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Mali Ston Bay – a perfect example how to destroy the protected area?

Mali Ston Bay is a coastal region in the southern Croatia (eastern Adriatic) where the European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) and mussels have been cultivated for centuries. In 1983, due to its ecological and economical importance, the area was proclaimed a special reserve, both in marine and terrestrial zone. The European flat oyster has high economic potential in the European Union market because it has almost disappeared over a European territory due to outbreaks in farms caused by bonamiosis and marteiliosis. Mali Ston Bay is a rare remaining habitat of European flat oysters in Europe and it has optimal conditions for the reproduction and production of shellfish in relation to the highest standards and health requirements. In 2016, Dubrovnik-Neretva County and Municipality of Ston have accepted of amendments to the Spatial Plan for the construction of tourist resorts in the Bay on the surface area of 13 hectares with the capacity of 550 tourist beds. The Croatian scientific community strongly opposed the proposals and has advised to invest in tourism infrastructure on the southern slopes of the Pelješac Peninsula, where the coast for this type of activity is more attractive and thus encourage the development of two complementary economic activities which in principle cannot successfully coexist together.

natural heritage; European flat oyster; tourism development; Pelješac Peninsula; south Croatia.

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