Ecological Sustainability of Fish Resources of Inland Waters of the Western Balkans : Freshwater Fish Stocks, Sustainable Use and Conservation / [E-Book]

Part I. Fish Resources and Fishing Areas of the Western Balkans -- Chapter 1. Fish Resources of Inland Waters and Fisheries in Slovenia, Management, Sustainability and Conservation -- Chapter 2. Inland Fisheries in Croatia: Historical Aspects, Fish Resources, Management and Conservation -- Chapter 3. Fish Resources and Fisheries in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Overview, Sustainability, and Conservation -- Chapter 4. Inland Fisheries in Serbia: Historical Aspect, Fish Resources, Management and Conservation -- Chapter 5. The Freshwater Fish Resources and Freshwater Fisheries of Montenegro, Management, Sustainability and Conservation - With a Special Perspective on Lake Skadar -- Chapter 6. Fish and Fisheries of the Republic of North Macedonia, Current Situation and Its Perspective -- Chapter 7. Fish Resources of Inland Waters and Fisheries in Albania, Management, Sustainability and Conservation -- Part II. Some Fish Species of the Western Balkans Important for Fisheries and Conservation -- Chapter 8. Freshwater Crayfish of Western Balkan: Is It Possible to Use Them Sustainably or Do They Need Prompt Conservation Actions? -- Chapter 9. Salmonid Fish Species - Opportunities for Sustainable Use under Multiple Pressures and Current Climatic Change -- Chapter 10. Past and Future of Sturgeon Species (Acipenseridae) in Western Balkans - Case for Permanent Conservation or Sustainable Management -- Part III. Effects of Stressors on Inland Water Ecosystems and Fish Resources -- Chapter 11. Eutrophication of Fishing Waters and the Influence of Cyanobacterial Occurrence and Blooming on Fish Resources - Case Studies in Serbia -- Chapter 12. Pollution of Fishing Waters of the Western Balkan - Potentially Toxic Elements and Their Impact on the Ecological Sustainability of Fish Resources -- Chapter 13. Invasive Macroinvertebrate and Fish Species and Their Impact on Fish Resources: A Case Study on Fishing Waters of Serbia -- Part IV. Fish Stock Assessment Methods -- Chapter14. A Brief Overview of the Development of the ES-HIPPO Model for Assessing the Sustainability and Conservation Priorities of Fish, Fish Resources, and Inland Water Habitats -- Part V. Conservation and Aquaculture -- Chapter 15. Тhe Role and Importance of Aquaculture for the Ecological Sustainability of Fish Resources in the Inland Water of Serbia -- Chapter 16. Huchen Hucho hucho (Linnaeus, 1758) in Croatia: Distribution, Genetic Diversity, Threats and Conservation -- Chapter 17. Future Perspective of Sustainable Development of Freshwater Fisheries and Conservation of Threatened Fish Species, Crustaceans and Molluscs -- Part VI. Social Aspect -- Chapter 18. Political and Socio-Economic aspects of Fisheries in Inland and Coastal Waters of the Western Balkan -- Chapter 19. Fish Resources of the Western Balkans, Sustainable Use and/or 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 theWestern 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.