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Climate change is affecting spatial distribution of lobster species and landings as a consequence. Effects of sea warming have already been documented in lobster species worldwide. The study describes recent changes (2008-2017) in the landing biomass, fishing effort and catch per unit effort CPUE (kg/day) data of European lobster Homarus gammarus in the eastern Adriatic Sea and links them to sea bottom temperatures measured at long-term in situ stations. Ocean numerical model (ROMS, Regional Ocean Modelling System) results were taken to quantify spatial and temporal differences between different fishing zones. For the northern and central Adriatic Sea, relationship between winter and spring sea bottom temperatures and CPUE data of H. gammarus were tested by correlation analysis. Positive and statistically significant trends of sea bottom temperature were observed between stations. For the northern Adriatic, trends of landing, effort and CPUE were positive and significant, while trends for central Adriatic Sea were insignificant. Correlation analysis between winter and spring sea bottom temperatures and CPUE data of H. gammarus revealed statistically significant relationship for both northern and central Adriatic Sea. Sea temperature is one of the most important environmental factors affecting the fluctuations of lobster abundance. Aside the more pronounced higher variability of summer sea bottom temperatures, northern Adriatic provides more favourable environmental conditions for boreal H. gammarus. Rising of sea temperatures have resulted in greater lobster mobility and thus its availability to fishing, which is reflected consequently in higher landings and CPUE. Temperature changes observed in this study reflect regional changes of climate system, and as a result, lobster management strategies will need to be changed and updated in the future.

The abundance and diversity of mostly juvenile fishes associated with plastic macro-litter floating by wind and surface currents were observed during last two decades by using visual census as an experimental tool in the nearshore and open waters of the eastern Adriatic Sea, Croatia. Ten fish species belonging to six families were identified associated with floating litter. Most of the specimens observed were juveniles suggesting the importance of floating objects as a nurseries, and thus in the recruitment and redistribution of young fishes. Marine litter represent a matter of growing concern for the Mediterranean Sea due deeply altering the structure of native communities. However, the role of floating marine litter as habitat/shelter or as a dispersal agent for fishes have received relatively little attention. Results from the present study suggest that fishes opportunistically use whatever habitats as shelters are available in pelagic environments where substrates are scarce. The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most polluted seas worldwide, especially with regard to plastics. The vast quantities of floating anthropogenic debris, comprised primarily of non-biodegradable plastic polymers, probably will augment natural floating substrates in marine environment and include large effects and interactions with species exposed to massive litter quantities. Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) of traditional fishermen and people who are often on the sea are very valuable source of information regarding the fishes associated with floating marine litter.

Sport climbers should possess specific anthropometric characteristics and conditioning capacities to reach a top level in this sport. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine gender differences in the fitness status of the top-level youth sport climbers. METHODS: The study was conducted on 20 elite Croatian youth sport climbers (all members of the national team, ten females; 13-18 years of age). The variables included anthropometric status (mass, height, arm span, and body fat percentage), generic- (countermovement- and squat-jump, grip strength), and specific-fitness tests (power slap test and Draga foot lift). RESULTS: Boys were taller than girls (t-test=2.51, p=0.02, moderate effect size (ES)), and had lower body fat percentage (t=- 5.66, p=0.001, very large ES). Boys achieved better results in countermovement- (t=5.39, p=0.001, very large ES) and squat-jump (t=2.19, p=0.04, moderate ES), while there were no gender differences in the specific fitness tests. CONCLUSION: Gender differences were observed in generic but not in specific fitness, which may indicate that climbing is a specific sport that requires and develops specific abilities in a similar way in boys and girls.

Along the Adriatic coast in recent decades, continuous embankment has been recorded in order to create new tourist facilities together with environmental changes associated with warming. Further on, signs of high fishing pressure are recognized and highlighted on the European level. The coast characterized by numerous bays, coves and lagoons represent at the same time a mosaic of different nurseries for most of the fish species inhabiting the study area. A multivariate analysis of juvenile fish community data, sampled at two nursery sites at an interval of 17 years (2000 – early, and 2017 – late), was conducted to elucidate the trends of change in littoral juvenile fish communities along the eastern Adriatic coast. For that purpose, fishing, trophic and taxonomic composition of the community data were analyzed. The community composition differed significantly for Site, Period and all interactions and four groups of communities were defined, with clear cyclicity. No similar patterns were found in species composition between sites in the early period, while the observed community changes were governed by the same pattern at both sites in the late period. The species that contributed most to the observed changes were non- commercial, small, benthic resident fishes or those associated with canopy alga for shelter and feeding. The analysis correctly allocated samples based on community information to Sites and Periods. The results suggested that sifting in juvenile fish communities may be the consequence of constant embankment and marine infrastructure construction along the Adriatic coast in the last two decades, rather than climate change or fishing pressure, as generally considered.

