Throughout 2024, as the Mediterranean Conservation Society (AKD), we continued working with the vision of "a Mediterranean ecosystem where all living beings coexist in harmony and balance." With our professional team, stakeholders, and volunteers, we had an intensive year in our focus areas. This year, our priorities included scientific monitoring efforts, identifying sources of plastic pollution, combating non-indigenous species, and monitoring species and habitats such as the Mediterranean monk seal and sandbar shark. Through our educational projects, we reached thousands of students, while our communication activities amplified our voice to broader audiences.
-In 2024, our Marine Rangers operated from five stations, conducting 1,462 patrols over 4,095 hours in 18 No-Fishing Zones, covering a total distance of 29,368 km. During these patrols, 842 illegal fishing activities were identified and reported to the authorities. Furthermore, we began regular patrols from the station established in the Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area this year.
-In Gökova, Göcek, and Bozburun regions, we conducted fish counts at 21 different stations. In Gökova Bay, where our protection activities are most intensive, we observed a 24% decrease in total fish biomass outside No-Fishing Zones compared to 2023, while in No-Fishing Zones, fish biomass increased by 14%. This difference underscores the significance of our active conservation efforts in these areas and gives us hope for the future.
-Our internally developed data Dashboard application was recognized as a best-practice example among ELSP stakeholders. We shared our experiences from the Dashboard development process and our Data Management Strategy in an international webinar attended by ELSP stakeholders.
-We produced a film titled Is There Fish for Tomorrow? in collaboration with small-scale fishers in the Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area, to hear firsthand about the threats facing fishing and our seas.
-In 2024, we conducted eight underwater cleanup operations across three regions, removing approximately 2.5 tons of waste from marine ecosystems.
-Our monitoring efforts for the Mediterranean monk seal continued in 10 caves, where we captured footage of seven monk seals in a single cave simultaneously.
-As part of the sandbar shark monitoring studies initiated in 2023, we completed the analysis of underwater footage in 2024. Over 6,500 hours of data were reviewed and analyzed by our team. We began research and model development for integrating artificial intelligence-based technologies into our conservation and monitoring efforts.
-In 2024, we delivered 11 international oral presentations and published seven international scientific papers.
-Together with local stakeholders, volunteers, and community members, we conducted four coastal cleanups, collecting a total of 482 kg of waste.
-We purchased approximately 5 tons of edible non-indigenous species from small-scale fishers in eight different regions of Muğla, removing them from the Mediterranean ecosystem and facilitating their consumption in 22 restaurants and businesses.
-Under the project "Non-Indigenous Species Uplifting the Blue Economy," supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and in collaboration with Ege University’s Faculty of Fisheries, we began monitoring the spatial and temporal behavior of lionfish using acoustic tagging.
-To identify the sources of plastic pollution, we completed microplastic sampling at 17 stations and macro- and mesoplastic sampling at five stations. Over the next four years, our scientific monitoring studies on plastic pollution will continue in the Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area.
-In partnership with UCPA Water Sports Center in Datça, we initiated citizen science activities to sample microplastics accumulating on the water surface using paddleboards. Sampling, which began during the summer season, continued into the winter season of 2024. These citizen science activities focused on plastic pollution will extend throughout 2025.
-Through educational programs, we increased the number of "Mediterranean Guardians" who deeply understand the role and importance of the seas in ecosystems, can investigate the causes and effects of climate change and pollution using scientific methods, and develop creative solutions through critical thinking-based games. A total of 1,637 students and 58 teachers were introduced to the Mediterranean Guardians Education Program. Of these students, 362 participated in the training, 609 attended seminars, and 506 joined extracurricular activities such as Coastal Macro Waste Sampling. This year, we organized educational activities, seminars, and events in 22 schools. Additionally, 302 students were introduced to the "Mediterranean Guardians" board game. We participated in three festivals, including the 4th Istanbul International Children’s Rights Festival, where we organized workshops for children and youth.
-We led the Turkish localization process for the interactive educational platform The Sea We Breathe, developed under the leadership of the Blue Marine Foundation. The platform, which launched in 2024 with Turkish language support, features voiceovers by Mazlum Kiper. Y
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In 2025, we will continue our efforts to protect the natural and cultural heritage of the Mediterranean along our coasts.