Aquarium Boka in Kotor officially opened
Kotor, (Mediabiro) - The Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Montenegro officially opened the Center for the Protection of Adriatic Biodiversity "Aquarium Boka", as its new organizational unit with a public aquarium and rescue center for sea turtles.
The director of the Institute, Aleksandar Joksimović, said at the opening ceremony that this is a turning point for the Institute of Marine Biology, whose 60th anniversary is being marked this year.
"The establishment of the Boka Aquarium as our sixth organizational unit will further strengthen our capacities, and the first public marine aquarium in Montenegro will contribute to our activities for the creation of a broad coalition for the protection of the Adriatic," said Joksimović.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway in Belgrade, Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, said that with Norwegian support, through the Monteaqua project, the only public aquarium in Montenegro has been established that has developed capacities to preserve biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems in artificial conditions, which is important for endangered species.
The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Aleksandar Stijović, pointed out that the Aquarium will be the main place for education about the living world of the Adriatic Sea, especially about vulnerable species that need special protection.
"Montenegro will continue to be committed to intensive work on establishing sustainable fisheries and preserving a healthy marine ecosystem," Stijović said.
The rector of the University of Montenegro, Vladimir Božović, said that the opening of the Aquarium was a targeted event of a long and important project, which UCG and its partners have been maintaining for some time.
"I believe that the Institute of Marine Biology, primarily as the bearer of the whole story, has shown that it is a beacon of the scientific and educational mission in every respect," Božović pointed out.
The director of the Public Company Morsko dobro, Mladen Mikijelj, said that the construction of this tourist and educational attraction is a good example of using funds from EU funds, with the hope that even more institutions will start with this practice.
"It is the moral obligation of all of us to protect and assist the Institute, so that one of our most important resources is preserved," said Mikijelj.
The head of the Center for the Protection of Adriatic Biodiversity "Boka Aquarium", Mirko Đurović, pointed out that the Boka Aquarium will be an additional value to the tourist offer of the city of Kotor and Montenegro.
"We will try to show all the splendor and richness of the living world of the Adriatic Sea, and we will prepare a series of educational programs for the youngest generations in order to educate future ecologists and nature lovers in the best possible way," said Đurović.
Contribution of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Montenegro from the World Bank loan for the implementation of the Second Project of Institutional Development and Strengthening of Agriculture (MIDAS 2) of EUR 0.37 million, co-financing of the Public Enterprise Morsko dobro in the amount of EUR 80 thousand and co-financing from ERDF and IPA II European Union funds through the cross-border cooperation program of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro for the project "Explore transboundary aquatic biodiversity - EXCHANGE" of 0.43 million euros.