Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Montenegro (IMB) has published a study “Rare and Endangered Fish Species in The Adriatic Sea and Proposal for Marine Flagship Species” which has proposed John Dory (Zeus faber) as a “flagship species” for the recently established Aquarium Boka.

The study presents an updated list of Adriatic fish species. Of more than 400 recorded species, 120 have high commercial and economic importance and are target species in fisheries. As the study presented, Adriatic fishes are facing numerous pressures, with 15 marked as critically endangered.

On the importance of flagship species in marine biodiversity conservation, the lead author of the study, Dr. Ana Pešić, research associate at the IMB, said “in the last decades, the concept of “umbrella species” or “flagship species” aims to promote public awareness and to raise funds for conservation with the end purpose of protecting biodiversity.”

This study and publication were carried out under the project “Marine Biodiversity Conservation Center “Boka Aquarium” (MonteAqua)”, implemented by the Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Montenegro in cooperation with the Center for Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation of Inland Waters, Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac.

The study is available for free download at the following LINK.