Gökova Bay

On the shore

The first winner of protection is the fisher

According to the daily data of the Akyaka Fisheries Cooperative, fishing income has increased by 400% together with the no-take zones. Women fishers regularly catch an invasive species that was first seen in the region in 2014.

%400increase in fishing income

On the rocky seabed

Colourful rocky seabeds

Rocky seabeds covered with sponges and coral-like species are one of the homes of the bay’s rich fish diversity.

%73Share of the fish species in Turkish waters that live in Gökova

On the sandy seabed

Bottom dwellers are protected too

Bottom species such as the common stingray live on the sandy floor of the protected area. The bay is also home to endangered species such as the angel shark and the Mediterranean guitarfish.

Newcomers

New residents of a warming sea

Invasive lionfish are also seen in Gökova. We monitor the non-native species arriving in the Mediterranean and, together with fishers, create a market for those that are edible.

In the open sea

A breeding ground for the sandbar shark

Gökova is a breeding and feeding ground for the threatened sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus). We carry out monitoring work for the sandbar shark in the bay.