The Faculty of Marine Sciences at Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) carries out various projects focused on the protection and management of sustainable aquatic ecosystems. Within these projects, the faculty both conducts academic research and organizes trainings, seminars, and field activities to raise awareness among the local community. Through these efforts, the faculty aims to protect freshwater resources, monitor ecosystem health, and increase public environmental awareness.
Under the BlackNETs project, awareness activities are organized to highlight the damage caused by ghost nets and abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) to the marine ecosystem and marine life. These events aim to spread the project’s message on reducing ghost nets to broader audiences.
On December 17, 2024, a seminar organized by the Trabzon Association for the Protection of Natural and Historical Values (DOĞA-TARİH) brought together a group of 30 participants—including academics, administrators, public officials, engineers, architects, educators, and other experts—for information sharing and solution-oriented discussion. On December 20, 2024, an information and awareness event was held at 88th Year Republic Anatolian High School with the participation of 142 students, where topics such as ghost nets, destructive fishing, and the impacts of ghost nets and gear on marine life and biodiversity were explained through photos, videos, and briefing notes.
Awareness-raising activities continue within the scope of the LitOUTer Project (BSB-785), completed in 2023. Designed for youth and children, these activities aim to protect the Black Sea ecosystem, reduce marine litter, and strengthen societal awareness.
In this context, as part of a project run by KTU’s Faculty of Marine Sciences, an awareness training event was held at 88th Year Republic Anatolian High School. The program began with a comprehensive presentation by Prof. Dr. Fatma Telli Karakoç on the sources, impacts, and solutions of marine litter. Then Prof. Dr. Coşkun Erüz addressed the threats that ghost fishing nets pose to the marine ecosystem. The program also featured Prof. Dr. Hacer Sağlam, Dr. Neira Purwanty Ismail, and graduate student Melike Tüysüz. (News link)
Within the framework of the cooperation protocol signed between our university and the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) for the project titled “Production, Rearing of Native Trout and Restocking of Inland Forest Waters,” a consultation meeting was held at the Maçka Altındere Native Trout R&D Center on December 19, 2024. Participants included Prof. Dr. Nadir BAŞÇINAR; DKMP Trabzon Provincial Director Pınar AKGÜN; DKMP Trout Coordinator Eng. Özgür AKKAN; from DKMP Central Organization (Ankara), Monitoring and Control Branch Manager Mehmet Ali YAŞAR, Veterinarian Vural MUTİŞ and Technician Sait KARAMAN; and from DKMP Region XII, Branch Manager Murat CAN. (Meeting link)
