At five in the morning, while most are still sleeping, Miloš Jovanović is at sea. The fishing day begins with going out into the open sea and lifting equipment from the water that was set the previous night. He loads the caught fish onto the boat, then drives to the shore, where the fish goes further for sale. The fishing job is hard, says Miloš, but it is also economically profitable for all those who are willing to fully dedicate themselves to it.
“This must be loved in order to work. This cannot be done if it is not truly loved,” Miloš emphasizes.
He has been engaged in fishing since he was a child. What started as a boyish hobby has, over the past seven years, turned into a professional occupation.
“We mostly obtain the equipment from Italy, from Croatia; there isn’t that much here. The boat is good for what I do, I deal with catching large blue fish – tuna and swordfish,” Miloš points out.
There is room for progress in the Montenegrin fishing sector, says Miloš, adding that the support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management has been improving year by year, but challenges still remain.
“One of the biggest problems is the weather. Unfavorable weather conditions often prevent going to sea for several months, which directly affects earnings. The state could help fishermen a little in such situations,” Miloš emphasizes.
The problem also lies in selling the catch during the winter period, while in summer, sales, as Miloš points out, are easier: “In winter, fishermen face lower demand and a lack of processing capacities and exports.”
The temporary closure of Chapter 13 in mid-December, according to the ministry, means that investments in fishing will not stop, but Montenegrin fishermen will receive numerous benefits, including the possibility of subsidies of 50 to 90 percent for land logistics and infrastructure they lack.
For this reason, Miloš looks at Montenegro’s accession to the European Union with optimism. This, he says, will bring Montenegrin fishermen new opportunities for modernizing equipment and purchasing new boats.
“My expectations are, honestly, high. By joining the European Union, I believe we will gain access to funds that will help us improve our work and conditions,” Miloš says.
Negotiating Chapter 13 – Fisheries brings more opportunities for Montenegrin fishermen, the marine ecosystem, and citizens. By closing this chapter, Montenegro ensures sustainable fishing, better resource protection, and stable access to the European market. By joining the EU, Montenegrin products from the sea will receive a ticket to the EU market, with state support for fishermen and joint management of the sea with European partners.
For those who have tied their lives to the sea, fishing is not just a job, but a daily struggle with nature and constant adaptation to its rules. Between storm and calm, fishermen learn patience, responsibility, and respect for the sea – because only those who understand it can live from it.