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i Območje okrog Zambratijskega zaliva je zaradi arheoloških zakladov edinstvena destinacija za razi-
skovalce. Leta 2008 so bile odkrite nove arheološke najdbe, ki veljajo za prvovrstna arheološka odkritja.
Ključne besede: Zambratijski zaliv, območje posebnega upravljanja, arheološka odkritja, prazgodovinska 
poselitev, Prehistoric sewn boat, trajnostna raba, biološka študija, pilotni projekt
The area surrounding Zambratija Cove has been representing a unique destination for researchers due 
to its archaeological treasures. In 2008 new archaeological findings were discovered, which, as a result of 
its uniqueness, can be classified at the very top of archaeological discoveries. 
Keywords: Zambratija Cove, Special management zone, Archaeological discoveries, Prehistoric settle-
ment, Prehistoric sewn boat, Sustainable use, Biological study, Pilot project, Citizen survey
Opportunities and challeges of tourist valorization 
of Zambratija cove (Umag)
Ida Koncani Uhač, Archaeological Museum of Istria 
Neven Iveša, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula 
Danijela Mioković, Croatian Agricultural and Forestry Advisory Service 
Ana Žužić, Fisheries Local Action Group „Pinna nobilis“
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Introduction
Zambratija Cove is situated on the mild, low-lying north-western coast of the Is-trian peninsula. The cove is surrounded 
by the Sipar peninsula in the south and Crvena 
uvala in the north.
The rich cultural and historical heritage of 
this region has always attracted the attention of 
many researchers. Along with several archaeo-
logical sites, known in the wider area around 
Zambratija, in 2008 new archaeological find-
ings in the northern part of Zambratija Cove 
were discovered,1 which, as a result of its unique-
ness, can be classified at the very top of archaeo-
logical discoveries. Zambratija Cove has become 
a place of intense archaeological research since 
2008, especially after the discovery of prehistor-
ic sites.2 The archaeological discoveries from the 
underwater world and those found on land are 
1 Koncani Uhač, “Podvodna arheološka istraživanja,” 263–68.
2 Koncani Uhač, “Zambratija-uvala,” 396–97.
evidence of the rich history of the area, which 
has been inhabited since the early Copper Age, 
through the Roman period and the Middle Ages 
to the present.
The hidden treasure of Zambratija cove
One of the most significant sites is that of the 
remnants of a prehistoric settlement dated to the 
period from the late Neolithic to the early Eneo-
lithic (fifth to fourth millennia BCE). Preserved 
on the seabed are the remnants of prehistoric 
pile dwellings that were likely built in a marsh-
land valley near the open sea. The archaeological 
data collected in the course of excavation work 
at the site indicate that the prehistoric inhab-
itants of Zambratija lived in a community and 
that they were farmers, hunters and fishers. The 
plant and animal remains bear witness to their 
diverse diet and are indicative of cattle breeding. 
Potsherds from a variety of vessels were collected 
from the site of the prehistoric settlement along 
with flint and bone tools. Some of the forms of 
doi: ht t ps://doi .org/10. 26493/2350-54 43.5(1)83-95
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ware are from the Nakovana culture group and 
are characterised by fluted decoration from the 
early Copper Age, while other recovered pot­
sherds are from ware covering a broad range of 
dates from the early Copper Age to the dawn of 
the Bronze Age.3 Finds of Bronze Age ware re­
covered from the cove can be associated with the 
nearby Romanija hillfort.
Of interest are the results of the botanical 
analysis of the plants from the archaeological 
layers of the settlement, which indicate the pres­
ence of water plants in the archaeological layer 
that are characteristic of natural wet habitats, i.e. 
wet meadows. The geoarchaeological research 
conducted at the site last year will soon yield a 
clearer picture of the palaeo­landscape of this 
settlement. Some one thousand pile dwellings 
have been identified in the Alps, situated for the 
most part on the shores of lakes, in wetland areas 
or on rivers. The specificity of Zambratija in the 
group of sites of this kind is its present marine 
location; with this submerged settlement consti­
tuting a significant contribution to the study of 
Holocene sea levels. In Slovenia we find analo­
gies to the Zambratija site pile dwellings at the 
sites of settlements in the Ljubljana Marshes (site 
Ljubljansko barje).
