The data transfer to the geographical information system is initiated in the first term of the project and accelerated in the second term. These studies will be similarly carried on in the third term of the project as well.
As follows, brief information given about the studies conducted and the project interim outputs are stated.
RESEARCH ON THE ECOLOGIC COMPONENTS
Avifauna Research
Cem Orkun Kıraç, component supervisor, carried observations in 43 points in the field studies within Gökova SEPA together with Kasım Kırlangıç and determined 86 bird species under 31 families. Numerical increase of the species will be highly possible in the wintering and migrating bird studies and literature studies will be driven in future. The great importance of the islands came from their feature as being an essential breeding area of the sea birds. Furthermore young and adult members of the shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii) species which are categorized as endangered species are observed in the area and breeding activities of these species are determined in the coasts of Gökova SEPA. In these studies, vital importance of the Akyaka beach and marsh lands in Gökova from the point of birds is emphasized and presence of the new species such as Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) is confirmed for the first time in the area.
1.2) Fish Diversity and Macro-benthic Fauna Research
Assoc. Prof. Murat Bilecenoğlu, component supervisor, completed detailed literature survey and listed 352 fishes and 905 benthic species. Field studies will be finished in the III. term of the project.
1.3) Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) Research
Cem Orkun Kıraç and Nesimi Ozan Veryeri, component supervisors, are carrying on field studies with other SAD researchers’ contribution. Observation records of the Mediterranean monk seal in the field from 1987 until today are provided by surveillance of SAD-AFAG FokDATA database. In the field studies, 12 actual Mediterranean monk seal record collected from the surveys made with fishermen. Total observation number increase to 21 with the combination of the records acquired from field surveys and FokDATA database. The designation of potential caves and cavities suitable for Mediterranean monk seal access to rest are complemented with the coastal surveys on the west coasts of Gökova Bay driven by the research team. Field studies will be carried on in the third term of the project alike.
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1.4) Sandbar Sharks (Carcharinus plumbeus) Research
Studies are conducted through Boncuk Bay in the first and second terms in charge of Assoc. Prof. Murat Bilecenoğlu with the supports of SAD volunteers and researchers’ diving aids. It’s stated that sandbar sharks are currently utilizing (for now) Boncuk Bay and especially the northern coasts of the bay within Gökova SEPA area. Sandbar sharks arrive annually to the area at the end of April, stay until the end of July and in these terms pregnant females bear live pups in the area. Same as previous years, breeding and high access of Sandbar Sharks in the area are identified in 2008 and 2009.
High protection and careful dealing in the plans within Gökova Integrated Marine and Coastal Management Planning is necessary for the Boncuk Bay which is one of the three known breeding location of this scarce marine species in the whole Mediterranean Basin.
1.5) Posidonia (Posidonia oceanica) Distribution Research
Yalçın Savaş, component supervisor, determined posidonia reserve areas by appointing -10 and -30 meter isobaths in the studies driven with Ayhan Tonguç. Posidonia reserve areas are located from Ören residential area to the northern coasts and in Boncuk Bay. Apart from this, illustration of isobaths in southern coast areas designated on the map is completed. Data gathering and analyses focused on the southern coasts of the project area will continue in 2010.
1.6) Coastal Habitat Classification
Cem Orkun Kıraç, component supervisor, carrying on the studies covering the identification of coastal habitats' classes by coastal surveys and classification of obtained data in geographical information systems on the base of satellite visual. Field studies will be carried on in third term of the project.
2) RESEARCH ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC COMPONENTS
2.1) Research and Reporting of Fishery Potential
Assoc. Prof. Vahdet Ünal, component supervisor, executed a field survey with 90 fishermen registered to three aquaculture cooperatives in the area (Akyaka, Akçapınar, Sarnıç-Akbük Fisheries Cooperatives). On the other side, retrospective record gathering carried out about white grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) and black grouper (Epinephelus alexandrinus) species which have great importance for the project area. The data of size, weight, unit price, type of the hunting equipment and quantity of groupers hunted through the season are provided from cooperatives. Regional fishery potential, fishery economy, determination of the problems about fishery and data gathering about illegal fishing and its assessment in the region are in progress within the project. Two important meetings organized individually with regional fishermen in the months of October 2009 and December 2009 and in consequence of these meetings, complete agreement reached about the closure of small sized areas for the fishing (No Fishing Zone). Furthermore locations and range of these areas are determined with the contribution of project expert team and consultants and through the provided support and information especially from small coastal fishermen.
