BRUSNIK ISLAND
"This islet looks more then Moon than our planet, but underwater it turns into a vault full of natural miracles. Many divers and fishermen might claim it's probably the most exciting part of Adriatic, filled with lobsters, corals and fish"
The volcanic islet Brusnik is located 13 nautical miles from Komiža, and it is protected as a Natural monument. It is special because of its geological structure, and its plant and wildlife, including some endemic species.
Since the island is a protected area, it is forbidden to endanger the flora and fauna on the island in any way. Isolated and exposed to winds that blow constantly on the open sea, Brusnik is home only to the endemic plant by the name "Dubrovacka zecina" (Centaurea ragusina) and to the endemic reptile - black lizard. The waters around Brusnik are rich in fish. The hollow in the middle of the highest part splits the island in two parts. In the hollow there is a small valley with the submarine parts intersected with channels through which emerges the seawater to the surface. This phenomenon used the fishermen from Komiza as an advantage; they circled with stones some of the parts with the seawater, forming thus (this way) small basins for keeping lobsters, so called “jastozere”. Those jastozere were ideal for keeping the catch for several days, while they could continue fishing in the waters of Brusnik, during autumn and spring.
Even today you can see remains of the fishermen's housings, built with large volcanic pebbles.