Special Protection Areas
Special Protection Areas
One of the most important measures to protect terrestrial and marine biodiversity is to declare Marine Protected Areas. Turkey is surrounded by four different seas: the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. There are very few marine protected areas along the Turkish coast, and these countries need more marine protected areas to protect their unique marine ecosystems.
Current Situation
In the Black Sea, eutrophication is occurring primarily due to the Danube River, ship pollution, overfishing, and invasive species, endangering marine biodiversity. While there are no marine protected areas in the Turkish Black Sea, two areas are slated for designation as protected areas according to the Black Sea Strategy Action Plan 1998. Unfortunately, these two proposed areas are still under significant pressure from human activities. The establishment of marine protected areas in Black Sea countries is a priority for in-situ conservation. Zernov Phillophora deposits are decreasing daily. Mediterranean monk seals are losing their habitats, sturgeon are facing extinction, and turbot stocks are declining. Finally, the Black Sea is under great threat. Marine Protected Areas are needed to stop these threats, and joint action is essential for saving the Black Sea.
For both the Marmara and Black Seas, the Marmara Sea serves as a unique biological corridor. The Marmara Sea is home to 52 marine species, including Mediterranean monk seals, which are listed in the Red Data Book. It is also a spawning ground for many migratory species. These migratory species are particularly endangered due to overfishing, pollution, and ship traffic. Consequently, some parts of the Marmara Sea should be declared sensitive marine areas under IMO/MEPC regulations.
The Aegean Sea forms part of the Mediterranean and is significant due to its islands and islets. It contains two marine parks. The Foça Pilot Project aims to protect Mediterranean monk seals, and the Gökçeada Marine Park aims to protect areas with rich biodiversity. Despite being declared protected areas, they face many different threats, including fishing and pollution.
In the Turkish part of the Mediterranean, swordfish and tuna stocks are declining due to overfishing. Turkey, in cooperation with other neighboring countries, should declare protected areas in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas to protect highly migratory species and large migratory pelagic animals. This might help protect some stocks. Without such conservation efforts, species migrating from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea or vice versa could become endangered.
In the future
Due to a lack of experience in protected areas, Turkish authorities should utilize the expertise of specialists from abroad. Turkey has signed a protocol on specially protected areas and biodiversity in the Mediterranean, but this protocol has not yet been fully implemented.
The Mediterranean Sea constitutes only 0.8% of the world's oceans, but it is home to 8-9% of the world's marine mammals. This makes the Mediterranean a richly biodiverse ecosystem. Therefore, more marine areas should be declared protected zones to safeguard fish and other living resources in this unique ecosystem. This concept must be embraced by decision-makers and politicians, and this unique ecosystem must be protected.
Bayram ÖZTÜRK
Faculty of Fisheries, Istanbul University. Ordu Cad. No:200. Laleli, Istanbul-Turkey
and TUDAV. PK10. Beykoz-Istanbul.
One of the most important measures to protect terrestrial and marine biodiversity is to declare Marine Protected Areas. Turkey is surrounded by four different seas: the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish seas are very rich in biodiversity: 300 fish species live in the Black Sea, 200 in the Marmara Sea, 300 in the Aegean Sea, and 400 in the Mediterranean Sea.
In the Black Sea, eutrophication is occurring, primarily due to the Danube River, ship pollution, overfishing, and invasive species, endangering marine biodiversity. There are no marine protected areas in the Turkish Black Sea. The Bucharest Congress is an important institution for the conservation of the Black Sea.
Türkiye has protected forest areas along its Black Sea coast. Unfortunately, however, only two marine protected areas are planned to be established. These are the Prebosphoric Marine Protected Area near the Bosphorus and the Doğanyurt-Cide Marine Protected Area, which are important for the Mediterranean monk seal and the otter (Öztürk, 1998).
The Sea of ??Marmara is a small inland sea in Türkiye. It contains two important straits: the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. These two straits are of great importance to the biodiversity of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea due to their function as biological corridors. The Sea of ??Marmara is affected by pollution originating from the Black Sea. However, ship-related pollution is of significant importance to this sea. Many bays in the Bosphorus are negatively impacted by pollution and ship accidents. 52 marine species, including Mediterranean monk seals, are listed in the Red Data Book. The Sea of ??Marmara is a spawning ground for many pelagic migratory species, and the establishment of a Special Protection Area for these areas is under discussion.
