Without adequate coastal infrastructure, there is no complete protection of the sea!
The crews of tourist yachts and mini-cruisers, members of the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners, have launched a series of actions to clean bays and coasts throughout the Adriatic during this season. By removing the waste they encounter during navigation, they contribute to the preservation of the sea, nature and environment, the values on which Croatian nautical tourism rests.
Cruises along the Adriatic are unimaginable without spending time in secluded coves and amidst pristine nature. That is precisely why, for private vessel operators, protecting the sea and the coast is not merely a matter of environmental responsibility, but also the foundation for preserving the tourism product that has attracted guests from all over the world for years.
The crews of the ships regularly collect the waste they come across in the bays and along the coast during navigation and properly dispose of it upon arrival in the port. In some actions, guests who want to contribute to the preservation of the Adriatic spontaneously join them.
Environmental stewardship, however, does not end with cleanup initiatives. Members of the Croatian Association of Private Shipowners continuously invest in solutions that reduce the environmental impact of their operations—ranging from cutting down on single-use plastics and using more sustainable materials on board to ensuring proper waste sorting and disposal, as well as investing in wastewater treatment systems and other equipment that helps protect the marine environment.
“The sea is our home, our workplace, and the foundation of our business. That is precisely why we have a responsibility to leave every cove exactly as we found it—and, whenever possible, even cleaner. Environmental responsibility is demonstrated not through words, but through everyday actions,” states the Croatian Association of Private Boat Owners.
It is also essential to continue investing in coastal infrastructure.
At the same time, the Association emphasizes that preserving the sea cannot be the sole responsibility of ship operators and calls for responsible behavior from all participants in maritime traffic. It is also essential to continue investing in coastal infrastructure—particularly in systems for receiving wastewater and other waste at ports—so that everyone sailing the Adriatic has equal opportunities to act in accordance with the highest environmental protection standards.
“Our members invest in modern equipment and apply high environmental protection standards on a daily basis; however, the full impact of such investments can only be realized if they are matched by adequate port infrastructure. A sufficient number of berths, proper systems for handling wastewater and other waste, and well-equipped ports are not merely important for vessel operators—they represent a shared interest in preserving the Adriatic and ensuring the sustainable development of Croatian nautical tourism,” states the Croatian Association of Private Vessel Operators.
The Croatian Association of Private Shipowners will continue its cleanup activities throughout the season and invites other maritime stakeholders, local communities, citizens, and visitors to get involved in preserving the Adriatic—each in their own way.
