English - Convention on Biological Diversity

82
COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
currently ranges from 70-90 tonnes/year. The major component of the catch today is
Carassius carassius, with P. fluviatilis and C. carpio representing minor constituents.
Concerning the fish catch in reservoirs, there are no valid statistical data. There are
estimates that over 200 tonnes/year of fish are caught from Tikvesh Lake only, mostly R.
rutilus, followed by, in decreasing order, Carp, Catfish, Bleak, Perch and Nase.
With respect to sport fishing, in addition to those species listed previously under
commercial fishing, important species also include: Barbus barbus (Barbel), B.
meridionalis (Mediterranean barbel), Chondrostoma nasus (Nase), Gobio gobio
(Gudgeon), Leuciscus cephalus (Chub), L. delineatus (Moderlieschen), Silurus glanis
(European catfish), Salmo trutta (Brown trout), and Vimba melanops (Balkan vimba).
Again, there are no relevant data on the total fish catch by sports anglers.
Occurrences of illegal fishing and the use of prohibited fishing gear (including certain
types of nets, chemicals and explosives) cause grave concern.
Using the basic data on the number of water bodies (natural lakes, reservoirs and
rivers) and their areas, estimates are that the annual fish catch in the Republic of
Macedonia ranges from 800 to 1,200 tonnes; however, a major portion of the catch is not
recorded.
4.2.2.3. Collection for medicinal use
In comparison with plants, the collection of animals for medicinal uses is rather
inconsiderable.
Until 1990, there was organised collection of the Medical leech (Hirudo medicinalis)
and the Nose-horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes), whose venom was used in the
preparation of the serum, antiviperinum. Today, such activities have been discontinued.
In traditional folk medicine, the Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), Hermann’s
tortoise (T. hermanni) and the 23 species of bats (Chiroptera) are still used. The
collection of these species does not appear to have reduced their populations, however.
On the mountain Yakupitsa (central Macedonia) at the site, “Begovo Pole Plain,” the
restricted population of the Macedonian endemic subspecies of the European souslik
(Spermophilus citellus karamani) may be found. The Macedonian common name of this
subspecies (Stobolka) is related to its use in traditional medicine, that is, it was believed
to be able to cure 100 aches (sto bolki). Although the collection of European souslik has
declined in recent decades, it does still occur, directly threatening the survival of this
Macedonian endemic subspecies.
4.2.2.4. Other uses, including species used in foreign trade
Other animals used primarily as foreign trade items consist of several snails. Two of
these are particularly important:
• The Edible (French) snail, Helix pomatia, the collection of which is forbidden
according to the international Bern <strong>Convention</strong>. In addition, in compliance with
IUCN, it belongs to the category of “vulnerable species.” In Macedonia, this snail
lives in fragmented areas of small populations. It can be found in eastern Macedonia
(Osogovo, Maleshevo mountains and Kozyak), and also on the Kozhuf and Shar
Planina Mountains in the west. The fact that this species is listed as a purchasable
species but has a reduced population makes it very likely that its future collection
and purchase will be prohibited in order to rebuild the populations.