📩 19/09/2023 13:23
Within the scope of the "Karaburun-Ildır Bay Special Environmental Protection Area Marine Biodiversity Identification Project" carried out in Izmir by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Istanbul University Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, Cladocora caespitosa, known as an endemic stony coral species, was encountered, as well as many new species. .
In areas declared as Special Environmental Protection Areas by the Presidential decision of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change; Biodiversity studies continue in order to protect natural, cultural, historical, educational and aesthetic values and to form a basis for physical planning studies. The 'Karaburun-Ildır Gulf Special Environmental Protection Area Marine Biodiversity Detection Project', carried out in Karaburun-Ildır Bay, which was declared as a Special Environmental Protection Area in Izmir by the General Directorate of Natural Assets Protection and Istanbul University Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, has come to an end. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Hasan Suver, General Director of Natural Assets Protection Dr. attended the meeting held at Karaburun Public Education Center due to the closure of the project. H. Abdullah Uçan, Deputy General Director for the Protection of Natural Assets Dr. Beyhan Oktar, Karaburun District Governor Eyüp Kaykaç, Karaburun Mayor İlkay Girgin, Head of Protection, Monitoring and Special Environmental Protection Zones Department Mustafa Uzun, Project Manager Prof. Dr. Bayram Öztürk, ministry managers, experts, academicians and NGOs attended. At the meeting, it was announced that, according to the data obtained from the project, many new species and the Cladocora caespitosa species, one of the endemic stony coral species, were encountered in the Karaburun region. With the project, an inventory of marine biodiversity elements, sharks, rays and alien species was made. Sea meadows and habitats in the Karaburun region, the distribution of Mediterranean monk seals and marine mammals were determined and transferred to maps.
“WE WILL SERVE OUR COMMON HOME, THE WORLD, WITH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY”
Providing information about the results of the project carried out in Karaburun-Ildır Bay, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Hasan Suver said, “When we say nature, we mean all living things. Humans are also part of this big family. Human beings use the scientific and technological opportunities they have acquired to make nature more productive. Or it survives by destroying, polluting and corrupting. Our Earth is our one and only planet in space. "We will serve our common home, our world, by walking arm in arm with science and technology, using science and technology with an understanding of values that respect the world, people and the future." said.
KARABURUN REGION WAS EXAMINED WITH PRECISION
General Director of Natural Assets Protection Dr. In his speech, H. Abdullah Uçan said that with the project launched in 2021, approximately 181,70 kilometers of sea coastline and the biological coastal and marine environment up to a depth of 40 meters were evaluated. Uçan said, “Under the leadership of our Minister, Mr. Mehmet Özhaseki, we aim and strive to protect natural life in the protected areas under our authority and responsibility, to minimize the effects of climate change and to make them more livable. Karaburun-Ildır Gulf Special Environmental Protection Area marine area is an important habitat of the critically endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal, where our General Directorate continues its protection and monitoring activities. Another sensitive species found in the region is; They are sea meadows called Mediterranean endemic. Seagrass meadows are one of the most important carbon sink areas and, in addition to producing oxygen through photosynthesis, are the living, spawning and sheltering areas for many living creatures. "At the same time, it can prevent coastal erosion, retain suspended loads and sedimentation in the water, regulate ground movements, and play an important role in the fight against climate change." he said.