The indented coastline and clean environment make the coastal area of Zadar County an exceptionally suitable location for fish and shellfish farming.
The coastline features numerous sheltered bays, coves and channels with favorable characteristics for aquaculture. The climate and oceanographic conditions provide an ideal environment for the rapid and successful reproduction and growth of fish and shellfish.
Based on the Study on the Use and Protection of the Sea and Seabed in Zadar County, the Spatial Plan of Zadar County designates areas suitable for aquaculture, covering each type of aquaculture currently practiced in the County. Accordingly, the County’s marine area is divided into four zones, as prescribed by the Regulation on the Criteria for Assessing the Suitability of Parts of the Maritime Domain for Fish and Other Marine Organism Farming (“Official Gazette”, Nos. 8/99 and 59/12).
Areas designated for marine aquaculture. Any other activities developed in these areas must not adversely affect the conditions required for fish and shellfish farming (Košara – Žižanj).
Offshore aquaculture is planned outside the designated zones, southwest of the outer offshore islands, at a distance of approximately 2–3 km from the coast. Fish farming of pelagic species is not permitted within the Coastal Protection Area (ZOP).
Marine fish and shellfish hatcheries may be located anywhere on land or at sea, including outside designated settlement development areas. Land-based aquaculture facilities (hatcheries and farms for fish and other marine and freshwater organisms) may be established in designated economic zones and in zones designated for marine and freshwater aquaculture.
A location permit for an individual fish farm within the designated maritime domain zones may be obtained on the basis of a site development plan confirming that the selected location complies with the specific regulations governing the suitability of parts of the maritime domain for fish and other marine organism farming, as well as with the applicable environmental and nature protection regulations.
A location permit for an individual shellfish farm within the designated zones may be obtained on the basis of a site development plan confirming that the selected location complies with the specific regulations governing food safety, water quality standards, the classification of shellfish farming areas into categories subject to official controls on food of animal origin, and the applicable environmental and nature protection regulations.
The use of the maritime domain is granted through a concession, once the boundaries of the maritime domain have been established and recorded in the land registry.
Further information on the procedure for obtaining a concession for the use of the maritime domain is available on the https://www.zadarska-zupanija.hr/ .
Adress: Put Murvice 14, Zadar
Phone: +385 23 492 880
Fax: +385 23 492 881
E-mail: zadra@zadra.hr
