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The Intercounty Fishing Championship for senior women was held in the ACI marina Opatija, where contestants from different counties tested their strength in a two-day competition on September 21 and 22, using the environmentally responsible fishing method "Catch-Release".
The competition, organized by the Croatian Association for Sport Fishing at Sea, and hosted by the Sport Fishing Society "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.
At the end of the competition, there was a ceremonial awarding of medals 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 Sport Fishing Society "Zubatac". As part of its strategy, ACI continuously supports various projects, with special emphasis on environmental conservation, green initiatives and protection of marine resources.
"Catch-and-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. This type of competition highlights the commitment of anglers to nature conservation, with the support of ACI, which is recognized for its commitment to sustainable practices and the green transition.
"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 conserve natural resources, but also strengthen responsible access among community members, which is a key part of our long-term sustainability goals," he pointed out Ivica Škec, director of ACI marina Opatija and secretary of SRD "Zubatac" Lovran.
"I always came away from the world championships very happy because every fish I caught kept swimming 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 surely enjoy the passions of this sport more knowing that the fish has been returned to the sea." she stated Marina Mavrinac Matulja, double world champion, member of SRD "Zubatac".
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.
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 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.
The competition in the ACI marina Opatija could be followed by all those interested via the online application, where they are visible all current results, fish specimens caught and their weight. At the end of the two-day competition, the results were tallied, and the best competitors were awarded with well-deserved medals.
"ACI has once again shown that, in addition to providing superior nautical services, it positions itself as a leader in environmental protection, promoting responsible behavior through sports and recreation. 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 promoting sustainable development, while ensuring an outstanding experience for all its guests." conclude from ACI.
Photo: ACI
