CODE OF CONDUCT Photographs provided by:

Association Argonauta
Pijaca Društva seoske izobraženosti bb Hrvoje Čižmek
Protection of biodiversity of the Sit-Žut island group is an important link in the HR-22243 MURTER
protection of the exceptional richness of biodiversity of the entire Adriatic, and Tel/faks: +385 (0)22 434 827 Martina Markov Podvinski

Important landscape
relies on the conscientious behaviour of us all. Therefore you are kindly asked: Mob: +385 (0)91 206 6657
w w w. a rg o n a u ta . h r Martina & Tomislav Gomerčić

Ante Žuljević
Not to throw rubbish into the sea or dump it in nature. Rubbish containers are lo-
cated in the inhabited bays.
TURISTIČKA ZAJEDNICA
Daniel Frka Sit-Žut island group
MURTER - KORNATI Jochen Reinau
Avoid anchoring whenever possible. Anchoring mechanically de-
stroys the seabed and damages the population of Mediterranean Tourist Board of Murter-Kornati NAVIGATOR magazine
tapeweed. Anchors and anchoring chains can be the means of Rudina bb • HR-22243 MURTER
transporting the invasive species into an area where their expan- Tel.: +385 (0)22 434 995 • Faks: 434 950
sion endangers the existing biodiversity. Therefore we kindly re- w w w. tzo -mu r te r. h r
quest that you inspect your anchor-
ing equipment before submerging,
remove the species shown here and Public institution for manag-
dispose it in the rubbish containers. ing protected areas of nature
and other natural values in
the region of the Šibenik-
Not to set open fire in nature.Fires Knin County
threaten the vegetation and
traditional sheep-farming, Trg Pavla Šubića I br. II • HR-22000 ŠIBENIK
valuable elements of the characteristics of the Sit-Žut island group . Due to the Tel.: +385 (0)22 218 462 • Faks: 218 331 Dear visitors!
lack of running water, it will be very hard to put out fires.
You too can participate in the research and
Not to damage the plants. Many species present in the Sit-Žut island group are rare This leaflet was produced in the framework of
and endangered. the project “Increased Biodiversity and Coastal protection of the Sit-Žut island group. In case
Conservation in Croatia’s Kornati Archipelago”
financed by the Dutch Government through the of findings of invasive algae and dolphin
DOLPHINS ARE NEAR!!! This aquatorium is a priority habitat for the protection of BBI-MATRA Programme of the Netherlands Ministry
the bottlenose dolphin. When approaching them, reduce the speed of your vessel of Agriculture, Nature Protection and Food Safety. encounters, but also if you observe any other
and do not move towards them, rather follow the direction of their movement and
do not come closer than 100 m. Sudden changes of direction or speed, and pre- interesting features, please call:
sence of a large number of vessels disturbs them! Reprint of the publication is supported by Croatian Mi-
nistry of Tourism in the framework of “Plava brazda”
programme. 091 403 3031
Ministarstvo turizma
REPUBLIKE Hrvatske

