Dalmatia

The Adriatic coast and islands of southern Croatia, one of the Mediterranean's great sardine and anchovy grounds. The clear, plankton-rich Adriatic yields sardines regarded among the finest anywhere. Island canneries carry a tradition more than a century old: Mardešić, founded in 1905 on the island of Dugi Otok at Sali, is the oldest island fish factory in Croatia and now works in partnership with France's Chancerelle; Sardina, on the island of Brač at Postira, is another historic Dalmatian producer; Adriatic Queen continues the same craft. Sardines and anchovies in oil are the defining products.