This project, implemented by the Mediterranean Conservation Society, will be carried out between April 1 and December 31, 2025, in the international waters of the Aegean Sea and the Gulf of İzmir. The project aims to combat the destructive impacts of illegal trawling on marine ecosystems, enhance the effectiveness of monitoring systems, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable fishing practices through strengthened cooperation with relevant institutions.
Within the scope of the project, the following objectives are set: to ensure effective use of monitoring systems in international waters, to thoroughly record fishing gear in licenses, to establish joint inspection protocols with neighboring countries, and to create independent monitoring mechanisms with the support of civil society. In the Gulf of İzmir, the project will focus on diversifying and enhancing inspection mechanisms against illegal trawling activities by small-scale licensed vessels. It will also examine inter-institutional collaborations for detailing and effectively implementing various technical and legal regulations—ranging from radar systems to engine power, from deck equipment to port departure controls.
Additionally, the project will work towards ensuring Turkey takes an active role in international platforms such as the GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) and UNOC (United Nations Ocean Conference), through calls for transparency, sustainability, and effective monitoring. To support this aim, joint meetings will be organized with relevant institutions.
The project will also be supported through awareness and training activities. Training programs will be launched for public personnel working in the field, and a short documentary highlighting the impacts of illegal industrial fishing on ecosystems will be shared with relevant stakeholders.
Through this comprehensive initiative, the project seeks to reduce illegal fishing activities, protect marine biodiversity, and establish a strong advocacy mechanism at both national and international levels.