Adriatic Sea

The Adriatic Sea, the northernmost part of the Mediterranean Sea, separates the Italian Peninsula from the Balkans. This semi-enclosed basin supports pelagic, demersal, and inshore fisheries exploited by both EU and non-EU countries. Tidal movements in the Adriatic are slight, although larger amplitudes are known to occur occasionally. The Adriatic’s salinity is lower than the rest of the Mediterranean, as it receives about one third of the freshwater flowing into the Mediterranean. The northern and central Adriatic have been extensively studied due to their morphology and concentration of commercial fisheries. The region is among the most important and productive fishing grounds in the Mediterranean and is characterised by the highest trawling intensity in the world. Compared to other Mediterranean regions, the Adriatic Sea is relatively well-studied, with stock assessments and research on fishing impacts, including recent analysed of COVID-19 effects on fish stocks and fisheries.