The artificial reefs that Mersin Metropolitan Municipality left to the sea about a year ago became a home for many sea creatures, especially fish. Artificial reefs, which are an important factor in the increase of living life thanks to the algae formed on them, also prevent poaching.
The species is increasing
Considering factors such as marine life destroyed due to climate change, increasing microplastics and decreasing species numbers, the Metropolitan Municipality left artificial reefs at many points in the sea with the project it implemented.
The number of living things in artificial reefs, which are left to the sea at certain intervals and depths around Galatasaray Square, and which are the habitat of sea creatures in a period of 3 months, is increasing day by day. Artificial reefs, which are shelter, feeding and breeding grounds for many creatures, also prevent poaching because they are caught in nets.
Yıldız: “Our artificial reefs are on their way to becoming natural reefs”
Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Fire Brigade Department Underwater Search and Rescue Chief Kasım Yıldız stated that they regularly check artificial reefs and that life begins to emerge after the first 3 months. Yıldız said, “In the first shootings we took in the third month, we observed that our reefs adapt to the living ecosystem and that life forms. During the controls we made, we realized that the living life is increasing day by day and that our artificial reefs are on the way to transforming into natural reefs. Small fish are nesting in our artificial reefs as a sheltered area, and their numbers are increasing day by day. In addition, we see that the life of the living is carried to a higher level with each passing day. As Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, our reefs are a great study for the maritime geography of Mersin.”
Kutlu: “Our aim is to ensure the proliferation of species and to eliminate illegal hunting”
Aylin Kutlu, who works as an Agricultural Engineer at Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Agricultural Services Department, talked about the purpose of the project and said, “Our aim is to increase the habitat of sea creatures living in the Mersin region, to ensure the proliferation of species and to eliminate illegal hunting. The conformity report of the area where the artificial reefs will be thrown was requested. While obtaining this conformity report, support was received from METU Marine Sciences Institute.
Adding that 14 artificial reefs were left at certain intervals and depths in Mezitli's Galatasaray Square area, Kutlu stated that the observation process continues and said, “In this process, it was observed that natural life was formed on artificial reefs and an increase in species was achieved. It was also seen that there were nets on artificial reefs, that is, illegal fishing was prevented. The observation process continues with the diver personnel in the Fire Department.
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