The Faculty of Marine Sciences at Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) develops technological and scientific solutions to prevent damage to aquatic ecosystems. Through EU-supported and nationally funded projects, the faculty carries out direct field studies focusing on marine ecosystem monitoring, pollution control, biodiversity assessment, and sustainable fisheries management. These initiatives contribute to protecting ecosystem health, advancing sustainable marine resource use, and strengthening scientific data production while raising awareness among coastal communities.
In 2024, recent research activities highlight KTU’s growing contribution to marine sustainability. In collaboration with the Central Fisheries Research Institute, researchers have been monitoring fish diversity and abundance in the Mediterranean and Black Seas under the EURockFish Project, supported by the EU Biodiversa+ Programme. Over a three-month period, underwater cameras were deployed at more than 100 sites in Demre (Antalya) and Sürmene (Trabzon) to observe native and invasive species, generating valuable data for biodiversity conservation.
Another significant initiative in 2024 involves the development of new methods for monitoring fish diversity and population density. Faculty members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rafet Çağrı Öztürk and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Şahin contributed as experts to a national research project led by the Central Fisheries Research Institute under the Biodiversa+ framework. These studies integrate modern imaging technologies and ecological modelling to improve the precision of biodiversity assessments in marine habitats.
In 2024, research led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rafet Çağrı Öztürk, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yahya Terzi, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Şahin has also focused on microplastic pollution in the Black Sea. Over the last five years, the team investigated the presence of microplastics in seawater, sediments, and fish species along Türkiye’s Black Sea coast, as well as those transported via rivers. The findings emphasized the urgency of reducing plastic use, strengthening waste management systems, and promoting sustainable consumption habits to protect marine ecosystems.
In addition, the Broodstock Management and Egg Larvae Quality R&D Project, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, focuses on the sustainable reproduction of Salmo trutta macrostigma (brown trout) populations. Led by Prof. Dr. Nadir Başçınar and Prof. Dr. İlhan Altınok, the project involves scientific breeding, tagging, and habitat restoration efforts aimed at preserving the ecological balance of inland waters.