Sport climbing is a sport that requires highly developed muscles of the upper body. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the reliability of the upper extremity explosiveness test in young climbers. The study involved 20 young climbers (10 women), aged 13-18 years. The study included anthropometric variables consisting of body height (TV), body mass (TM), body fat percentage (% TM), and upper-body power test (SLAP). The reliability of the SLAP test was checked using Chrombach’s alpha (CA) and intra-item correlation coefficients (IIC) for the left and right hand. High values of IIC (0.97) and CA (0.99) on the left and right hand indicate that the SLAP test has a high reliability. The SLAP test showed a very high reliability determined from three push-up take-offs on each arm which proved that the SLAP test can be used to test top youth climbers. Such tests are very important for determining the status of the muscles of the upper extremities in climbers and can serve to identify successful climbers and to monitor their training progress.

The Echeneidae or Remoras are a family of worldwide distributed marine fish species. They hitchhike by attaching themselves to sharks, rays, sea turtles and whales as well as ships and other floating objects via a suction disc, while some species are capable of swimming freely. Five of eight known species occur in the Mediterranean waters, belonging to two genera: Echeneis (E. naucrates) and Remora (R. australis, R. brachyptera, R. osteochir and R. remora). Although the presence of R. brachyptera in the Mediterranean is mentioned in the literature, absence of documented records resulted in exclusion of this species from the latest evidence-based checklist of Mediterranean fishes as its historical and contemporary presence in the Mediterranean could not be confirmed. The spearfish Remora, Remora brachyptera (Lowe, 1839) is an epipelagic species found in tropical to warm waters to a maximum depth of 200 m. This species can reach a total length of 50 cm, although most are no longer than 25 cm. The examined specimen of R. brachyptera was caught by the fisher in the central Adriatic Sea. The specimen was caught on 18th of June 2021 by trawl near Blitvenica Island at a depth of 150–200 m. The specimen was identified, measured, weighed, photographed and a tissue sample was taken for genetic analysis. Total length (TL) of the caught specimen was 17.3 cm, while fish weighed 21.7 g. Species identification was confirmed both morphologically and by genetic barcoding. This finding represents the first confirmed record of this species from the Mediterranean Sea.

Continuous embankment has been reported in recent decades along the Adriatic coast. In the same time, environmental changes associated with warming and climate change are evident throughout Mediterranean. Further on, a signs of high fishing pressure are recognized and highlighted on the European level. The eastern Adriatic coast characterised by numerous bays, coves and lagoons represent at the same time a mosaic of different nurseries for a great number of fish species. In the present study, the multivariate analysis was conducted to elucidate the interannual changes of new settlers’ occurrence and abundance in different nurseries in relation to interannual environmental differences and habitat degradation due continuous embankment. With that aim, fishing, trophic and taxonomic composition and structure of the community data were analysed. Sampling included sites from estuaries to marine coves and statistically significant interannual differences in temperature were found but not in salinity. However, defined groups expressed significant difference in fish abundance and species richness related to the significant difference in salinity and temperature for the same consecutive years. Settler’s delay or retention due negative temperature deviation in spawning period is primarily linked to the northern estuarine nurseries that are under greater coastal influence. Pure marine nurseries at south were less sensitive to interannual temperature fluctuations and mostly defined by salinity influence. The observed community changes in species composition were probably governed by the same pattern since they are reported for specific nursery type. Moreover, the species that mostly contributed to the observed changes were non- commercial, small, benthic resident fishes or those associated with canopy alga for shelter and feeding. The results suggested that major sifting in juvenile fish communities can be expected if the spring is cold and rainy (like in 2019) when late settlement and longer retention of specific fish species were determined due to negative temperature deviation in the spawning period, particularly at the nurseries located in the northern transitional waters that are under a stronger coastal influence and characterised by constant embankment process and marine infrastructure construction. These shifts can have ecological consequences on the population dynamics and inter- and intraspecific relationships within specific nursery ‘communities and for sure can influence recruit year-class strength and therefore have a serious impact on fisheries.

