance and training is to provide recreational fishermen with practical guidelines for selective fishing of alien species to support the conservation of biodiversity in protected and Natura 2000 sites. The guidelines will contain, for example, materials to understand alien species that include definition of alien and invasive alien species, explanation why are they a threat to biodiversity, description of common alien species in Natura 2000 sites in rivers of the Adriatic basin, legal and ethical consideration as well information on necessary permits, description of techniques for catching alien fish species while minimizing bycatch, recommended methods for the humane disposal of caught alien species, seasonal and environmental consideration (best times of year and day for targeting alien species) and references to the EU code of conduct on recreational fishing and invasive alien species.

The implementation of tasks within this WP contributes directly to reach project Specific objective 2: To improve degree of conservation of freshwater fish species that are endangered and/or with unfavourable current conservation status by increasing knowledge base on species and habitats and implementation of other conservation measures.

The result of tasks foreseen within this WP include:

1. Comprehensive Study of the Krka River Basin (Referesh Fish LIFE study)
2. Restored Riparian Vegetation - total of 0.15 hectares of riparian vegetation will be restored along 727 meters of the Vrba River, with a 2-meter depth from the riverbank. Additionally, 0.60 hectares of riparian vegetation will be restored along 3,000 meters of the Čikola River, also with a 2-meter depth from the riverbank, improving habitat conditions for fish species: Phoxinellus dalmaticus, Telestes turskyi, Aulopyge huegelii.
3. Removed underwater waste from Čikola spring system improving water quality and habitat conditions for species such as Phoxinellus dalmaticus
4. Supported conservation of Phoxinellus alepidotus through attempts of population augmentation (development of augmentation protocol) and reintroduction efforts of species Phoxinellus alepidotus (if required and feasible).

The implementation of tasks within this work package contributes directly to reach project Specific objective 3: To support conservation of Natura 2000 target species and habitats and other endangered species through sustainability, replication and exploitation of project results  which include education during the 5 years of project implementation:

1. Workshops on selective fishing for 50 recreational fishermen within Krka N ational Park and issuing of certificates
2. Online and physical workshops for 520 recreational fishermen (10% of the total registered) in 20 counties in Croatia with the distribution of educational materials from the "Refresh Fish LIFE training package for the fisheries sector" (5,000 illustrative leaflets and 650 illustrative panels)
3. 13 workshops for 260 participants from the agricultural sector on the topic of biological production, reducing the use of pesticides, water management and climate change adaptation strategies, encouraging them to reduce pollution
4. 12 workshops for 240 participants from local communities from the area of ​​the Krka River, Čikola, Vrba and lakes Miloševo and Stipančevo. Topics will include endangered native species, pollution control, eutrophication, illegal fishing and climate change. In the Čikola and Vrba areas, the workshops will also include practical demonstrations of coastal vegetation restoration as a solution to mitigate pollution and the impacts of climate change. The workshops will be coordinated with local public events and festivals to maximize participation and visibility
5. 12 workshops for approximately 240 primary and secondary school students, with topics tailored to each age group. Educational materials "Refresh Fish LIFE" (developed in Working package 6) will be distributed and made available online and in the visitor centres of the Krka National Park, the „Nature“ Public Institution of Žibenik-Knin County and the „Sea and Karst“ Public Institution.

Within this work package led by the Institute for Environmental and Nature Protection, it is planned to disseminate the project results through workshops and training for stakeholders from various sectors such as water management, forestry, agriculture, nature and environmental protection, tourism, preschool institutions and zoos.

The implementation of tasks within this work package contributes to reach project Specific objective 4: To monitor the impact of project activities on the degree of conservation of species that are endangered or in unfavourable-bad conservation status and of the socio-economic impact of the project implementation.

Monitoring activities includes:

1. The physio-chemical monitoring with a wide range of water quality indicators, such as temperature, pH, oxygen levels, nutrients, and dissolved organic carbon. These will be monitored twice annually (spring and autumn) to assess how management measures (alien species removal, changes in water flow, restoration of riparian vegetation) are impacting the ecosystem.
2. Baseline data on the abundance of alien species will be established during the first year, serving as a reference for subsequent years. Alien species will be monitored using electrofishing and standard nets across key locations in the Krka, Čikola, Vrba rivers, and Miloševo and Stipančevo lakes, ensuring consistent monitoring twice a year. The results will quantify the reduction in alien species populations and help adjust management actions if necessary.
3. Hydro-morphological monitoring will focus on 18 specific issues, such as river connectivity, erosion-sedimentation processes, and substrate naturalness, with the aim to document habitat restoration after re-establishing river connectivity and optimizing river flows.
4. Monitoring of distribution, status, diversity, and viability of project target species will produce annual reports on the distribution, abundance, and genetic diversity of Project target species. These findings will guide adjustments in conservation strategies and (in case of species Phoxinellus alepidotus) species reintroduction efforts, ensuring long-term population stability
5. Monitoring of the project’s socio-economic effects and effects on the local community will evaluate the project's socio-economic impacts through reports based on surveys and interviews.
6. Monitoring of project awareness and dissemination actions will provide an evaluation of public awareness raised by the project. Surveys will be conducted at the beginning and end of the project, targeting 400 citizens nationwide and 100 citizens in Šibenik-Knin and Split-Dalmatia counties. These surveys will help measure the impact of awareness campaigns and dissemination efforts on target species and conservation efforts
7. Monitoring of effects on other natura 2000 target species will focus on the distribution and abundance of other native fish species, such as species: Barbus plebejus and Pomatoschistus canestrinii, to ensure no negative effects from project activities. Positive effects on native fish populations will also be tracked.
8. Monitoring of chemical control effects on alien species in Miloševo and Stipančevo Lakes (if chemical control is implemented, the project will rigorously monitor its impact on alien species in the lakes).

The work package includes activities that contribute to the achievement of Specific Objective 5: Raise awareness of the target species and habitats of Natura 2000 ecological network, communicate the project objectives and results, ensure visibility and networking of LIFE projects. The Institute for Environmental and Nature Protection coordinates this work package, while other beneficiaries also participate. The specific objective will be achieved through the following communication objectives:

1. raise public awareness of the LIFE programme and EU support for the project
2. raise public awareness of the Natura 2000 ecological network and the importance of endangered native species
3. raise public awareness of alien and invasive alien species as one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss
4. further disseminate information about the project among experts/specialists and the general public.