The regional nautical leader continuously supports numerous projects, with a special emphasis on environmental protection, green initiatives and the protection of marine resources. One such project is the preservation of the marine ecosystem through the “catch-and-release” method.
ACI marina Opatija hosted the Intercounty Fishing Championship for senior women, where competitors from different counties tested their strength in a two-day competition, on September 21 and 22, using the ecologically responsible fishing method “Catch-Release”. The competition was organized by the Sports Fishing Association. Zubatac” from Lovran brought together the best senior women for the purpose of promoting sustainable fishing and preserving marine resources, emphasizing the importance of environmental protection. After the competition, a medal ceremony was held in the restaurant “Kvarner” in Lovran, which was attended by Ivica Škec, director of ACI marina. Opatija and Slobodan Naglić, member of the executive board of the Sports Fishing Society “Zubatac”.
ACI supports sustainable initiatives with its engagement and support
This type of competition further confirms ACI’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices, while promoting responsible fishing and the green transition. “Catch-release” is a method introduced by the Croatian Sea Fishing Association in 2023 at all levels of competition, and is based on measuring the weight or length of the fish caught, after which the fish is returned to the sea. In this way, the goal is to reduce the number of injured or dead fish and ultimately to contribute to the protection of the fish stock, which enables the continuation of sustainable fishing and the preservation of marine biological diversity.
“We are especially proud to support such competitions, which, in addition to promoting sport fishing, specifically contribute to the preservation of marine ecosystems. Our long-standing cooperation with sports clubs and initiatives, together with the continuous implementation of sustainable solutions in all our marinas, best reflects our strategic commitment to environmental protection. In this way, we not only preserve natural resources, but also strengthen a responsible approach among community members, which is a key part of our long-term sustainability goals”, said Ivica Škec, director of ACI marina Opatija and secretary of SRD “Zubatac” Lovran.
“I always came from the world championships very happy because every fish I caught continued to swim afterwards. Since it has been with us, we are all much more satisfied. It is crucial that the judge is called as soon as possible, that the judge puts the live fish on the scale and releases it into the sea. And that’s it, then it’s a sport in the end. Sports fishing deserves to be a sport, and in this way, every competitor whose goal is to play sports and compete will certainly enjoy the passions of this sport more knowing that the fish is returned to the sea” said Marina Mavrinac Matulja, two-time world champion, member of SRD “Zubatac” .
ACI marina Opatija hosted the Inter-county fishing championship for senior women and provided an extraordinary experience for competitors and visitors
The contestants participated in fishing for five hours on both days of the competition, adhering to strictly prescribed rules that include careful handling of the catch, the use of hooks of minimum size to reduce the number of small specimens, and the mandatory return of immature and protected species back to the sea. The competition in the ACI marina Opatija could be followed by all those interested via the online application, where all the current results, caught specimens of fish and their weight are visible. At the end of the two-day competition, the results were tallied, and the best competitors were awarded with well-deserved medals.
Let’s emphasize that in the individual competition, the best was Željka Marković from PŠRK “Stobreč” from Stobreč, the second was Gordana Sikirić from the team ŠRD “Zubatac” Zadar and the third was Višnjica Bakija from SRD “Plomin” from Plomin. In the team competition, the team ŠRD “Zubatac” Zadar, composed of Gordana Sikirić and Nikolina Kotlar, won, followed by Željka Marković and Ana Vučetić from PSRK “Stobreč”, while Sava Dešković and Renata Hlanuda from ŠRK “Ičići” were third. The event was solemnly concluded with a lunch organized by the host, who once again showed exceptional hospitality and commitment to creating a top-notch experience for all participants.
ACI once again pointed out that, in addition to providing superior nautical services, it positions itself as a leader in environmental protection. By supporting events that emphasize sustainability and care for natural resources, the company confirms its long-term commitment to the protection of the marine ecosystem and the advancement of sustainable development, while ensuring an extraordinary experience for all its guests.