In the framework of Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) European Union Member States (MS) monitor the environmental status of marine waters. In this context, non- indigenous species (NIS) represent one of the descriptors (D2) for determining and achieving Good Environmental Status (GES) and each member country is obliged to establish a monitoring programme to collect data to assess progress towards achieving GES. With the aim of early detection of NIS species, number of their new introductions is set as a primary criterion for this descriptor. Here we report the inventory of NIS for fish species for which the initial assessment in the Croatian Adriatic, under the MSFD monitoring programme, begun in 2016. To increase and supplement the scale of monitoring, methods utilized to record fish NIS include: analyses of experimental and commercial fisheries catches, in situ visual census samplings and citizen science observations. In the last 6 years (2016– 2021), 4 non-indigenous species have been recorded: Siganus luridus, Abudefduf sp., Bregmaceros nectabanus and Pterois miles. With exception of Siganus luridus, all other species have been recorded for the first time in Croatian waters. Southern and middle part of the Adriatic are locations of all the introductions, while natural spread via Suez Canal corridor and shipping are suspected to be the most likely potential pathways of introduction.

Small-scale fisheries make up an important part of the Croatian fishing fleet. Characteristics of such fisheries are numerous multi-purpose boats with various fishing gears, multi-species catch composition and numerous landing sites. Through Data Collection Framework (DCF) data collection of small-scale fisheries is carried out in Croatian waters. In this study we present catch composition of major small-scale fishing gears (4 trammel nets: poponica, listarica, salpara, sipara ; 3 gillnets: prostica, psara, polandara) in terms of species richness and biomass in the period from 2013 to 2021. The most diversified catches of trammel nets were from poponica (108 species) and of gillnets from prostica (95 species). The most represented species in catch biomass for trammel nets were: poponica - Sepia officinalis (20, 78 %) and Sparus aurata (15, 24 %) ; listarica - Solea solea (80, 55 %) ; salpara - Sparus aurata (41, 63 %), Euthynnus alletteratus (13, 65 %) and Sarda sarda (10, 21 %) ; sipara - Sepia officinalis (69, 95 %). The most represented species in catch biomass for gillnets were: prostica - Merluccius merluccius (62, 86 %) ; psara - Mustelus mustelus (36, 30 %) and Mustelus punctulatus (14, 61 %) ; polandara - Sparus aurata (46, 30 %) and Sarda sarda (13, 20 %).

The aim of this study was to determine the consistency of contribution certain anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities have to the prediction of sports career’s success in volleyball. The sample of participants consisted of 181 female volleyball players out of which 80 were active and 101 were non-active players. The current mean chronological age of participants was 19.15±0.83 years, and mean training age was 102.96±16.75 months. Six anthropometric tests were used (body height, body mass, upper arm skinfold, back skinfold, abdomen skinfold and lower leg skinfold) and eight motor abilities tests (side steps, broad jump, lying medicine ball throw, 20 m sprint, 9-3-6-3-9, step hop, high jump and high jump after a volleyball run-up). The analysis of differences revealed that the players who have continued to play volleyball, five years after the initial tests, had significantly lower body fat and significantly higher vertical jumping ability than the players who quit practicing volleyball.

Utvrđeni su elementni (kemijski) sastavi otolita odabranih vrsta riba porodice ljuskavki (Sparidae) pomoću laserske ablacije – induktivno spregnutom plazmatskom masenom spektrometrijom (LA-ICPMS), kristalna struktura otolita komarče, Sparus aurata pomoću konfokalne Ramanove mikrospektroskopije (CRM) te stabilni izotopi u mišićnom tkivu pica, Diplodus puntazzo i fratra, Diplodus vulgaris. Aragonit je glavna komponenta otolita komarče, a orijentacije kristala te tragovi kalcita i stroncijanita potvrdili su zone prirasta. Prikazan je obrazac korištenja estuarijskih i morskih rastilišta te povezanost koncentracije kemijskih elemenata i dijelova otolita. Inovativno kombiniranje elementnih sastava i stabilnih izotopa pokazalo je trofičke razlike kod pica i fratra pri korištenju morskog i estuarijskog rastilišta. Potencijalno je negativna izloženost onečišćenju na ušću Neretve utvrđena kod nedoraslih komarči s individualno povišenim koncentracijama Pb. Korištenjem multivarijatnih i kanonskih analiza uspješno su realocirani pic i fratar u poznata rastilišta na osnovi koncentracija Ba i Sr. Nešto je niža uspješnost postignuta u realokaciji nedoraslih komarči na osnovi koncentracija Sr, Zn i Mg. Daljnji razvoj sklerokronoloških istraživanja, uz utvrđene prepreke i nedostatke, dovest će do njihove šire primjene u Sredozemnome moru i omogućiti bolje razumijevanje ekoloških pokretača promjena u morskom okolišu. The elemental (chemical) compositions of otoliths of selected Sparidae species using Laser ablation – Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), otolith crystal structure of gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata using confocal Raman microscope (CRM) and stable isotope of muscle tissue of sharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo and common two-banded seabream, Diplodus vulgaris were studied. Aragonite is the main component of seabream otoliths while crystal orientations and calcite and strontianite traces have confirmed growth zones. The pattern of estuarine and marine habitats uses and relationships between the concentration of chemical elements and parts of otoliths are shown. An innovative combination of elemental compositions and stable isotopes indicates trophic differences in D. puntazzo and D. vulgaris when using marine and estuarine habitat. Potentially negative exposure to pollution at Neretva estuary was found in juvenile seabreams with individually elevated Pb concentrations. Using multivariate and canonical analyzes, D. puntazzo and D. vulgaris were successfully reallocated to known habitats based on Ba and Sr concentrations. Slightly lower success was achieved in the reallocation of juvenile seabream based on the concentrations of Sr, Zn and Mg. Further development of sclerochronological research, with identified obstacles and shortcomings, will enable its wider application in the Mediterranean Sea as a basis for a better understanding of the ecological drivers of change in the marine environment.