The Aegean Sea forms part of the Mediterranean Sea and is home to many islands and islets. This area is ecologically sensitive for several reasons, such as the isolation of the islands from each other, endemism, its relationship with the Black Sea, the gene pool of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, etc. At the same time, this sea contains many microhabitats essential for numerous species, and these species are of great importance in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem (Öztürk and Öztürk, 2003).
Gökçeada, located in the Aegean Sea, was declared a Marine Protected Area in 1999 with the aim of conserving its rich habitat diversity. Gökçeada is the largest island in Türkiye's Aegean Sea, and its coasts are very rich in biodiversity. Endemic seagrass, Posidona oceanica, 34 species of sponges, 17 species of cephalopods, 144 species of fish, 8 species of cetaceans, the critically endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal, and the endangered Caretta caretta sea turtle are all found on Gökçeada (Öztürk, 2003). Before the area was declared a protected area, the biggest threats were unsustainable fishing and uncontrolled tourism. Illegal diving and night fishing endangered the region. Due to the absence of a coast guard vessel on the island, controls were not possible, and fishermen were unaware of the necessary methods and the importance of biodiversity conservation. Declaring protected areas is not among the government's priorities.
The area between Yıldız Bay and Yelken Rocks has been declared a protected area. The area stretches along the coast, covers a 1nm area, and is 200 meters wide. The total area of ??the park is 37 hectares. It was officially declared a marine protected area on February 21, 1999, with its publication in the Official Gazette, and all fishing activities, diving, and marine traffic are prohibited. The park consists of a core area and two buffer zones. Scientific research is conducted in the park, and detailed seabed mapping and inventory studies are being carried out.
In the Aegean Sea, Foça was declared a special marine protected area in 1991 to protect Mediterranean monk seals. This area covers a 3 nautical mile stretch from Aslan Burnu to Deveboynu. Many activities, such as diving and fishing, are prohibited in the area. Foça is one of the historically important Mediterranean monk seal habitats in Türkiye's Aegean Sea (Öztürk and Dede 1995), and sightings of Mediterranean monk seals are decreasing. This area is protected by the Foça Municipality.
The Bozyazı region has been declared a regional marine protected area for the conservation of Mediterranean Monk Seals in the Mediterranean Sea. Critically endangered Mediterranean Monk Seals are found in this area, with two caves being particularly significant, and 11 pups were born there in 1995. All fishing and maritime traffic are prohibited in this area, and this decision is enforced by local authorities and some NGOs in the region. Scientific studies in the area are conducted by METU (Middle East Technical University). Educational campaigns have also been initiated by NGOs.
In conclusion, Türkiye lacks more marine protected areas in the Black Sea region, and according to the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan 1998, two more are planned to be established. However, unfortunately, these two proposed areas face the negative impacts of human activities.
The Sea of ??Marmara is a unique biological corridor for both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Migratory species are highly affected by overfishing, pollution, and ship traffic. As a result, studies are underway to declare certain areas of the Sea of ??Marmara as sensitive marine areas.
Türkiye's implementation of marine protected areas in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas is not evenly distributed. In the case of Bozyazı and Foça, marine protected areas focus on a single species: the Mediterranean Monk Seal. Practices are more practical, species-focused, and rely on strengthening infrastructure such as personnel, conservation plans, and scientific observations. Foça has a global management plan, while Bozyazı no longer does.
Gökçeada is a unique example for habitat and species conservation in the Aegean Sea, and a management plan has been prepared for the next five years. Regional planning has already been completed, and scientific observation studies are ongoing along with public awareness campaigns. These studies are supported by the local government and TUDAV (Turkish Foundation for Environmental Protection and Conservation).
The main threats to marine protected areas in Türkiye are fishing and pollution. In addition, existing economic difficulties for fishermen are a major obstacle to cooperation between fishermen and conservation projects. From a management perspective, due to a lack of experience in the field, Turkish authorities need experts from abroad. Turkey has already signed a protocol focusing on special protected areas and biodiversity in the Mediterranean. However, the implementation of this protocol is not at a sufficient level.
For many reasons, there is no regulation covering the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the high seas in the international waters of the Mediterranean. This situation causes many management problems in the region, and problems in the high seas are increasing day by day due to the mismanagement of swordfish, cetacean species, and tuna. Tuna is the only species managed under the ICCAT quota system. Swordfish stocks are dwindling, and cetaceans are getting caught in nets.
