Instead, they want to see a sustainable fishery established, based on scientifically determined catch limits, increased restocking with fingerling trout, and effective policing of illegal fishing.
Senior World Bank agriculturalist Aleksandar Nacev said, "Once harvest levels have been determined, then the harvest regulations in both Albania and Macedonia must be harmonized to ensure these levels are achieved. Vigorous enforcement of appropriate regulations will also be necessary."
The other main threat to the lake's ecological stability is pollution.
The lake is currently described as oligotrophic, meaning its waters are clear and low in nutrients. But within ten years scientists fear it could become eutrophic (high in nutrients), leading to summer stagnation and dangerously low oxygen levels. This would radically alter the lake's ecology, wiping out many unique species, particularly its fish.
The chief source of pollution is untreated sewage produced by the burgeoning lakeside population. Now approaching 200,000 people, this growth has been accompanied by new hotels and other tourism development which has also damaged reed beds where the trout spawn.
Particularly Vulnerable
Ohrid is particularly vulnerable to pollution because of its depth and small number of connecting rivers. Fed largely by springs, its waters are replaced only every 60 years. With an estimated 150 tons of dissolved phosphorus entering the lake each year, new sewage treatment plants are urgently needed to avoid an ecological disaster.
"Estimates of the lake's phosphorus balance suggests its total load may be three to five times greater than it should be to keep the lake in an oligotrophic state," said Nacev.
While he says both the German and Swiss governments are funding work to upgrade sewerage systems in pollution hot spots, he added, "The magnitude of the conservation challenges necessitates a major expansion of the environmental mitigation investment program."
A popular tourist destination, Lake Ohrid could now lose its World Heritage status. UNESCO, the international body responsible for bestowing the status, is considering whether the accolade is still merited in light of its deteriorating condition.
This is despite $U.S. 4.2 million in World Bank funds being channeled into the Lake Ohrid Conservation Project over the last six years.
Avramoski said, "The LOPC attempted to act upon some sources of phosphorus pollution [including agricultural runoff] but at the moment the results of those actions are negligible compared to the amount of untreated sewage entering the lake."
Panovski agrees the project has achieved little so far in reducing pollution and illegal fishing, but he added, "Importantly, it's helped to get Albanians and Macedonians communicating again and sharing information for the first time in 60 years."
This has led to a joint agreement for protecting the lake and promoting sustainable development, due to be signed this fall. The agreement "acknowledges very explicitly that Lake Ohrid and its watershed constitutes a single ecosystem and must be managed jointly by all the jurisdictions in the watershed," Nacev said.
The agreement may represent the last chance to save Lake Ohrid's ancient ice age survivors, including its unique breed of trout.
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