Sit-Žut island group
SIT
S i t s k i k a nal
KURBA MALA
ŽUT
Ž ut s k i k a nal
ABA
The Sit-Žut island group occupies the north eastern part of the Kornati archipelago. It con-
sists of 2 islands, 38 islets and 8 reefs with a total surface area of 195 km2 and a total coastal
length of about 95 km. The Sit-Žut island group, as well as the entire Kornati archipelago fol-
lows the general direction of the Dinaric massif (northwest – southeast). The land consists
of limestone and abounds with typical karst forms – caves and pits.
Throughout its long history, the entire archipelago has been a significant pasture and fish-
ing zone, while the cultivation of olives has been limited to smaller, more easily accessible
arable surfaces. Numerous traditionally built “stanovi”, pens for livestock and berths for
small boats, today bear witness to such farming activities in the past.
The cultural heritage, but also the biological and geological characteristics of the entire
Kornati archipelago were recognised back in 1967, when the entire archipelago was pro-
claimed a “protected natural area”. After announcing the Piškera and Kornati island group
a national park, the remaining islands – Sit-Žut island group – remained at the same level
of protection, and according to the new categorisation of protected regions this is now the
category of important landscapes.
The important landscape “Sit-Žut island group” is an area of great biological diversity, land-
scape and cultural-historical value, intended for rest and relaxation.
The Great purple gorgonian (Paramuricea clavata) is a long-living,
FLORA AND FAUNA slow growing sessile invertebrate. It grows on craggy coralligenous
shelves up to 100 m in depth in areas with strong currents, like ca-
The larger islands are overgrown with pasture forms of vegetation as nals between islands and reefs. It comprises a branched
during long historical periods the forests were systematically burnt to trunk which can reach up to 1 m in height. The variety
obtain pasture areas. Today there are Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) can be found on the Red List of endangered coral.
“Forests” on the hills Lukovnjak and Platina. The Pen shell (Pinna nobilis)is the largest Adriatic shell closely connected to
The flora of the Sit-Žut island group pri- the meadows of Mediterranean tapeweed. It is an endemic species that only lives
marily consists of the grasses in the Mediterranean region. Due to its size and ap-
(Brachypodium ramo- pearance for years it was renowned as a valued
sum) and common knot- decoration and souvenir and is rare today. It is
weed (Arenastrum fili- strictly protected.
forme). An important part The Tun snail (Tonna galea) is one of the largest
of the flora is also comprised of snail varieties in the Adriatic. It lives solitary or in
curry plant (Helichrysum italicum), sage (Salvia officinalis), groups on soft sandy or silty sediments, at depths
mastic (Pistacia lentiscus) and terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus). of 10 to 150 m. As its name states, the shell of this va-
Lattice sea-lavender (Limonium cancellatum) is an endemic riety is barrel shaped, very large and relatively fragile. Due to its attractive appear-
variety which grows in the cracks of coastal rock faces, in the ance and size it was often fished in the past and offered
zone of airborne salt and splashing of waves. Due to its at- as a souvenir, which lead to a reduction in its
tractiveness for years now it has been collected like a souvenir; population. It is strictly protected.
therefore the species is rare today. The European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristo-
Medicinal sage (Salvia officinalis) is a wild growing woody bush with telis) ) is a common species of rocky coasts
dark blue-purplish flowers which can grow up to 40 cm. It grows – cliffs of the Sit-Žut island group. The spe-
on the dry and sunny slopes of the Kornati islands. All parts of cies is closely related to the marine eco-
the plant have a strong aromatic scent. The medicinal properties system. It hunts its prey, benthic fish, by
of this plant have been known from ancient times, when Roman diving to depths of up to 45 m. The spe-
writer and scientist Plinius named it Salvia, after the Latin word cies is also on the international Red List
“salvus”, to heal. of threatened species.
Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica), which is also called The Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops
seagrass, is the most important element of biological diversity of the truncatus) is the only mammal permanently in-
entire Adriatic. This variety represents the habitat, feeding place and habiting the Adriatic. It is endangered from sea pollution,
hatchery of numerous sea organisms. It enriches the sea water and excessive fishing and massive tourism. The species is common in
sediment with oxygen and that is why it is often called the “lungs of the the entire Kornati archipelago. To ensure its preservation, we rec-
sea”. With its roots it fastens the sediment and prevents it from being ommend not to disturbe them in any manner.
swept away, while its long leaves reduce the strength of the waves and The region of the Sit-Žut island group is a part of the National Eco-
protect the coast from erosion. Meadows of Mediterranean tapeweed play an important role in the cycle logical Network as a priority habitat for protection of the bottle-
of circulation of nutritional salt in the sea. Mediterranean tapeweed is the longest living organism of the nose dolphin, and is a potential NATURA 2000 site.
Mediterranean!
Sea pollution, filling up of the coast but also anchoring today leads to a reduction in the meadows of
Mediterranean tapeweed, which process subsequently endangers the entire marine system. The listed species are only some of the protected species living in the region of the
Sit-Žut island group, which are all important links in the preservation of biodiversity of
the entire Kornati archipelago. To ensure their preservation any collection, destructi-
on, hunting or any other form of endangering is prohibited.