Introduction: The most important period for brain development and development of cognitive skills is up to the age of twelve, but the first few years of life are especially important. Some studies (Diamond et al., 2006) have shown that cognitive skills depend on the number of synapses, which are mostly formed by the age of five (50%), seven (75%), and twelve (95%). Children carry a great potential for the development of the neural network, but the environment and early stimulation are crucial factors. Early physical activity has a positive effect on intellectual, motor, and health development of a child. One of the indicators of children’s current health status is the percentage of obese children and adolescents, which, according to the World Health Organization, has increased from 4% in 1975 to 18% in 2016 (WHO, 2016). Without play and early physical activity, children can develop serious problems in their development. This study was conducted on children, with the aim of analyzing fine motor skills through several easy tests. The importance of this study is in its results, which should serve as an incentive for people in a child’s environment to influence and strive to improve the anthropological characteristics of children. The aim of the study was to determine the psychosensory status of preschool children by using tests of the NTC system of learning. Methods: The study was conducted on a total sample of participants (N=50) which included 29 girls and 21 boys attending 4 preschools in Kaštela, divided into two age groups: 4-5 years (N=25) and 5-6 years (N=25). For this purpose, a measuring instrument for monitoring the conditions and elements of psychophysical development of children was applied (Nikola Tesla Center-system of learning ; Rajović, 2009). Results: The results of the study showed poor motor skills in preschool children. Of the total sample of participants (N=50), 14% of participants succeeded in performing the test of lifting the index finger and the ring finger (2nd + 4th finger). Furthermore, in the tying shoelaces test, the relative value of successfully performed tests was 24%. In the psychosensory test of catching a ball, 40% of participants had a below-average result, with 7 or fewer balls caught. Significant differences according to gender and age were found in the psychosensory test of tying shoelaces, with the level of significance at p≤0.05. Conclusion: Future studies should increase the number of participants and include a larger number of psychosensory tests in a longitudinal study of motor skills after applying the NTC system of learning. This study emphasizes the importance of early psychophysical stimulation of children.

By applying the newly constructed Questionnaire on the incidence of knee pain and injuries in soccer on a sample of 39 senior soccer players participating in Croatian first-league competitions, good metric characteristics of the measuring instrument were determined. A high coefficient of reliability and good sensitivity of scales of the Questionnaire indicate the possibility of its application in further research. Significant differences were found in the incidence of knee pain according to gender in three of the total ten variables used in this study. The total of 63.16% female soccer players reported lack of knee injury, whereas 55% of male soccer player reported knee injuries, which indicates higher incidence of injuries among male players. The most common knee injuries are meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament injuries, which is quantitatively represented by a relative value of 50.00%. The scientific contribution of this paper is in the construction and validation of a new measuring instrument for determining the incidence of knee pain and injuries in soccer. Guidelines for future studies include the necessity to increase the number of both male and female participants and to modify the questionnaire by increasing the number of items and variables.

The occurrence of American lobster (Homarus americanus) was reported by the fisher-man on the western coast of Istria, Adriatic Sea. In January of 2018 one specimen of American lobster was caught on north-western part of Istria (45°30.502’N, 13°28.656’E) with trammel nets at a depth of 20 m. Specimen was identified, measured, weighed, pho-tographed and tissue sample was taken for genetic analysis. Total length (TL) of the caught female specimen was 25, 8 cm, carapace length (CL) was 9, 5 cm, second abdomen segment width was 4, 9 cm and specimen weighed 499 g. Visual identification was later confirmed genetically. American lobsters (Homarus americanus) are native to the east coast of North America and Canada. They have been imported live into Europe through seafood trade. Findings of H. americanus in European waters are result of the intentional or unintentional release. In several European countries live H. americanus has been cap-tured in the marine waters. This has raised concerns about possible impact on stocks of the native European lobster (Homarus gammarus), as well as on other native crustacean species. These introductions present potential risks of disease transmission, hybridization, and/or competition for resources.

