CROATIAN FISHERY – HARMONIZATION OF REGULATIONS AND HOW TO ACCESS EU?

Problems in Croatian fishery that impacts on low competitiveness were well known even before harmonization process start. EU accession process put even addition emphasis on the mentioned problem. In fact, increasing competitiveness from equal situation for market participants is one of the basic functions of the EU regulation harmonization in the accession process. It is highly integrated market environment and extremely demanding due to high level of European market norms. Legal basis of the process, and at the same time criteria for Croatian legalization assessment, have been determined during screening phase - chapter 13 - fishery. Beside harmonization, changes are necessary in physical characteristics and spatial relationships, primary assuring area for fish discharge on the part of the front. It increases fishermen security, manipulation with a fish is easier, risk of contamination is low, control and compliances with the fish trade standards according to the EU standards and regulations are enabled. The paper aims to analyze national documents and acquis in fish trade (Common Market Organisation; Common Fishery Policy) and determine needs for harmonization between Croatian and EU laws and introduction of the CMO measures. The paper indicates necessary activities in harmonization of regulations and proposed institutional and administrative changes. Due to absence of regulation, changes in Croatian fishery sector will not be conducted properly and consequently it won’t have equal chances on the EU market. Therefore this subject needs to be included in governmental priorities with the objective to assure legal basis for adequate infrastructure and suprastructure. The results presented are a part of the research conducted during authors’ work on the Fishery infrastructure in accordance with EU acquis feasibility study