The second prehistoric site in Zambrati­
ja Cove is that of the find of a sewn boat.4 The 
discovery in 2008 was followed by archaeologi­
cal excavation at the site of the sewn boat find 
that ran through to 2013. This was followed by 
post­site and laboratory research. The age of the 
Zambratija boat, determined using radiocar­
bon methods, dates its construction to the peri­
od from the thirteenth to tenth century BCE, 
i.e. at the transition from the Bronze to the Iron 
Age. Laboratory analysis of wood samples from 
the boat structure indicates the use of the wood 
of five different tree species. The boat builders 
used different kinds of wood in the construc­
tion, with the planks made of elm (Ulmus sp.), 
the ribs of alder (Alnus Mill.), the laths above 
3 Koncani Uhač and Čuka, “Doprinos,” 34–44.
4 Koncani Uhač and Uhač, ”Prapovijesni brod iz uvale Zambratija,” 
533–38.
the joints of the planks made of fir (Abies alba 
Mill.), and the treenails of poplar (Populus sp.).5 
An analysis of the boat’s architecture established 
that the Zambratija vessel is the oldest find of a 
sewn­built boat in the Mediterranean sphere.6 
Due to its design characteristics, build type and 
early date the Zambratija boat is considered an 
archetype in the sewn boat tradition of the Adri­
atic sphere.7 Its discovery provides a point of ref­
erence in the study of the origin and evolution of 
plank built boats in the Mediterranean and pro­
vides the first archaeological evidence of the role 
of the monoxylon in the development of plank 
built boats in the northern Mediterranean, and 
in particular in the northeast of the Adriatic 
Sea.8
An exhibition featuring “Zambratija: Pre­
historic Sewn Boat” opened in Pula in 2017, fol­
lowed by showings in 2018 in Zagreb, Šibenik 
and other venues. This traveling exhibition has 
as its objective to raise awareness in the special­
ist and broader public, and in particular among 
youth, of the find of this boat, the oldest Medi­
terranean specimen of its kind, in the waters of 
the Adriatic Sea. An effort has also been made to 
offer the broader public a tactile appreciation of 
the boat, to which end a reconstruction has been 
undertaken of a two by one metre section of the 
boat. The fabrication of the section of the boat 
through experimental archaeology has yield­
ed data on the method of its construction, with 
work on the reconstruction shown as a video to 
visitors of the exhibition. Joining the archaeolo­
gists in the fabrication of the boat section were 
members of the “Savudrijska batana – Batana 
salvorina” association. The work of this associa­
tion includes the fabrication of the batana boats 
specific to the micro­region. It all comes togeth­
er in a story that has some similarity in terms 
of shipbuilding with the Zambratija sewn boat. 
Also preserved from the rich period of Roman 
5 Ferreira Dominguez, Boetto, Guibal and Cenzon-Salvayre, 
“Wood analysis,” 60–64.
6 Koncani Uhač and Uhač, “La barca protostorica,” 29–33.
7 Koncani Uhač, Uhač and Boetto, “Il relitto,” 214–19.
8 Koncani Uhač, Boetto and Uhač, “Zambratija: Prapovijesni šivani 
brod;” Boetto, Koncani Uhač and Uhač, “Sewn ships,” 189–92.
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rule in Istria in the waters off Zambratija are the 
remnants of a former Roman road and struc­
tures that were built along the present day shal­
lows at Plič and Zanestra. The road was built on 
a natural limestone ridge running in the direc­
tion of the shoreline towards the west end of the 
cove. A very well preserved seventy­two­metre 
section of the road is the first known find of its 
kind in the waters surrounding Istria. It is hy­
pothesised that the cited shallows were once part 
of a single shoreline along which the now sub­
merged road ran, with a maritime villa site at 
the small harbour at Zambratija to the southeast 
side of the cove.
“Special management zone in Zambratija 
cove (Umag)” pilot project
The local population, members of the “Savudri­
jska batana – Batana salvorina” Sea and Cultur­
al Attractions Association, have recognized the 
cultural, historical and biological importance of 
the cove and the possibility of developing new 
tourist, cultural and educational products. At 
the initiative of the “Batana Salvorina” Associ­
ation, and with technical support from “Pinna 
nobilis” Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG), a 
pilot project entitled “Special Management zone 
in Zambratija Cove (Umag)” was developed. 
