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FUSHE-KUQE & PATOK
Location:
Rodoni bay, which includes this wetland area, starts north of the mouth of Drini river and ends south
at the basis of Rodoni cape. The coastline is about 8 km long. The northern part (6 km) of the area is
located in the District of Lai and the southern part (2 km) in the District of Durrsi. Patok lagoon is
comprised in the Fushe-Kuqe commune, located in the administrative area of Kurbin district and
comprises 5 villages: Adriatic, Patok, Gorre, Gurrez and Fushe-Kuqe.
Physical features:
This part of the coastline is sandy, with numerous signs of erosion and frequent changes in the
position of the coastline. Patok lagoon seems to be more affected since the dunal shoreline has locally
disappeared; a recently built holiday village is now in the sea. Southwards, a newly accreting offshore
sand bank is protruding from the river mouth parallel to the coast. The dynamism of the Mati river
mouth (mostly related to anthropogenic activities) is partly responsible for changes in the lagoon. The
Ishm river mouth is a brackish area of saltmarshes, lagoons and sand-beaches, separated from the sea
by a sand bank.
Geology:
The area encloses only recent sediments brought by Mati River from mountainous catchments and
characterized by alluvium of rivers and by ophiolithic sands and shingles.
Marine environment:
Marine sediments are composed of fine sand. Among macrophyt algae species, Fucus virsoides, can
be found in the area. Posidonia oceanica meadows extend and a Penaeus kerathurus population is
reported. A lot of crustacean decapods species are found in the area such as Gennadas elegans,
Solenocera membranacea, Penaeus trisulcatus, Sicyonia carinata, Lucifer typus, Athanas nitescens,
Crangon crangon, Paguristes eremita, etc. In the seacoast the following fishes are found: common
stingray, angelshark, spotted torpedo, annular sea bream, atlantic horse mackerel, leerfish, red mullet
and mediterranean killifish.
Wetland environment:
The lagoon of Patoku and the surrounded area covers about 400 ha and is separated in two parts by a
dyke on which is built a road. The northern part named Patok i vjeter resembles more a gulf, almost
closed by a sand bar. The southern part is artificially communicating with the sea. The recent offshore
sand bank of alluvial deposits is exceptionally rich in terms of biomass and hosts a great number of
waders. The halophyte vegetation of the lagoon of Patoku encompasses the following associations:
Cakilo-Xanthietum italici, Salicornietum europeae, Arthrocnemetum glauci, Agropyretum
mediterraneum, Juncetum maritini, Scirpetum maritini and Phragmitetum communis. The algae found
in the lagoon are mainly Zostera noltii. The main crustacean decapods sampled in the area are
Gennadas elegans, Solenocera membranacea, Penaeus trisulcatus, Sicyonia carinata, Sergestes
arcticus, Lucifer typus. The fish found in the lagoon are flathead mullet, thinlip mullet, leaping mullet,
European sea bass, scald fish and imperial scald fish. The high biodiversity of the saltmarshes in this
area represents a reservoir for migratory waterfowl and waders. Herons, pelicans and cormorants and
other species have been seen. Fox and marten have also been reported in Fushe Kuqe Reserve.
Terrestrial environment:
The area is a natural reserve (presently 800 hectares), mainly composed of common alder, white
poplar, ash, elder, willow, oak and replanted Aleppo pine, and has been reduced (4200 ha) by the
drainage of the area. During the winter the sandy areas and the grassland are inundated and are an
optimal habitat for migratory waterfowl. The coastal vegetation is made of associations of
Mediterranean Ageopyretum characterized bysand couch grass, beach galingale, sand sporobolus
cotton weed, three-horned stock and sea bindweed. There are also associations of Salicornietum
fructicosae, Arthrocnemetum glauci, Salicornictum radicentis, S. europacea, Juncetum maritimi,
Limonietus vulgare, Juncetum acuti and Schoeneto-Plataginetum crassifoliae. The basin include 450
ha farmed lands and 200 ha forests.
Human activities:

Rural population is relatively scattered with an average of less than fifty inhabitants per km2. The
reclaimed land is farmed. Artesian wells are localized. Fisheries are relatively important in the
wetland and on the coast line; traditional forms of fishing are present in the lagoon. Touristic
accommodation in Fushe Kuqe and Patok area are relatively new and the older needs to be renovated
to function again (restaurants are operative and relatively busy in season).
Potentialities:
This area is suitable for touristic adventure (woodland and wetland). The presence of curlews and of
the Dalmatian pelicans makes it an international priority area in wetland conservation. Illegal hunting
and fishing are reported. Increasing local touristic pressure on the offshore sandbank and the lagoons
are impacting upon the environment and the resources.
Present protection/conservation status:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration, through the Lai Forestry Service
Directorate is responsible for the management of the area. The area had been designated 1962 as
Nature Management Reserve by order of Minster of Agriculture.