{"id":3276,"date":"2020-12-18T17:53:11","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T17:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bildwpaquabokalocal.local\/?p=3276\/"},"modified":"2020-12-30T15:46:52","modified_gmt":"2020-12-30T15:46:52","slug":"aquarium-boka-presented-to-the-public","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aquariumboka.ucg.ac.me\/en\/aquarium-boka-presented-to-the-public\/","title":{"rendered":"Aquarium Boka presented to the public"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kotor, Montenegro: The Institute of Biology held the closing event of the project “Center for the Protection of Marine Biodiversity “Aquarium Boka\u201d – MonteAqua” as a virtual meeting on December 17, 2020, which marked the successful completion of the MonteAqua project.<\/p>\n

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MonteAqua project mobilized 1,17M EUR for setting up the Adriatic Biodiversity Conservation Center “Aquarium Boka” with the first Montenegrin public aquarium and a rescue center for sea turtles and other endangered marine animals. Funds were secured through grants from the Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade of 0,75M EUR and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro of 0,37M EUR. The Aquarium Boka is the only institution in Montenegro that combines research and education to promote and practice the effective conservation of marine wildlife.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Aleksandar Joksimovi\u0107, Director of the Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr. Aleksandar Joksimovi\u0107, Director of the Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, welcomed all participants and pointed out that \u201cThis is a milestone event for the Institute of Marine Biology. Since its establishment in 1961, the Institute was performing comprehensive research of the marine and coastal area. Setting up our sixth organizational unit, the Adriatic Biodiversity Conservation Center “Boka Aquarium”, as a result of the MonteAqua project, will further strengthen our capacities. The Center, with the first public marine aquarium in Montenegro, will also boost our activities in creation of a wide coalition for the Adriatic protection. This Center is the best early birthday present for our 40th Anniversary which we will celebrate next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Professor Danilo Nikoli\u0107, the University of Montenegro Rector<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the Aquarium Boka significance, Professor Danilo Nikoli\u0107, the University of Montenegro Rector, said: \u201cThe newest organizational unit of the Institute, which we established this year, will further strengthen our capacities to preserve Adriatic ecosystems and promote our unique nature resources.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Aquarium Boka is established within the framework of the MonteAqua project.<\/p>\n

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Mr. Geir Johansen, Charg\u00e9 d’affaires of The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Commenting on the project closure, Mr. Geir Johansen, Charg\u00e9 d’affaires of The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade, said: \u201cWith Norwegian support, the project has established the only public aquarium in Montenegro, and developed capacity for the conservation of biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems in artificial conditions, which is important to secure the reproduction of endangered species\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Ms. Slavica Pavlovi\u0107, director of Directorate for Fisheries<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On behalf of Dr. Aleksandar Stijovi\u0107, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management in the Government of Montenegro, Ms. Slavica Pavlovi\u0107, director of Directorate for Fisheries welcomed the first aquarium in Montenegro and pointed that it \u201cwill be the main place for education about the living world of the Adriatic Sea, especially about vulnerable species that need special protection\u201d. Ms. Pavlovi\u0107 confirmed that \u201cMontenegro will remain committed to the intensive work on establishing a sustainable fishery and preserving a healthy marine ecosystem\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Mr. Predrag Jelu\u0161i\u0107, director of Public Enterprise for Coastal Management of Montenegro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr. Predrag Jelu\u0161i\u0107, director of Public Enterprise for Coastal Management of Montenegro spoke about the support of his institution to the project with funds for the construction of an Open-air exhibition connected to the Aquarium Boka.<\/p>\n

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Professor Vladica Simi\u0107, Head of the Center for Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation of Inland Waters Aquarium Kragujevac, Institute of Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Professor Vladica Simi\u0107, Head of the Center for Fisheries and Biodiversity Conservation of Inland Waters Aquarium Kragujevac, Institute of Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac, pointed that: \u201cIt was our pleasure to discover a new cooperation opportunity in 2017 and jointly develop project “Center for the Protection of Biodiversity of the Adriatic “Boka Aquarium” \u2013 MonteAqua\u201d which received funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway through the grant of the Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dr. Radoje Lau\u0161evi\u0107, MonteAqua project manager<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr. Radoje Lau\u0161evi\u0107, MonteAqua project manager, presented the main project results. He pointed out that \u201cThe Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Montenegro was implementing the MonteAqua project from November 2017. Project supported organization of several workshops in 2018, the international scientific conference in 2019, and published a series of white papers and studies which strengthen Montenegrin capacities in management and protection of the Adriatic Sea resources. The main project output is Aquarium Boka, the first Montenegrin public aquarium which showcases the diversity and importance of marine wildlife with a particular focus on the Adriatic Sea. It is expected that Aquarium Boka will open doors for public visits in the first half of 2021.\u201d<\/p>\n