The Cijevna River flows through Albania and Montenegro. The total length of the river is 58,8 km (in Montenegro 32.3km). The spring of Cijevna is located west of the mountain Trojan (2,183 meter) in the Prokletije mountain range. In Montenegro, the Cijevna river forms a canyon that is protected in the category of natural monuments, and also has international protection. The canyon of the Cijevna River is home to numerous endemic, relict representatives of flora and fauna. Cijevna river is particularly important for salmonid fish species such as: Salmo marmoratus Salmo farioides, Salmo dentex but also for the critically endangered species, the European eel Anguilla anguilla. Due to the presence of native salmonid species, the Cijevna River is an attractive destination for the development of sustainable sport fishing.

However, even though it is a protected area, salmonid species are affected by poaching, gravel and sand exploitation. The management of this protected area is entrusted to the Municipality of Tuza, the Secretariat for Urban Planning and the Environment. Preparation of the Management Plan for this area is underway.

The project was prepared and developed in cooperation with the Municipality of Tuzi, the manager of the Cijevna River Canyon natural monument, and aims to contribute to more efficient, improved management of the protected area through the implementation of the following activities:

• identification and mapping of the main pressures along the river;
• preparation of the Plan for identification and mitigation of pressures in the natural monument Cijvna River Canyon;
• the organization of two events on the topic of poaching and improving management in SP Canyon of the Cijevna River;
• Development of a Communication strategy for PA Cijevna River Canyon;
• Organizing training for implementation of Communication strategy;
• Organization of a four-day study visit to Slovenia with the aim of education locals about the benefits of sustainable fishing and the protection of fish species;
• promotion of the natural monument Kanon of the Cijevna River through the production of communication materials: brochure and videos.

The project is financially supported by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and BirdLIFE. CEPF is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan and the World Bank.