Turkey: Support for a conservation leader

The resources and expertise required to enforce protection in marine reserves are often lacking, which leaves Turkey’s waters vulnerable to overfishing, overdevelopment, and tourism.  The country also has a problem with invasive species such as lionfish, rabbitfish and pufferfish, which come up from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing makes life easier for the invasives, as their predators are themselves overfished. 

Working closely with local partners the Mediterranean Conservation Society, Blue Marine has produced a management plan that links a network of six MPA sites and fishing communities, running east from Gӧkova Bay. Artisanal fishers here are being actively engaged in the management of their fishing grounds.  

As well as maintaining and increasing enforcement, regular sorties by Blue Marine’s patrol boat identify and record incidences of IUU fishing, and report their findings to the coastguard.  In 2024, Blue Marine helped establish a new ranger station in Orhaniye, contributing to 1,400 patrols over 27,000 km of coastline, which detected 268 illegal fishing incidents. Around 4.5 tonnes of invasive fish was bought from fishers and sold to restaurants, supporting local economies and conserving biodiversity. Community education sessions reached 1,500 students and 2.5 tonnes of nets and plastics was removed from the ocean.    

Blue Marine has also used film to show the ecological and socio-economic benefits of the MPA network, and strengthen enforcement of no-fishing zones. Looking forward, we aim to install demarcation poles in no-fishing zones, begin patrols in new MPAs at Söğüt and Bozburun, and produce more targeted shorter films to inspire others to designate highly protected, community-managed MPAs.  

We have enabled the enforcement of a total ban on trawling in 550 sq km of Turkish waters, with a ban on fishing in 105 sq km. In five years, this pilot protected area has delivered outstanding results.