The Conference

The second International Conference: Adriatic Biodiversity Protection – AdriBioPro2022 will focus on how state-of-the-art research on Adriatic biodiversity protection, conservation of coastal and marine areas and sustainable use of marine resources can contribute to policy- and decision-making. The focus will be put on valorisation of Adriatic biodiversity, both marine and freshwater, as tourism offer. Organized to include plenary and breakout sessions covering both disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives, Conference results will be used in shaping future marine science priorities and policy in Montenegro and other Adriatic countries. The Conference follows the format of the first international conference held in 2019, Adriatic Biodiversity Protection – AdriBioPro2019, which provided updated scientific, decision-making and policy-relevant information across a broad array of different Adriatic issues, marine biology, and related scientific disciplines.

Background

The Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Montenegro is implementing the project Explore Cross-border Aquatic Biodiversity – EXChAngE. The project is developing a new tourism product – Blue Pass, which will enable visits to new thematic routes with improved infrastructure: Dubrovnik and Aquarium (Croatia), Kotor and Aquarium Boka (Montenegro), Hutovo Blato Aqua Path, and Mostar Old Bridge and River Neretva (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and attracts more tourists in the area. The second international conference “Adriatic Biodiversity Protection – AdriBioPro2022” is the final project event.

Recent research results indicate the cumulative impacts of human activities in the Mediterranean, ranking it as a hotspot of marine biodiversity, and one of the most heavily impacted marine region worldwide. One of the most intensely used and severely degraded regions of the Mediterranean is the Adriatic Sea. It implies a necessity of developing appropriate and effective policy-responses including adaptation actions, enhancement of resilience and implementation of mitigation activities. The Conference will address alterations of Mediterranean ecosystems, with a focus on the Adriatic Sea and its biodiversity and analyse widespread conflict among marine users. By presenting the latest science, the Conference will facilitate, synthesize, and summarize the science-policy dialogue.

Topics Addressed

1. Marine biodiversity and conservation
2. Freshwater biodiversity and conservation
3. Cross-border aquatic biodiversity (EXChAngE event)
4. Aquatic alien and invasive species
5. Marine and freshwater pollution
6. Sustainable use of marine resources

Date and venue

June 13-17, 2022, Cultural Center “Nikola Djurković” and Institute of Marine Biology of University of Montenegro, Kotor, Montenegro. The side events will be organized on June 16-17, 2022.

Official language: English.

Registration fee: 90 EUR for all participants. The fee includes the following: The Book of Abstracts, advertising material, conference cocktail, refreshments during breaks, Kotor Blue Pass City Tour, Blue Pass tour: Aquarium Boka, and conference garden party. For students and accompanying persons fee is 60 EUR. For payments on the site, fee is 120 EUR for all participants, and 90 EUR for students and accompanying persons.

Pre-conference events

Monday, 13 June 2022, 09:00-18:30

• Project RER7015. On invitation only.
• Project RISKMAN. On invitation only.

Tuesday, 14 June 2022

• ITACA: Innovative Tools to increAse Competitiveness and sustainability of small pelagic fisheries – project presentation. On invitation only.

Workshop: Touristic presentation in English (EXChAngE Side Event)

Tuesday, 14 June 2022, 10:45-11:30. On invitation only

Main goal of the EXChAngE project workshop is to train tourist guides for making effective presentation about Adriatic biodiversity in English.

Panel discussion (P2): International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022)

Tuesday, 14 June 2022, 12:00-13:30

The conference will dedicate a panel to the celebration of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022.

Side events

Thursday, 16 June 2022, 10:00-17:00

• Project RISKMAN. On invitation only
• Project ARIEL+. On invitation only

Friday, 17 June 2022

• Project RISKMAN. On invitation only

Conference exhibition “Water as inspiration”, opening with a cocktail, Monday, 13 June 2022, 18:30 PM. Venue: Gallery, ground floor, Cultural Center “Nikola Djurković”, Kotor, Montenegro.

Kotor Blue Pass City Tour. Tuesday, 14 June 2022. The walking tour starts at 17:30 PM in front of the Sea Gate of the Old City of Kotor – Info kiosk of the Touristic Organization Kotor. The tour will last around 60 minutes.

Blue Pass tour: Aquarium Boka. Wednesday, 15 June 2022. Venue: Aquarium Boka, Institute of Marine Biology of University od Montenegro. The tour starts at 19:00 PM at the main Aquarium entrance.

Montenegro sounds and tastes – Conference Garden party. Wednesday, 15 June 2022. Venue: Aquarium Boka Open Air Exhibition. Institute of Marine Biology of University od Montenegro. The Garden party starts at 19:30 PM.

For touristic information, please read Conference Final Announcement or download the Blue Pass EXChAngE mobile application.

Current Montenegro government measures related to suppressing the pandemics of Covid-19 are available at the Government of Montenegro page in English and in Montenegrin.

Current measures are allowing in-person gathering with the observance of prescribed measures, which are regularly updated.

As of March 11, 2022, no proof of vaccination, COVID-19 passports/certificates, or COVID-19 tests are required to enter Montenegro. This measure is subject to change. Please check our page often for updates if new requirements are announced.