CONSERVATION STATUS OF NATIVE SPECIES IN NATURAL LAKES OF DRIM SYSTEM (PRESPA, OHRID AND SKADAR LAKE) AND DANGERS OF COMMERCIAL FISHING

D. Milošević, T. Talevski

Abstract: Prespa, Ohrid and Skadar are the largest lakes on the Balkan Peninsula. The native fish population consists, in total, of fifty species. These lakes represent centers of biodiversity of ichthyofauna of the Balkans and many fish species are strictly protected and placed on the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) red list. In fact, one species is listed as Extinct (EX), three are Critically Endangered (CR), three are Endangered (EN), eight are Vulnerable (VU), twenty-four are Least Concern (LC), five are listed as Data Deficient (DD) and six species are Not Evaluated (NE). At the same time Prespa,
Ohrid and Skadarlakes are significant fishing areas where commercial fishing is conducted. In some lakes, large quantities of fish that are caught are strictly protected species according to the IUCN red list.

Keywords: Balkan; Drim system; IUCN red list; threatened species

Date published: 2017-09-28