Turkey

In the world’s most overfished sea — the Mediterranean — Turkey is a leader in marine conservation. In 2020, it designated 500 km of its rich coastline south of Bodrum to be marine protected areas (MPAs), and created the Mediterranean’s largest highly protected marine reserve. But the resources and expertise required to enforce protection are often lacking, which leaves the country’s waters vulnerable to overfishing, overdevelopment, invasive species, and tourism.   

Blue Marine has lent its support with a management plan to make the government’s MPA designations more effective, working closely with local Turkish conservationists, the AKD. The plan links a network of six MPA sites and fishing communities, running east from Gӧkova Bay, the only MPA in the Mediterranean with its own shark populations (sandbar sharks). Artisanal fishers here are already being actively engaged in the management of their fishing grounds. The fishery at Gӧkova Bay is unusual in being run almost exclusively by women.   

Turkey also has a serious problem with invasive species — non-native marine animals that come up from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal. The most prevalent are lionfish, rabbitfish and pufferfish. Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing makes life easier for the invasives, as many larger predators such as tuna, which would otherwise be eating them, are themselves being overfished. Regular sorties by Blue Marine’s patrol boat identify and record incidences of IUU fishing, and report their findings to the coastguard.   

To improve the efficiency of conservation efforts, members of AKD and marine rangers have taken part in training programmes, and AKD held a workshop in Gӧkova Bay where experiences and knowledge were shared to encourage fishers to collaborate on vital data sharing, as well as to oppose illegal fishing. 

In 2023, we designated an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) to protect a rare population of sandbar sharks, created a market for invasive lionfish, restored monk seal caves, deployed thousands of patrols to enforce regulations, and continually monitor ecological and socio-economic recovery. 

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: fishery-related incomes up by 600 per cent; four times the number of endangered Monk seal; endangered Dusky grouper abundant; Sandbar shark at healthy levels; small-scale fishery catches up significantly in size and abundance.   

Blue Marine, with its partners, the Mediterranean Conservation Society, established a new marine ranger station in Orhaniye, contributing to 1400 patrols over 27,000 km of coastline, that detected 268 illegal fishing incidents. 4.5 tonnes of invasive fish was bought from fishers and sold to restaurants, supporting local economies and conserving biodiversity. Community education sessions reached 1500 students and 2.5 tonnes of nets and plastics was removed from the ocean.   

In 2025 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.