Ecological Sustainability of Fish Resources of Inland Waters of the Western Balkans : Freshwater Fish Stocks, Sustainable Use and Conservation

This book provides a detailed evaluation of the hydro-ecological characteristics of the Western Balkans, an area characterized by still preserved inland waters and fish resources important for the European continent, as well as the biodiversity of inland waters important for the planet Earth. Freshwater ecosystems cover only 1% of the Earth's surface; however, they are a habitat for about 40% of fish species. At the same time, inland fisheries make less than 12% of the world's global fish catch, with 43% coming from low-income and food-deficient countries (Africa, South America, Southeast Asia).

In Europe, the Western Balkans have significant fishing waters and fish resources, including the Middle Danube drainage (Sava, Drina, Velika Morava river systems), large ancient lakes (Skadar/Shkodra, Ohrid, Prespa, Dojran), and the Adriatic basin characterized by endemic and commercially important species. However, in contrast to the high fishing potential in a significant part of the Western Balkans, diverse and specific political, economic, and social factors largely had a negative impact on the state of fish resources.

This volume is multidisciplinary and provides a sound knowledge base for scientific and practical fisheries. In addition, it may be a valuable guide for managers and conservationists worldwide to adapt methods and procedures for the ecological sustainability of fish resources under specific local, natural, and socio-economic conditions. Finally, the content is a good reference for natural sciences and agriculture students studying fish, fish resources, and fisheries sciences. It would improve their knowledge and perspectives on the challenges of sustainable use and conservation of inland water resources.

Prof. Dr. Vladica Simic, is a full professor at the Department of Biology and Ecology of the Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac. He has dedicated his scientific career to studying the biodiversity of freshwater macroinvertebrates and fish. In addition to taxonomy, he mainly researched the bioindicator properties of animal taxa to assess the ecological status of inland waters. He developed a method for assessing water quality and ecological status of inland waters: the Balkan Biotic Index (BNBI) and a model for assessing the sustainability and priority of conserving inland water biodiversity ES-HIPPO, as well as its modifications ES-HIPPOfish (commercial fish species) and ES- HIPPOcrayfish (for crayfish).

He published a total of 275 works, 70 of which are from the SCI list, and founded the Laboratory for Hydroecology and Water Protection, which includes the Freshwater Aquarium, which is not only a scientific organization, but also has educational significance (the first Public Aquarium in Serbia). In 2014, the Laboratory and the Aquarium became a special organizational unit of the Faculty: Center for Fisheries and Conservation of Inland Water Biodiversity, managed by Dr. V. Simic. Dr. Vladica Simic is the author of the database Biodiversity of Inland Waters of Serbia, conservation in ex-situ conditions "BAES ex-situ". The database is the result of a project entitled: "Ex-situ conservation of inland water biodiversity in Serbia" led by Dr. Vladica Simic (grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of Serbia, 2002-2007). The database has been regularly updated since 2007. He has participated in many national (grant projects 43002, 173025, 143023, 20107) and international EU projects (FP7 GLOBAQUA - 603629-ENV-2013-6.2, FP6 ALARM-50602, AQUAGAMETE COST Action- Food and Agriculture, COST Action FA 1205). He was the project manager (Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway, SRB-15/0009) which enables the establishment of the first laboratory for cryopreservation of fish sperm in Serbia. Dr. Vladica Simic was involved in the Joint Danube Research (JDS2 and JDS3). He has been delegated as a key fish expert for the EU NATURA 2000 project for Bulgaria.

He is the author of more than 60 Fisheries Management Programs in Serbia. Dr. Vladica Simic was an active member of the working group of the Ministry of Environmental Protection for the adoption of the Law on Protection and Sustainable Use of Fish Stock ("Official Gazette of RS" No. 184/16 and 95/18). He is the author of 2 books, the editor of a monograph on the Danube and the author of several chapters in monographs published by Springer. he is a participant in scientific expeditions to explore the Danube, Sava and Adige rivers in Italy. and lake Ohrid, Prespa, Dojran and Balaton.

Prof. Dr. Snežana Simic, is a full professor at the Department of Biology and Ecology of the Faculty of Science, University of Kragujevac.  She is engaged in scientific research in the field of hydrobiology with a special aspect related to algae and other hydrobionts and their importance in the monitoring of aquatic ecosystems, as well as the possibilities of their conservation. Most of the scientific research are in the field of conservation of biodiversity of rare and endangered taxa of benthic macroalgae, especially freshwater Rhodophyta and Phaeophyceae. Part of her research is focused on the phytoplankton Cyanobacteria, with particular aspect on invasive and potentially toxic cyanobacteria. She has published the results of her scientific work in 200 bibliographic units (36 scientific papers in international journals - SCI list). Dr. Snežana Simic is the author of two university books. She is editor is of a monograph on the Danube (The Danube of Serbia), the author of several chapters in national monographs and also author of monograph published by Springer (The Sava River).

She is coauthor of database “Biodiversity of the aquatic systems of Serbia and ex situ protection” (BAES-ex situ), also coauthor of the method for ecological monitoring of running waters entitled: "Balkan Biotic Index" (BnBI) and the coauthor of the ESHIPPO model - the possibility of estimating the conservation priority of endangered aquatic organisms and the priority of conservation of habitats and ecosystems.

She has participated in three international and one TEMPUS project, a more of national projects, manager, and participant in the development of over 130 expert studies in the field of hydrobiology and water protection, as well as Fisheries Management Program. She has supervised 3 Ph.D. theses, 12 bachelor theses and 19 master theses.  She is the member of the editorial board of the international journals, the scientific boards of the international conferences, also the reviewer of more textbooks, chapters in monographs, scientific papers, projects and study programs.

She was the Head of the Department of Biology and Ecology of Faculty of Scineces University of Kragujevac at 2013 to 2016. Dr. Snežana Simic is the Member of the Board for Professional Ethics at the University of Kragujevac, and the Member of the main board for science at the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Serbia.

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Pešic, is a Full Professor at Department of Biology of University of Montenegro in Podgorica, Montenegro. His research interest covers: taxonomy, ecology and biogeography of freshwater taxa; ecological research of spring ecosystems and intermittent streams; environmental monitoring. He discovered more than 400 species new for science from all parts of the world.

Publications: author of over 400 peer-reviewed papers, author and/or editor of several books including “Süßwasserfauna von Mitteleuropa. Bd. 7/2-3 Chelicerata”, “The Skadar/Skodra Environment”, “The Rivers of Montenegro”, “The Small Water Bodies of the Western Balkans” published by Springer.

He is founder and Editor-in-Chief of “Ecologica Montenegrina”, and a member of the editorial board of several international journals. In the last three years, he has been included in list of 2% of the world's best scientists by the Stanford University in the field of Biology.