From one perspective, although there are regional organizations in the Mediterranean such as GFCM and ICCAT, there is no suitable management tool to improve sustainable fisheries when it comes to highly migratory and transient large pelagic species.
In the Turkish part of the Mediterranean, swordfish and tuna stocks are steadily declining due to overfishing, and for this reason, Turkey must declare certain areas in the open seas of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas as marine protected areas in cooperation with other neighboring countries to protect highly migratory species and large pelagic species. This action could potentially lead to a resurgence in stocks for migratory pelagic fish in both the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Without such conservation efforts, it is very difficult to protect species migrating from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
The Mediterranean Sea constitutes only 0.8% of the world's oceans, but it is home to 8-9% of the world's marine mammals. This makes the Mediterranean a richly biodiverse ecosystem. Therefore, more marine areas should be declared as protected zones to safeguard fish and other living resources in this unique ecosystem. This concept must be embraced by decision-makers and politicians, and we need to act immediately to protect this unique ecosystem.
Areas need to be identified for pilot marine protected areas, and a working group should be established within the Barcelona System.
REFERENCESÖztürk, 1998. Black Sea Biological Diversity. Environmental Series, Vol, 9 p.144. UN Publications. New York.
Öztürk, B., Öztürk, AA 2003. Environmental Problems of the Aegean Sea. The Stockholm Declaration and Law of the Marine Environment. pages 359-366. MH Nordquist .J .N. Moore, S. Mahmudi. (Eds.) Kluwer law Int. Netherland.
Öztürk, B., Dede, A. 1995. Present status of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, Monachus monachus (Hermann,1779) on the coasts of Foça in the Bay of İzmir (Aegean Sea). Turkish JM Sci., 1(2/3): 95-107.
Tudela, S. 2003. Tuna farming in the Mediterranean: 'The coup de Grace' to a dwinding population. Workshop on Farming, Management and Conservation of Bluefin Tuna. pp 53-66. Istanbul. TUDAV publ: 13. Turkey.
Öztürk, B. 2003. Gökçeada Letters. Gökçeada Municipality Book. p. 151-156. İstanbul.
One of the most important measures to protect terrestrial and marine biodiversity is to declare Marine Protected Areas. Turkey is surrounded by four different seas: the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. There are very few marine protected areas along the Turkish coast, and these countries need more marine protected areas to protect their unique marine ecosystems.
Current Situation
In the Black Sea, eutrophication is occurring primarily due to the Danube River, ship pollution, overfishing, and invasive species, endangering marine biodiversity. While there are no marine protected areas in the Turkish Black Sea, two areas are slated for designation as protected areas according to the Black Sea Strategy Action Plan 1998. Unfortunately, these two proposed areas are still under significant pressure from human activities. The establishment of marine protected areas in Black Sea countries is a priority for in-situ conservation. Zernov Phillophora deposits are decreasing daily. Mediterranean monk seals are losing their habitats, sturgeon are facing extinction, and turbot stocks are declining. Finally, the Black Sea is under great threat. Marine Protected Areas are needed to stop these threats, and joint action is essential for saving the Black Sea.
For both the Marmara and Black Seas, the Marmara Sea serves as a unique biological corridor. The Marmara Sea is home to 52 marine species, including Mediterranean monk seals, which are listed in the Red Data Book. It is also a spawning ground for many migratory species. These migratory species are particularly endangered due to overfishing, pollution, and ship traffic. Consequently, some parts of the Marmara Sea should be declared sensitive marine areas under IMO/MEPC regulations.
The Aegean Sea forms part of the Mediterranean and is significant due to its islands and islets. It contains two marine parks. The Foça Pilot Project aims to protect Mediterranean monk seals, and the Gökçeada Marine Park aims to protect areas with rich biodiversity. Despite being declared protected areas, they face many different threats, including fishing and pollution.
In the Turkish part of the Mediterranean, swordfish and tuna stocks are declining due to overfishing. Turkey, in cooperation with other neighboring countries, should declare protected areas in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas to protect highly migratory species and large migratory pelagic animals. This might help protect some stocks. Without such conservation efforts, species migrating from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea or vice versa could become endangered.
In the future
Due to a lack of experience in protected areas, Turkish authorities should utilize the expertise of specialists from abroad. Turkey has signed a protocol on specially protected areas and biodiversity in the Mediterranean, but this protocol has not yet been fully implemented.