The pilot project was implemented from January 
to July of 2017 under Measure III.1. “Preparato­
ry Aid”, and it was co­founded by the European 
Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
The aim of the pilot project was to encour­
age discussion among all interested citizens, in 
particular among representatives of the fisheries 
sector, on the opportunities and challenges of es­
tablishing a special management zone in Zam­
bratija Cove due to its historical and potential 
tourist value. Within the framework of the pi­
lot project activities, a survey was conducted in­
volving the citizens of Umag and its surround­
ings. The project also included the organization 
of two workshops for representatives of the fish­
eries, tourism, culture and other sectors, as well 
as for interested members of the public. After 
the workshops, there was a consultation meet­
ing with representatives of the three sectors, fol­
lowed by the mapping and development of a bio­
logical study of Zambratija Cove and the public 
presentation of the pilot project’s results.
A citizen survey was conducted in order to 
examine how familiar citizens are with the ar­
chaeological findings, as well as to determine 
their opinion on initiating an evaluation of the 
aforementioned underwater cultural heritage. 
At the first workshop, participants were given 
information about project activities, and their 
attention was focused on the evaluation of the 
Zambratija Cove archaeological sites. At the sec­
ond workshop, participants were introduced to 
examples of best practice from special manage­
ment zones in Italy and Croatia.
Also, some practical work was included 
through group work on the topic of designing 
the long­term use of Zambratija Cove for fish­
ing, educational and tourism purposes. In addi­
tion to the workshops, a consultation was held 
with representatives of these three sectors from 
Umag, with the aim of gathering additional pro­
posals and initiatives for the evaluation of the 
cove, which were sent for further consideration 
in order to design the final development process 
of the cove. The mapping and biological study of 
the submarine area of Zambratija Cove was de­
veloped with the aim of proposing guidelines for 
future sustainable use and management, with an 
emphasis on strengthening educational, cultural 
and tourist capacities and further involving lo­
cal stakeholders in implementing development 
scenarios for the cove. The final, important pi­
lot project activity was the public presentation of 
the results.
Study of underwater communities 
in the Zambratija cove
The Biological Study of the Zambratija Cove was 
created for the purpose of the pilot project called 
“Special Management Zone in the Zambrati­
ja Cove” to determine the existing state of nat­
ural resources and to set recommendations for 
use, valorisation and management of the site, in­
cluding underwater archaeological heritage sites.
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For the purposes of this study, field research 
was conducted in Zambratija Cove during May, 
June and early July of 2017. The habitat and bi­
ocenoses were determined and the inventory of 
the associated flora and fauna was made.
It has been established that the following 
strictly protected species are present in the Zam­
bratija Cove: the bivalves Lithophaga lithophaga 
(Linnaeus, 1758), Pinna nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758) 
and Pholas dactylus (Linnaeus, 1758), the sponge 
Geodia cydonium (Linnaeus, 1767), the seagrass 
Cymodocea nodosa (Ascherson, 1870) and algae 
Cystoseira amantacea (Bory de Saint­Vincent, 
1832). Given the importance of these species in 
the trophic chain, these findings are proving the 
biological value of Zambratija Cove. The high 
abundance of bivalve Pinna nobilis is especially 
significant.
Underwater survey in Zambratija Cove has 
determined presence of 244 species, of which 2 
species of cyanobacteria, 3 plant species, 30 spe­
cies of algae, 158 species of invertebrates, 7 spe­
cies of tunicates and 44 fish species. The phylum 
Mollusca was represented with the highest num­
ber of taxa (56), while only one species from phy­
la Platyhelminthes and Sipuncula were found. 
Fish were represented with 15 families and fam­
ily Sparidae included the most species (11). The 
least represented were families Carangidae, Mo­
ronidae, Mullidae, Pomacentridae, Torpedin­
inae, Trachinidae and Triglidae, with only one 
species.
