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Associated Regions

Croatia: Marine Lumbarda Ecosystem Restoration Path (M-LERP)  

Geographical Area

Lumbarda is a small coastal municipality on the eastern tip of the island of Korčula in Croatia’s central Adriatic, covering an area of roughly 7 km². It has a permanent population of approximately 1,200 residents but experiences a tenfold rise in visitors during peak summer months—often hosting more than 12,000 tourists in July and August.​ 

What BioProtect Solutions will be replicated

  • BioProtect Biodiversity Toolbox; 
  • BioProtect ABM-DSF 
  • BioProtect Marine Planner;  

Challenges

  • Overtourism and seasonal pressure 
  • Vulnerable marine ecosystems sensitive to human activities 
  • Anchor Damage and Mooring Management 
  • Invasive species 
  • Lacking of a complete marine habitat map or a standardized monitoring system, making it difficult to plan or enforce regulations effectively. 
  • Creating sustainable tourism policies that preserve the marine environment while supporting the local economy. 
  • The Soline archaeological zone lies near tourist routes and marine activity areas, posing risks from physical disturbance, looting, or unregulated diving. 

Ecosystem Characteristics

The coastline is ecologically diverse, marked by sandy beaches – rare in the Adriatic – and extensive Posidonia oceanica meadows essential for stabilizing the seabed and supporting fish nurseries. Additionally, rocky reefs and ancient Greek quarry sites create unique subaquatic landscapes valuable for both marine biodiversity and heritage tourism​ 

Responsible Team

The Municipality of Lumbarda will convene a Project Management Board (PMB) comprising the Mayor, a municipal project coordinator (10% FTE), a senior expert employed specifically for this initiative, and one representative from external IT company. The PMB will nominate a dedicated member to join the BioProtect Community of Practice (CoP), ensuring alignment with the project’s demonstration sites and meeting all mandatory training requirements.   

Marija Klisura

Mayor of Lumbarda Municipality
[email protected]