Stocks status of commercially important fish species in Adriatic Sea exploited by Croatia fishing fleet are monitored throughout few monitoring programs like monitoring of commercial catches and two scientific surveys (MEDITS – demersal stocks, MEDIAS – pelagic stocks). After entering the EU, Croatia has established monitoring program which is in accordance with the Data Collection Framework (DCF). DCF program ensure collection of data which are needful for adequate description of descriptor 3. However, bearing in mind the fact that fishing in the Adriatic Sea is based on harvesting young specimens (most of the catches are consistent of young specimens - 1, 2 and 3 years old), it is of great importance to monitor the intensity of recruitment, which is essential for enlargement of available renewable resources. Therefore monitoring of spawning and nursery areas of commercially important species that inhabit demersal, pelagic and coastal areas is of great importance. The main objectives of this preliminary monitoring project was to define those previously mentioned sensitive areas in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea (cover by Croatian fishing fleet) and to develop appropriate methodology for future monitoring. Namely, future monitoring should ensure collection of some additional data on commercially important species collected in their spawning and nursery areas which put together with the data collected by DCF will provide establishment of adequate levels of recruitment that will lead to long-term sustainable fisheries.