The effects of negative anthropogenic in­
fluences, such as degraded marine habitats, es­
pecially the mediolitoral and infralitoral, have 
also been reported. Different waste was com­
monly found in the infralitoral zone; packag­
ing plastics, glass and metal, rubber, fishing ma­
terial (rope, nets and signalling equipment) and 
bulky waste. In the shallow part of the cove 
and on the rocky ridge, the infralitoral rocks 
have been degraded by the illegal collection of 
date shells (Lithophaga lithophaga). The settle­
ments of infralitoral algae near the anthropog­
enised sea shore have been degraded to a lesser 
extent, while the entire area of strictly protected 
seaweed Cymodocea nodosa is almost complete­
ly ruined, partly due to fishing for bivalve mol­
luscs that live in the sand. Infralitoral biocenoses 
are also affected by presence of the sewage outlet 
that lets wastewater overflow in the conditions 
of large quantities of rainfall.9
Citizen survey results
One of the activities of the “Special Manage­
ment Zone in Zambratija Cove (Umag)” pilot 
project was a citizen survey, which was conduct­
ed in order to investigate citizens’ knowledge of 
the archaeological findings, as well as to deter­
mine their opinion on initiating the evaluation 
of the underwater cultural heritage discovered 
so far.
The survey was conducted using a survey 
questionnaire from February to April of 2017, 
covering a total of 101 respondents. All respond­
ents were familiar with the subject of the survey, 
as the purpose of the questionnaire was briefly 
described on the opening page. Data processing 
was performed automatically using the SELECT 
package within the SurveyMonkey online plat­
form, www.surveymonkey.com. The SELECT 
package allows the creation of survey question­
naires, the collection of respondents’ opinions 
online, the manual entry of responses, and the 
separate storage of each respondent’s question­
naire. The online platform recorded the respons­
es digitally, in percentages and average values, 
and presented them graphically, thus minimiz­
ing the possibility of researcher error.
Overview of selected suvey results
The data in charts 1 to 4 show the structure of re­
spondents, with variables showing the respond­
ents place of residence, age, gender and field of 
employment. 
It is apparent that more than 44% of the 
respondents live in the city of Umag, followed 
by respondents living in Zambratija (13.9%), 
Lovrečica (10.9%) and Bašanija (6.9%). Most re­
spondents belong to the age group from 26 to 
40 (40.6%) and from 41 to 55 (23.8%). A total of 
9 Iveša, Morska staništa u uvali Zambratija.
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Chart 2: Age structure of respondents (Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey plat-
form, www.surveymonkey.com)
Chart 1: Respondents’ place of residence (Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey plat-
form, www.surveymonkey.com)
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Chart 3: Gender structure of respondents (Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey plat-
form, www.surveymonkey.com)
Chart 4: Respondents’ field of employment (Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey 
platform, www.surveymonkey.com)
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57.7% men and 42.6% women participated in the 
survey. The survey included 28.7% of respond­
ents who work in the tourism sector, 17.8% from 
the fisheries sector, 12.9% from other economic 
sectors, and 6.9% from the city / municipal gov­
ernment and education sector. 
At the very beginning of the survey, it was 
important to determine whether the respond­
ents were aware of the fact that there was a flood­
ed prehistoric settlement and an ancient ship in 
Zambratija Cove, especially since informing cit­
izens of their own cultural heritage is part of the 
sustainable use of the cove. Chart 5 shows that 
40.6% of citizens are not fully informed about 
this data, while 59.4% of respondents are in­
formed. In addition, 57.4% of respondents be­
lieve that the underwater cultural heritage in 
Zambratija Cove has been insufficiently re­
searched, 22.8% think it has been partially re­
searched, and 19.8% think it has been sufficient­
ly researched (Chart 6).
Chart 7 shows that more than 90% of re­
spondents believe that the local communi­
ty, as well as the local tourism sector (which is 
the main source of income in the surveyed area) 
should develop specifically towards the sustain­
able use of both cultural and natural resources.
The results from charts 5, 6 and 7 indicate 
the need for greater information, education and 
strengthening of public awareness about the val­
ue of archaeological heritage as a bearer of identi­
ty, a sense of belonging, recognition and the po­
tential for sustainable use. They also point to the 
need to involve the public in the design of poten­
tial initiatives that will contribute to the sustain­
able use of cultural and natural wealth. The no­
tion of sustainability is quite common in public 
discourse today, and it is to be expected that cit­
izens believe their community should develop in 
accordance with the principles of sustainability.
