Artificial Reef Blocks Placed on the Seabed in Mersin

Mersin Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan participated in the program of placing artificial reef blocks on the seabed within the scope of the “Aquaculture Development Project” and opened the Erdemli Fisherman's Shelter Fisheries Administrative Building.

Governor Pehlivan, who first opened the Erdemli Fisherman's Shelter Fisheries Administrative Building within the scope of his program, noted that our state's support to the fishing industry will continue as it has been until now, and wished the administrative building to be beneficial.

Governor Ali Hamza Pehlivan later participated in the program of placing artificial reef blocks on the seabed, which was organized in Erdemli Fisherman's Sanctuary. Erdemli Deputy District Governor Abdullah Aslaner, Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Director Arif Abalı, Deputy Coast Guard Mediterranean Region Commander Colonel Çağın Taşkın, Erdemli Fisheries Cooperative President Yalçın Sakın, district protocol members and fishermen attended the program.

In his speech at the program, Governor Pehlivan said, “The Artificial Reef Project was developed under the auspices of our Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with the support of the General Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries, and under the general coordination of our Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, again under the auspices of our Governor's Office. It is a very important project with a scientific dimension. In cooperation with the METU Marine Sciences Institute, scientific research was carried out in the field for 2-3 years and the production of these reefs was started. In total, 796 reefs were built. The aim here is to increase biodiversity in the sea, to produce shelters and breeding areas for fish species, and while doing this, to present a picture that is in harmony with nature and does not disturb the natural structure of the sea. Such activities are very important in a city with 321 kilometers of coastline.” said.

Pointing out that the artificial reef blocks are built in harmony with the natural structure of the sea, Governor Pehlivan said, “These blocks are constantly monitored after they are left on the sea floor. As a matter of fact, this project will be followed for at least 2,5 years. Which way it goes will be followed. In this sense, it is aimed to contribute to the development of fisheries, to increase the biological species and fish species, and to increase the production capacity.” used the expressions.

With the participation of the Governor Wrestler, approximately 796 artificial reef blocks of 1,5 tons each were loaded on a crane boat from Mersin Erdemli Fisherman's Sanctuary and placed on the seabed one mile offshore.