Coastal waters are highly structured and valuable marine ecosystems recognized as pro- ductive areas used by several fish species for reproductive activities, foraging and shelter. Many of valuable coastal habitats are under increasing environmental and human pres-sures. In last decades, climate change and fisheries have driven significant changes in ichthyocommunities in term of distribution, abundance and biomass. The aim of the study is to investigate temporal changes in the composition and structure of littoral juvenile fish assemblages through their response to environmental and anthropogenic factor. Samples were collected on monthly basis in 1991 and from March, 2017 to February 2018 on seasonal basis in area of cove Sovlja near Šibenik. The individuals were caught using a special constructed small shore seine (L = 25 m ; minimum mesh size 4mm) same con-struction and technical features that used in sampling before. A total of 17216 fish weigh-ing 19.399 kg, comprising 25 families and 70 species were recorded in 1991 and a total of 9887 fish weighing 11.260 kg, comprising 20 families and 55 species were recorded in 2018. The Sparidae and Gobiidae were the most important families in 2000 and 2018. During the whole study the most abundant and frequently observed species were the big-scale sand smelt, Atherina boyeri, which was present with 52% of total catch and 69.4 % of shore seine sampling (2018) and the Mediterranean sand smelt, Atherina hepsetus, which was present with 26% of total catch and 50 % of shore seine sampling (1991). These results clearly indicate that the littoral fish assemblages in cove Sovlja changed continuously during the study period. Multivariate community analysis of these data may shed light on temporal changes of fish species through response to human-induced factors such as fisheries and habitat modification due climate changes.

Over the past two decades, field of sclerochronology has been rapidly developing and scientists are devoting significant efforts studying physical and chemical variations in hard tissues of different marine organisms. Most of this research has been limited to certain taxa and geographic areas. Although growth increments in fish otoliths are being used for sclerochronological purposes, very little has been done in the Mediterranean Sea. The main reasons include following: (i) the longevity of very few fish species in the Mediterranean Sea extends over several decades, (ii) there are almost no otolith samples available prior to 1950s, (iii) there are problems associated with reliable age determination for certain long-lived fish species (e.g. Sparidae, Scorpaenidae, Serranidae), (iv) efforts to model the impact of climate change on fish growth have been hampered by a lack of long-term (multidecadal) data needed to understand the effects of temperature on growth rates in natural environments and (v) funding, expertise and instrumentation is limited. Despite these challenges, fish sclerochronology research does have the potential in the Mediterranean, and adjacent Seas. Recent studies in the Adriatic Sea resulted in construction of bivalve chronologies as well as geochemical analysis of shells and provide important time-series data for comparative analysis and multispecies approach. Furthermore, studies conducted in other parts of the world have demonstrated potential for use fish otolith as monitors of environmental variability and the effects of pollutants and disturbance. In a framework of NURSE fish project, financed by the Croatian Science Foundation, we recently started geochemical analysis of otoliths from Sparidae family and are investigating ways and possibilities for developing this line of research at the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in Split.

Elasmobranchs constitute a target or bycatch of a wide variety of fishing techniques. Such anthropogenic pressure has brought to a drastic reduction of local populations across the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, limited - data collection and species misidentif ication, among others, have led to a scarcity of historical data on species occurrence and abundance trends in several taxa. Such information is particularly valuable to study migration dynamics and behavior variations, as well as to reconstruct historical trends. To fill this data gap, the use of local ecological knowledge from professional fishermen can be considered as a valuable source of semi - quantitative information on several aspects of species ecology, abundance and behavioral aspects. Through a questionnaire survey, fishermen operating with diverse fishing gears such as bottom and pelagic trawlers, set nets and longlines were interviewed by trained researchers with the aid of photo - identification materials. A total of 211 interviews were collected across nine Mediterranean FAO - GSA sub - areas (9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 28). Results covered a wide range of elasmobranch species with regard to coastal, pelagic and deep - sea environment. Interviewers indicated species that were abundant in the past, declined recently and showed size variation compared to past catches. Moreover, fishermen reported aggregation sightings/events, seasonal movements and species - specific fishing area. The present study constitutes a baseline regarding abundance and distribution of elasmobranch species in historical times and may represent a valuable tool for data deficient taxa. It also gives new insights on elasmobranchs behavioral and ecological aspects and highlights priority species and suitable geographic areas for conservation and behavioral studies.