It is, however, necessary to provide citizens 
with information on their own cultural and his­
torical heritage and to encourage their partic­
ipation in the creation and implementation of 
programmes to consolidate knowledge while si­
multaneously offering innovative content fo­
Chart 5: Citizens’ knowledge of the underwater cultural heritage in Zambratija Cove (Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG 
through SurveyMonkey online survey platform, www.surveymonkey.com)
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Chart 6: Citizens’ opinion of the current level of research of underwater cultural heritage in Zambratija Cove (Source: 
“Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey platform, www.surveymonkey.com)
Chart 7: Respondents’ opinions on whether the local community and local tourism sector should be developed in ac-
cordance with the sustainable use of cultural and natural goods (Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMon-
key online survey platform, www.surveymonkey.com)
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cused on sustainability. All this will ultimate­
ly contribute to an increase in knowledge and 
citizens’ level of awareness about archaeologi­
cal findings in Zambratija Cove, as well as an in­
crease in personal involvement in the creation of 
content, leading to greater recognition of the site 
and the sustainable development of the commu­
nity.
Furthermore, as many as 90.0% of respond­
ents strongly support the idea of creating an un­
derwater museum to present the cultural and 
natural wealth of the underwater area of Zam­
bratija Cove, as shown in chart 8. As many as 
80.2% of respondents support the establishment 
of a special management zone in Zambratija 
Cove for the purpose of developing a new prod­
uct based on the evaluation of cultural heritage 
and the biological features of the cove’s undersea 
habitat (Chart 10).
To sum up, Zambratija Cove represents a 
unique archaeological site due to the preserved 
remains of prehistoric houses, stilt houses, and 
a shipwreck. Such a locality should not remain 
closed to a limited circle of experts. It is neces­
sary to present the findings to the public and to 
make it possible to present the content discov­
ered and researched by the archaeological com­
munity with the help of local fishermen and 
divers. The results of the survey show that re­
spondents are only partially informed about un­
derwater archaeological heritage in Zambratija 
Cove.
They perceive the findings as abstract but 
important, although most of them still perceive 
it as something that is not of great importance to 
them, nor do they have a specific understanding 
of its significance (a fact that became especially 
apparent during workshops with fishermen as a 
part of the pilot project). This perception should 
be changed through active communication with 
fishermen, as well as with the general public, 
through their inclusion in the discovery, inter­
pretation and presentation of findings. This will 
allow the community to understand their own 
cultural identity, as well as the possible material 
potential of Zambratija Cove (e.g. tourism eco­
nomics, employment opportunities, etc.).
Chart 8: Citizens’ opinion about the creation of an underwater museum in Zambratija Cove (Source: “Pinna nobilis” 
FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey platform, www.surveymonkey.com)
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Chart 9: Respondents’ attitude towards a reduction in fishing pressure in Zambratija Cove in order to create an under-
water museum (Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey platform, www.surveymonkey.
com)
Chart 10: Respondents’ opinion about the establishment of a special management zone in Zambratija Cove in order to 
develop a new product based on the evaluation of cultural heritage and the biological features of the undersea habitat 
(Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey platform, www.surveymonkey.com)
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Respondents support the idea of creating an 
underwater museum that would present both the 
rich cultural heritage and biodiversity of Zam­
bratija’s undersea habitat. In order to make the 
underwater museum possible, the respondents 
would support a reduction in fishing pressure in 
Zambratija Cove, as well as the establishment of 
a special management zone. The term “special 
management zone” refers to a shared definition 
of ways and conditions in which to use, promote 
and protect the cove, while ensuring the econom­
ic viability of stakeholders who gravitate towards 
this area in a sustainable and innovative way. Ad­
ditionally, about 48% of respondents are willing 
to engage in the monitoring process that would 
allow the creation of the underwater museum 
and special management zone.
Sustainable use of natural resources 
in the Zambratija cove
Due to its low depth, the cove is extremely suit­
able for water sports and educational activities. 
In an ideal combination of sports and educa­
tion, visitors can go snorkeling, diving or row­
ing in traditional boats called batana with a glass 
bottom, and they will discover underwater nat­
ural and archeological treasures. By interpreting 
biological values through an underwater educa­
tional trail, it would be possible to develop sus­
tainable forms of tourism. Such an underwater 
trail would consist of educational panels that 
would encourage divers to explore the underwa­
ter world. The educational role could be supple­
mented by the construction of a museum with 
an aquarium exhibition to bring the underwa­
ter world closer to those who are unable to go 
diving and also to provide additional offer out­
side the main tourist season. It is recommend­
ed to also establish educational panels along the 
coast and organize educational programs and 
field teaching for children and students in co­
operation with pedagogical institutions, associ­
ations and other institutions. An info­center for 
sharing brochures and printed materials inform­
Chart 11: Respondents’ willingness to get involved in the process of monitoring the proposed underwater museum and 
special management zone (Source: “Pinna nobilis” FLAG through SurveyMonkey online survey platform, www.sur-
veymonkey.com)
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94
ing on the natural and cultural values of the cove 
could be built. It is extremely important to ed­
ucate local people through targeted education­
al programs since they are mostly employed in 
tourism activities and engage in daily contact 
with visitors.