The Mediterranean Sea constitutes only 0.8% of the world's oceans, but it is home to 8-9% of the world's marine mammals. This makes the Mediterranean a richly biodiverse ecosystem. Therefore, more marine areas should be declared protected zones to safeguard fish and other living resources in this unique ecosystem. This concept must be embraced by decision-makers and politicians, and this unique ecosystem must be protected.
Bayram ÖZTÜRK
Faculty of Fisheries, Istanbul University. Ordu Cad. No:200. Laleli, Istanbul-Turkey
and TUDAV. PK10. Beykoz-Istanbul.
One of the most important measures to protect terrestrial and marine biodiversity is to declare Marine Protected Areas. Turkey is surrounded by four different seas: the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Turkish seas are very rich in biodiversity: 300 fish species live in the Black Sea, 200 in the Marmara Sea, 300 in the Aegean Sea, and 400 in the Mediterranean Sea.
In the Black Sea, eutrophication is occurring, primarily due to the Danube River, ship pollution, overfishing, and invasive species, endangering marine biodiversity. There are no marine protected areas in the Turkish Black Sea. The Bucharest Congress is an important institution for the conservation of the Black Sea.
Türkiye has protected forest areas along its Black Sea coast. Unfortunately, however, only two marine protected areas are planned to be established. These are the Prebosphoric Marine Protected Area near the Bosphorus and the Doğanyurt-Cide Marine Protected Area, which are important for the Mediterranean monk seal and the otter (Öztürk, 1998).
The Sea of ??Marmara is a small inland sea in Türkiye. It contains two important straits: the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. These two straits are of great importance to the biodiversity of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea due to their function as biological corridors. The Sea of ??Marmara is affected by pollution originating from the Black Sea. However, ship-related pollution is of significant importance to this sea. Many bays in the Bosphorus are negatively impacted by pollution and ship accidents. 52 marine species, including Mediterranean monk seals, are listed in the Red Data Book. The Sea of ??Marmara is a spawning ground for many pelagic migratory species, and the establishment of a Special Protection Area for these areas is under discussion.
The Aegean Sea forms part of the Mediterranean Sea and is home to many islands and islets. This area is ecologically sensitive for several reasons, such as the isolation of the islands from each other, endemism, its relationship with the Black Sea, the gene pool of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, etc. At the same time, this sea contains many microhabitats essential for numerous species, and these species are of great importance in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem (Öztürk and Öztürk, 2003).
Gökçeada, located in the Aegean Sea, was declared a Marine Protected Area in 1999 with the aim of conserving its rich habitat diversity. Gökçeada is the largest island in Türkiye's Aegean Sea, and its coasts are very rich in biodiversity. Endemic seagrass, Posidona oceanica, 34 species of sponges, 17 species of cephalopods, 144 species of fish, 8 species of cetaceans, the critically endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal, and the endangered Caretta caretta sea turtle are all found on Gökçeada (Öztürk, 2003). Before the area was declared a protected area, the biggest threats were unsustainable fishing and uncontrolled tourism. Illegal diving and night fishing endangered the region. Due to the absence of a coast guard vessel on the island, controls were not possible, and fishermen were unaware of the necessary methods and the importance of biodiversity conservation. Declaring protected areas is not among the government's priorities.
The area between Yıldız Bay and Yelken Rocks has been declared a protected area. The area stretches along the coast, covers a 1nm area, and is 200 meters wide. The total area of ??the park is 37 hectares. It was officially declared a marine protected area on February 21, 1999, with its publication in the Official Gazette, and all fishing activities, diving, and marine traffic are prohibited. The park consists of a core area and two buffer zones. Scientific research is conducted in the park, and detailed seabed mapping and inventory studies are being carried out.
In the Aegean Sea, Foça was declared a special marine protected area in 1991 to protect Mediterranean monk seals. This area covers a 3 nautical mile stretch from Aslan Burnu to Deveboynu. Many activities, such as diving and fishing, are prohibited in the area. Foça is one of the historically important Mediterranean monk seal habitats in Türkiye's Aegean Sea (Öztürk and Dede 1995), and sightings of Mediterranean monk seals are decreasing. This area is protected by the Foça Municipality.