These studies will be carried in III. and IV. terms of the project in 2010. Additionally implementation of “No Fishing Zone” measure is predicted to become valid in 2010 with the completion of the related legislation.
2.2) Research and Reporting of Local Stakeholders and Livelihoods
Bahar Suseven, component supervisor, is in charge for this study and maintain the studies under three categories; local biological diversity and its interaction with human activities, human activities and environmental pollution.
2.3) Organic Aquaculture Study
Damien Dessane, component supervisor, completed feasibility research in a facility use to give service as fish farm in Karaca Bay. Research studies and legal regulation studies will continue in 2010.
3) DETERMINATION OF THE THREATS AND PRESSURES
Threats and pressures are listed in I. and II. terms by means of the consultants' field researches driven in the field and meetings organized with local public. Beside these studies, marine pollution measurements will be carried on various stations and studies will be driven about the pressure on the costs due to yacht and boats moorings.
4) TRANSFER OF THE OUTPUTS AND RELATED DATA TO GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM
Appraisal of local data acquisition method and estimations performed by related consultants in 2009. Relationship between biological diversity data and the other data is evaluated and bird watching studies, Posidonia oceanic data, monk seal observation records and habitat classification data obtained in 2009 are digitalized. Beside these, coast line, marine area, SEPA boundary, rivers, roads, docks, touristic places etc. layer are digitized overlapping image of Quickbird satellite map with 60m resolution. According to these digitization that were implemented with 1/500 scale;
Total coast lenght of Gökova SEPA is nearly 272 km.(included islands)
Total marine area of Gökova SEPA is nearly 307 km2.
Apart from these studies, operations as follow are accomplished in 2009.
MEDİA CAMPAIGN
Click here for the news featured in national and local press.
WEB SITE DESIGN
The website, you are currently exploring, is prepared to fulfill project introduction to the project stakeholders and to local public as well and share explicitly the present situation of the project with the contributors.
TRAINING OF THE TRAINERS SEMINAR ORGANIZATION ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION TECHNICS OF INTEGRATED MARINE AND COASTAL AREAS MANAGEMENT PLANNING
Seminar carried with 74 participants from different organizations and institutions between the dates of 3-5 October 2009 in Akyaka. Click here for the seminar photos.
STAKEHOLDERS PROBLEM ANALYSIS MEETINGS
Problem analysis meetings are carried out with stakeholders from “Yachting and Boat Tours Group” , “Fisheries Group”, “Tourism Group” and “Farmers Group” in respect between the dates of 5-8 December 2009 in Akyaka Gökova Hotel and Gökova Municipality Coffee House. High interest and broad participation provided from the local stakeholders to the problem analysis meetings organized in project area. Meetings are performed with 89 participants in total with personally or representatives participation of stakeholder groups, local and formal organizations and private sector. In consequence of the studies, Ecologic Problems and Pollution, Infrastructure Problem, Administrative Problem and Socio-Cultural Communication Problems are expressed by the stakeholders as the main problems in the center of concerns. Click here for the stakeholder meetings' photos.
NATIONAL LEGISLATION ON FISHING GROUND and ITS COMPARAISON WITH EU ACQUIS
Driven studies are completed about the legislation at below so as to compare with EU acquis. In this study, gap analysis performed by the evaluation of national legislation and furthermore necessary recommendations constituted for the harmonization in this field.
* “Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea”
* EC 1967/2006 numbered EU Directive about “Management measures for the sustainable use of fishery resources in the Mediterranean”
Moreover, national legislation analysis is in progress about organic aquaculture and gap analyses are performing for EU and national legislation . In this context National strategy analysis is on going about aquaculture.
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