In order to prevent the further degradation 
of the habitat and the species Lithophaga lithop-
haga, the competent institutions must intensify 
the surveillance of the area and take all available 
measures to prevent destruction. It is especial­
ly important to emphasize that when the local 
population becomes aware of the cove area value, 
themselves will become its best guardians.
In conclusion, the implementation of the 
“Pinna nobilis” FLAG and “Batana salvorina” 
pilot project is intended to enable representa­
tives of the fisheries sector and other interested 
citizens to actively participate in the process of 
considering possible development scenarios for 
the cove because of its archaeological and bio­
logical specificities. During the implementation 
of the pilot project, it was important to provide 
a stimulating environment in which to propose 
different ideas for the development of Zambrati­
ja Cove. It was also important to develop ide­
as that would interest the local fishermen. The 
guideline was the fact that the area of  the archae­
ological site in Zambratija is shallow, up to 3m 
deep, and is suitable for snorkelling. Fishermen 
who are interested in the development of fish­
ing tourism would surely find economic benefit 
in this, and with the appropriate knowledge and 
skills, they would be able to diversify their sourc­
es of income.10
Povzetek
Območje okrog Zambratijskega zaliva je zaradi arhe-
oloških zakladov edinstvena destinacija za raziskoval-
ce. Leta 2008 so bile odkrite nove arheološke najdbe, ki 
veljajo za prvovrstna arheolopka odkritja. Lokalni pre-
bivalci, člani društva za morske in kulturne znameni-
tosti »Savudrijska batana – Batana salvorina«, se zave-
dajo kulturnega, zgodovinskega in biološkega pomena 
10 Iveša, Morska staništa u uvali Zambratija; Koncani Uhač, Iveša, Žužić 
and Knežević, Zona posebnog upravljanja u uvali Zambratija.
zaliva in vseh možnosti razvoja nove turistične, kultur-
ne in izobraževalne ponudbe, zato so s podporo lokalne 
ribiške iniciative »Pinna nobilis« zagnali pilotni projekt 
»Posebno področje upravljanja v Zambratijskem zalivu 
(Umag)«.
Med trajanjem projekta je potekala študija podvodnih 
ekosistemov v Zambratijskem zalivu, oblikovane pa so 
bile tudi smernice za trajnostno rabo lokalnih naravnih 
virov. Turistična valorizacija je za lokalne prebivalce še 
vedno izziv, od toda pa tudi izvira potreba po spodbu-
janju lokalnih prebivalcev k aktivnemu sodelovanju pri 
oblikovanju scenarijev razvoja zaliva, ki je v arheološkem 
in biotskem pomenu posebnost.
Summary
The area surrounding Zambratija Cove has been repre-
senting a unique destination for researchers due to its ar-
chaeological treasures. In 2008 new archaeological find-
ings were discovered, which, as a result of its uniqueness, 
can be classified at the very top of archaeological discov-
eries. 
The local population, members of the “Savudrijska bat-
ana – Batana salvorina” Sea and Cultural Attractions 
Association, have recognized the cultural, historical 
and biological importance of the cove and the possibil-
ity of developing a new tourist, cultural and education-
al offer. With the technical support from “Pinna nobilis” 
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG), the pilot pro-
ject entitled “Special Management zone in Zambratija 
Cove (Umag)” was developed. 
Within the pilot project, a study of underwater com-
munities in the Zambratija Cove was conducted, along 
with some guidelines for the sustainable use of natural 
resources in the area. Tourist valorisation is still a chal-
lenge for the inhabitants of the Zambratija area, there-
fore the need to encourage citizens to actively partici-
pate in the process of considering possible development 
scenarios of the cove because of its archaeological and 
biological specificities.
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