Marine transportation is considered to be one of the most important aspects of global transportation services. Due to the increase in marine transportation, there are significant impacts on the marine environment. One of the possible measures for mitigation of the environmental impact could be switching to environmentally friendly fuel. However, the alternative fuel selection process is considered to be a problem due to various criteria to be considered and stakeholders that should be involved in the selection process. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the application of multicriteria analysis as a decision-support tool for the alternative marine fuel selection problem in coastal marine traffic. The suggested methodology takes into account environmental, technological, and economic aspects, and ensures the participation of different stakeholders in the selection process. The priority ranking of the alternatives is based on a combination of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Simple Additive Weighting (SAW). The implementation of this method considers the involvement of relevant stakeholders through evaluation of the criteria weights and performance of each alternative with respect to each criterion. The method is applied for the case study of Croatia, where the results demonstrated that the best alternative for all stakeholders is electric propulsion, even though there are differences in opinions and perceptions with respect to the objectives and criteria. The findings of this analysis, likely the first of this type in this area, can serve as a solid basis for strategic planning.

The description of sound as a form of energetic pollutant is very complex as is also its impact on aquatic life. Human activities causing continuous and implosive underwater noise, such as marine traffic, maintenance of ships, coastal tourism, marine research, military, offshore energy platforms, generation of ocean energies and construction operations are expected to increase. The paper analyses current approach to minimise the impact of underwater noise and limit its emissions, examines regulatory approach and discusses the possibilities to control this type of pollution in order to ensure the preservation of natural underwater soundscape. The timely implementation and further development of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive and its provisions related to underwater noise is of exceptional importance for the Adriatic Sea, which is facing increasing pressure from various industries generating underwater noise.

Emissions produced by the fuel combustion in marine engines are one of major causes of the marine environment pollution and have negative impact on both human health and the environment. That impact is more pronounced for vessels which mostly operate near ports and inhabited areas, such as ro-ro passenger ships. In order to evaluate the environmental impact of a ship, a life cycle assessment of a ro-ro passenger vessel operating in the Adriatic Sea has been performed. Two different power system designs were investigated, i.e. lithium-ion battery-driven vessel and diesel engine-driven vessel. The analyses were performed by means of general LCA software GREET 2018, where the life cycle for both power system designs is divided in two stages: constitutive parts of the first stage are processes from life cycle of fuel without its use in vessel, while vessel operation represents the second stage. The analysis showed that diesel engine-driven vessel emits 79.740 kg CO2-eq/nm, versus battery-driven vessel with 27.471 kg CO2-eq/nm.

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive adopted in 2008 aims to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) of the EU’s marine waters by 2020 and to protect the resource base upon which marinerelated economic and social activities depend. To that end each Member State is required to develop its Marine Strategy, keep it up-to-date and have it reviewed every 6 years. The Republic of Croatia has by mid-2019 not adopted its national strategic document. The paper analyses the chronology, content of EU official country reports on marine environment, possible obstacles in adoption procedure and presents proposal for more efficient approach to protecting the Adriatic Sea. Marine spatial planning is also considered key instrument for managing the conflicts resulting from the increasing utilization and industrialization of the world’s seas and oceans. The process of national marine policy adoption should be made more clear and transparent to general public which is at the same time the public concerned, and to expert community. Strategic vision can only be built on knowledge, education and awareness of wider public.

The removal of a single tree growing in an urban area or a patch of forest for development purposes is a practice that results from inappropriate economic approach to and unawareness of the value of natural capital and the services it provides. The paper analyses the benefits of the existence of urban trees and discusses valuation methods, emphasizing in particular the value of vegetation in the coastal area of the Republic of Croatia. Due to holistic focus of the topic, a qualitative research is applied based on observations, authors’ previous research, experiences, reports on current research and legislation. Several instruments for the preservation and maintenance of vegetation are proposed ranging from the measures by local self-governments, upgrading the system of fees for forest general benefit functions to proper implementation of non-financial reporting which should apply to all companies whose operations may have an impact on natural capital, regardless of their size and ownership structure. National legislation should meet more than a minimum compliance with EU directives and international efforts in standardizing non-financial reporting. Many companies undertake activities that may and do exert pressure on vegetation cover or natural capital, as do also the entities of public interest such as local and regional self-government units and the companies established by them, which should also become liable to non-financial reporting.

Biodiversity as a planetary boundary and sustainability are strongly related to fish stocks and fisheries that are regulated by a number of sources of law with the aim of achieving their sustainability. The paper analyses current application, impact and effectiveness of the Common Fisheries Policy that sets the rules for fishing fleets management in the European Union and for fish stocks conservation as well as the 2020 Report on its implementation by the European Court of Auditors. It also examines the present and potential implementation and effects of Blue Growth, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, United Nations legal framework and Sustainable Development Goals on fisheries and aquaculture activities in the Adriatic Sea, a semi-enclosed and biodiversity rich sea. Improvements in implementing marine ecosystem approach and marine spatial planning are proposed in policy and regulatory framework, focusing on characteristics of the Adriatic Sea. Resilient solutions require placing more focus on characteristics of regional seas and applying site-specific tailor-made solutions and less complex but efficient governance for the seas which entail integrated approach to exploitation and preservation of the resources and their health.