Description

The Croatian Climate Portal and Montenegrin Raskrinkavanje, in partnership with the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (Split, Croatia) and the Institute of Marine Biology (Kotor, Montenegro), are launching a cross-border investigative project on the ecological and socio-economic impact of invasive tropical species in the Adriatic Sea, focusing on the arrival of the devil firefish (Pterois miles). As climate change accelerates the tropicalization of the Mediterranean, the project will examine how this species threatens marine biodiversity, fisheries, and the livelihoods of coastal communities in Croatia and Montenegro. Combining scientific expertise and investigative journalism, the initiative will document the environmental, economic, and public health consequences of the invasion, assess community resilience and policy preparedness, and raise awareness of the broader implications of a rapidly warming Adriatic. By treating the devil firefish as a climate signal, the project underscores the urgent need for regional cooperation, informed policymaking, and accountability in addressing climate-driven ecological change.

“In less than two years, the devil firefish has gone from being an occasional visitor to becoming a permanent resident of the Adriatic — a tropical invasive species that poses a serious threat to marine biodiversity and, by extension, to coastal communities. The goal of this project is to monitor the lionfish’s expansion toward the eastern Adriatic, apply lessons learned from other Mediterranean countries it has already ‘conquered’, and help local communities adapt to the ecological and socio-economic changes it brings. Our cross-border collaboration between scientists and the media in providing evidence about the scope and urgency of this emerging environmental challenge ensures that both the scientific findings and the lived experiences of affected communities inform public understanding and policy responses.” — Ivana Živković, deputy editor-in-chief of the Climate Portal

Project Team

Media outlet

Faktograf – Association for an Informed Public

Zagreb, Croatia
https://udruga.faktograf.hr/

Ivana Živković

Deputy editor-in-chief
Croatia

Faktograf – Association for an Informed Public

Ivana Živković

Research organisation

Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries

Split, Croatia
https://galijula.izor.hr/en/

Branko Dragičević

PhD, senior research associate
Croatia

Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries

Branko Dragičević