The Bozyazı region has been declared a regional marine protected area for the conservation of Mediterranean Monk Seals in the Mediterranean Sea. Critically endangered Mediterranean Monk Seals are found in this area, with two caves being particularly significant, and 11 pups were born there in 1995. All fishing and maritime traffic are prohibited in this area, and this decision is enforced by local authorities and some NGOs in the region. Scientific studies in the area are conducted by METU (Middle East Technical University). Educational campaigns have also been initiated by NGOs.
In conclusion, Türkiye lacks more marine protected areas in the Black Sea region, and according to the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan 1998, two more are planned to be established. However, unfortunately, these two proposed areas face the negative impacts of human activities.
The Sea of ??Marmara is a unique biological corridor for both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Migratory species are highly affected by overfishing, pollution, and ship traffic. As a result, studies are underway to declare certain areas of the Sea of ??Marmara as sensitive marine areas.
Türkiye's implementation of marine protected areas in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas is not evenly distributed. In the case of Bozyazı and Foça, marine protected areas focus on a single species: the Mediterranean Monk Seal. Practices are more practical, species-focused, and rely on strengthening infrastructure such as personnel, conservation plans, and scientific observations. Foça has a global management plan, while Bozyazı no longer does.
Gökçeada is a unique example for habitat and species conservation in the Aegean Sea, and a management plan has been prepared for the next five years. Regional planning has already been completed, and scientific observation studies are ongoing along with public awareness campaigns. These studies are supported by the local government and TUDAV (Turkish Foundation for Environmental Protection and Conservation).
The main threats to marine protected areas in Türkiye are fishing and pollution. In addition, existing economic difficulties for fishermen are a major obstacle to cooperation between fishermen and conservation projects. From a management perspective, due to a lack of experience in the field, Turkish authorities need experts from abroad. Turkey has already signed a protocol focusing on special protected areas and biodiversity in the Mediterranean. However, the implementation of this protocol is not at a sufficient level.
For many reasons, there is no regulation covering the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the high seas in the international waters of the Mediterranean. This situation causes many management problems in the region, and problems in the high seas are increasing day by day due to the mismanagement of swordfish, cetacean species, and tuna. Tuna is the only species managed under the ICCAT quota system. Swordfish stocks are dwindling, and cetaceans are getting caught in nets.
From one perspective, although there are regional organizations in the Mediterranean such as GFCM and ICCAT, there is no suitable management tool to improve sustainable fisheries when it comes to highly migratory and transient large pelagic species.
In the Turkish part of the Mediterranean, swordfish and tuna stocks are steadily declining due to overfishing, and for this reason, Turkey must declare certain areas in the open seas of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas as marine protected areas in cooperation with other neighboring countries to protect highly migratory species and large pelagic species. This action could potentially lead to a resurgence in stocks for migratory pelagic fish in both the Mediterranean and the Aegean. Without such conservation efforts, it is very difficult to protect species migrating from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
The Mediterranean Sea constitutes only 0.8% of the world's oceans, but it is home to 8-9% of the world's marine mammals. This makes the Mediterranean a richly biodiverse ecosystem. Therefore, more marine areas should be declared as protected zones to safeguard fish and other living resources in this unique ecosystem. This concept must be embraced by decision-makers and politicians, and we need to act immediately to protect this unique ecosystem.
Areas need to be identified for pilot marine protected areas, and a working group should be established within the Barcelona System.
REFERENCESÖztürk, 1998. Black Sea Biological Diversity. Environmental Series, Vol, 9 p.144. UN Publications. New York.
Öztürk, B., Öztürk, AA 2003. Environmental Problems of the Aegean Sea. The Stockholm Declaration and Law of the Marine Environment. pages 359-366. MH Nordquist .J .N. Moore, S. Mahmudi. (Eds.) Kluwer law Int. Netherland.
Öztürk, B., Dede, A. 1995. Present status of the Mediterranean Monk Seal, Monachus monachus (Hermann,1779) on the coasts of Foça in the Bay of İzmir (Aegean Sea). Turkish JM Sci., 1(2/3): 95-107.
Tudela, S. 2003. Tuna farming in the Mediterranean: 'The coup de Grace' to a dwinding population. Workshop on Farming, Management and Conservation of Bluefin Tuna. pp 53-66. Istanbul. TUDAV publ: 13. Turkey.
Öztürk, B. 2003. Gökçeada Letters. Gökçeada Municipality Book. p. 151-156. İstanbul.
