The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry contributed to the increase in the number of fish with artificial nests created in the seas within the scope of artificial reef projects.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries has implemented artificial reef practices, known as artificial nests, in order to protect and develop aquatic biodiversity, restore degraded ecosystems and develop sustainable aquaculture production.
Within the scope of the studies, the "Artificial Reef Applications Project Planning Guide" and the "National Artificial Reef Master Plan" covering all coasts were prepared. Within this framework, 75 artificial reef projects were implemented, including experimental studies.
Thanks to the artificial nests prepared by placing concrete blocks on top of each other within the scope of the projects, the fish can be kept away from the nets. The number of fish increased in the regions where the projects were implemented. This increase also allowed fishermen to catch more fish.
ARTIFICIAL REEF PROJECTS STARTED IN 2009
The “Edremit Bay Pilot Project for the Protection and Development of Fisheries Resources with Artificial Reefs” was put into practice by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, using 2009 concrete artificial reefs and 2012 anti-troll blocks in 7 regions in 6-120 in Edremit Bay.
In the following period, in 2013-2017, the "Artificial Reefs Monitoring Project" was carried out, and an effective monitoring was carried out in all aspects. At the end of the monitoring, it was concluded that there was an increase in aquatic biodiversity, fish eggs, larvae and fish diversity and number in the reef area in terms of species and weight.
Later, after obtaining the necessary permissions from the relevant institutions, the General Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries launched the "Istanbul Artificial Reef Project" in 2019, the "Burhaniye Artificial Reef Project" in 2021 in Balıkesir in cooperation with the Burhaniye Chamber of Commerce, and the "Burhaniye Artificial Reef Project" in Mersin in 2022. Erdemli Artificial Reef Project” and Adana “Karataş Artificial Reef Project” were completed and the monitoring phase started.