Presented management and monitoring plans for invasive alien species in Montenegro

The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Northern Development, with the support of the project "Center for Strategic-Legal Advice for Montenegro" (PLAC), funded by the European Union, presented management plans and monitoring protocols for invasive alien species in Montenegro. The event, held at the European House in Podgorica, gathered representatives of institutions, experts, and partners involved in nature protection, with the aim of presenting concrete measures to prevent the spread of invasive alien species that pose a serious threat to biodiversity, natural habitats, the economy, and human health. The PLAC project, financed with 2.2 million euros, supports Montenegro in aligning legislation with EU legal standards and strengthening capacities for accession processes. Investing in prevention and early detection of invasive species protects natural resources and prevents high costs that uncontrolled spread can cause to the economy and society. PLAC project manager Tatjana Tomić reminded that the project provides support to Montenegrin institutions in the European integration process through the development of legislation, strategic documents, and strengthening administrative capacities. The presentation also included monitoring programs and protocols for these species, including the Monitoring Program for Pseudorasbora parva, Gambusia holbrooki, and Lepomis gibbosus, the Monitoring Protocol for the invasive species Asclepias syriaca, the Monitoring Protocol for the invasive species Ailanthus altissima, the Monitoring Protocol for Trachemys scripta, and the Mongoose Monitoring Program (Urva auropunctata) in Montenegro. Experiences from Croatia in implementing management plans for invasive alien species were presented by PLAC expert Petra Kutleša, who emphasized the importance of inter-institutional cooperation, continuous monitoring, and citizen involvement in early detection and control of invasive species.