Cape Stupišće, located in the Komiža Bay on the island of Vis, is soon to become a special marine reserve (IUCN category IV Habitat/species management area) and the first strictly protected marine area in the Split-Dalmatia County!
This major victory for nature was supported by Sunce, which conducted a stakeholder consultation process in 2022, on behalf of the Public Institution RERA SD for Coordination and Development of Split Dalmatia County. Sunce also prepared an Expert study that served as the basis for declaration of this protected area. The consultation process is a crucial step in decision-making regarding area protection. It is a structured dialogue involving all relevant stakeholders—including the local community, fishers, scientists, NGOs, and relevant institutions—with the aim of gathering opinions, aligning interests, and ensuring support for planned conservation measures. This process ensures that decisions are based not only on expert analyses but also on the experiences and needs of the local community, increasing the success and long-term sustainability of protection efforts.
Read on to find out why Cape Stupišće was proposed for protection and when the regulation declaring its protection is expected to be adopted.
Marine biodiversity and historical heritage
The underwater world of Cape Stupišće is home to a diverse array of marine organisms, including rare corals such as the yellow gorgonian and the violescent sea-whip, various fish species like dusky grouper, red scorpionfish, and common dentex, as well as crustaceans such as lobsters and crayfish. The waters around Vis have also been included in the Natura 2000 network due to the presence of common bottlenose dolphins, which permanently inhabit this area. This makes it one of six key sites in Croatia for the conservation of these marine mammals.
Beyond its biological significance, this location also holds historical value. At a depth of 20 to 55 meters lies the wreck of the steamship Vassilios T., a steel steamer that sank in 1939 while transporting coal from Great Britain to Venice. Today, this historical site attracts divers and enthusiasts of the underwater world and cultural heritage.
Marine habitat protection and sustainable fishing
Cape Stupišće is one of the few areas in the Croatian Adriatic that combines representative and endangered seabed habitats. Protecting these habitats is essential for the survival of the marine ecosystem, as they provide a safe environment for various species to spawn, grow, and feed.
Particularly important are the seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica, an endemic marine seagrass that offers shelter to numerous marine organisms and plays a crucial role in absorbing CO₂, helping to mitigate climate change. The sandy seabed is home to both juvenile and adult specimens of commercially important fish species, while the reefs—due to their structure—are among the most biologically diverse habitats in the Adriatic.
Declaring the area as a special marine reserve will ensure the long-term protection of these habitats, allowing fish populations and other marine organisms to recover. The positive effects of this protection are expected to extend beyond the boundaries of the reserve, as the distribution of eggs and juvenile marine species will help improve fish stocks in surrounding areas.
In addition to the marine area (which makes up 93.7% of the reserve’s surface), the coastal land will also be protected, allowing for more effective management of coastal habitats and reducing negative land-based impacts.
Preserving endangered species and habitats
Cape Stupišće is one of the rare locations where strictly protected species such as red coral (Corallium rubrum) and the knobbed triton (Charonia lampas) can still be found. These species face significant pressures due to overharvesting and habitat degradation, making their protection crucial for preserving the Adriatic’s biodiversity.
The reserve also holds additional ecological value due to coastal cliffs exposed to sea spray, which support endemic halophyte species of the Limonium genus, as well as unique geological formations that further contribute to habitat diversity.
Next steps – invitation to participate in public consultation
Under a regulation by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Cape Stupišće will be declared a special marine reserve. The adoption of this regulation is expected in the first half of 2025, following the completion of a public consultation process. Currently, the Proposed regulation and related expert and geodetic studies are available for public review. A public discussion will be held on February 19, 2025, in Komiža (Ivan Vitić Cultural Center) at 11:00 AM. All interested citizens, fishers, scientists, and representatives of organizations are invited to participate and contribute to the protection of this unique marine area.
The reserve will be managed by the Public Institution Sea and karst. The ministry responsible for nature protection will draft the Ordinance on protection and preservation, setting out measures for the sustainable use of the protected area. It is expected that the protection of this site will support the recovery of marine populations, promote sustainable fishing practices, and boost diving tourism, bringing benefits not only to the marine ecosystem but also to the local community.
Author of all photos in the text: Božidar Plazonić