Magdalena Zrakić

Common Fisheries Policy and its impact on the fisheries sector in Croatia

Abstract The aim of the paper is: 1) to determine the key changes in the evolution process of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the Croatia’s fisheries policy and 2) to describe the structure and dynamics of macroeconomic and budget performance related to Croatian fisheries in the period 2007-2016. Two methods were used: the historical method and the descriptive analysis of macroeconomic performance and budget structure. The CFP was officially introduced in 1983, bringing the management of fisheries in all EU member states under one system. Its aims were: to resolve sea conflicts between member states, to provide stability to the fisheries sector, to prevent a total collapse of fish stocks and to provide higher quality of life to the fishermen. However, the CFP has constantly been criticized for poor enforcement of environmental measures and scientific recommendations, and for the lack of a common language between the EU institutions and local stakeholders. Both the European and Croatian fisheries sector faced many problems, especially during the transition period in the 1990s. Some of them included a serious decrease of catches, outdated technology and fisheries fleet, depletion of demersal species, lack of developmental trends in mariculture, absence of measures of rational exploitation and protection of economically significant species. The negotiation period was an opportunity for the fisheries sector in Croatia to adapt its goals, measures and stakeholders in order to achieve a more sustainable and internationally competitive fisheries sector in the future. The membership facilitates trade in the EU area, along with providing significant funding and technical assistance. The budget support structure and the existing policy framework point out an increase in the implementation of structural measures which should assist in an overall improvement of social, economic and environmental aspects of fisheries.

Organic agricultural production on family farms in Croatia

ABSTRACT The Croatian organic products market is not developed as it is in economically more developed European Union (EU) countries. There are 2,319 registered organic producers on a total area of 50,054 ha. It was assumed that producers’ motives of organic products are predominantly noneconomic and that they sell most of products through direct sales channels and have positive attitudes toward producers’ associations. A survey was conducted with organic producers in Northwest Croatia. They (72.7%) switched from conventional to organic farming due to noneconomic motives. Due to an unorganized distribution network, products placement in markets mainly takes place locally (71.4%). Most producers are cooperating but in an informal way.