Traditional Croatian fishing was declared an intangible cultural heritage by a decision of the commission to determine the status of cultural property of the Ministry of Culture, which convened on Tuesday in Zagreb.
Traditional fishing skills, beliefs, and practices in the Adriatic have become intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia in accordance with the Law on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage, reports Dalmacija News. A proposal was submitted to the Ministry by the Island Council, Conservation Department in Zadar and University of Zadar.
President of the Island Council, Denis Barić, said that he believes “this decision will contribute towards the islanders and coastal residents who can freely engage in small-scale fishing as they always did, without administrative obstacles that are placed before them by the Croatian entry into the European Union.”
Member of the EU Parliament, Tonino Picula, who first raised the issue of small-scale fishing in the European Parliament, welcomed the statement to this important initiative of the Island Council, the Conservation Department in Zadar and the University of Zadar.
“Traditional fishing, which includes the old knowledge and skills related to traditional fishing tools, customs, beliefs, vocabulary, food, and more is an intangible cultural heritage and it is good that we are raising awareness of its importance. I hope and believe that this is the beginning of returning the status that small fishing in Croatia deserves,” concluded Picula.
