Bivalve Harvesting and Aquaculture Production in Croatia: An Overview of the 21st Century

The Adriatic Sea is an important center for bivalve fisheries and aquaculture, yet recent decades have seen pronounced fluctuations in production. This study analyzes the Croatian bivalve sector in the 21st century, integrating long-term production statistics with trade and price data to identify key trends and drivers. Results reveal an early peak in production during the mid-2000s, followed by a marked decline and persistent instability, with aquaculture generally dominating but temporarily surpassed by capture fisheries in the mid-2010s. Species composition remained consistent, with the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis leading production, followed by the oyster Ostrea edulis, the clam Venus verrucosa, and the scallop Pecten jacobaeus. All species experienced sharp declines in landings in 2020, likely linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, but subsequently showed a partial recovery. Trade analysis indicates that rising imports increasingly outpaced exports, reflecting growing domestic demand, whereas prices rose across all species, particularly for high-value oysters and clams. These findings underscore the vulnerability of the Croatian bivalve sector to environmental variability, market pressures, and global disruptions, highlighting the need for adaptive management strategies that enhance resilience and sustainability.