Protecting Marine Ecosystems: Boğaziçi University's Role in Raising Awareness

Boğaziçi University, through its İklimBU (Climate Change and Policy Research Centre), plays a pivotal role in raising awareness about the importance of marine ecosystem protection. By conducting educational and outreach activities, İklimBU addresses critical issues such as overfishing, illegal and unregulated fishing practices, and the destructive impacts of climate change on fisheries and aquaculture.

Education and Awareness-Raising Initiatives

Open Lectures and Seminars

İklimBU organizes public lectures and seminars that provide detailed insights into the effects of overfishing and destructive fishing practices on marine biodiversity. These sessions also highlight the impacts of climate change on Turkey’s fisheries, particularly in regions like the Black Sea and Marmara. These events serve as an educational platform to inform local and national communities about the urgent need for sustainable fishing practices.

Awareness Articles

Through informative articles like “The Climate Crisis That's Taking the Fish Off My Table”, İklimBU communicates the broader implications of unsustainable fishing and climate change to a wide audience. The article discusses how overfishing, coupled with rising sea temperatures, acidification, and sea-level rise, threatens marine life and the livelihoods dependent on it.

Key points covered include:

• The adverse effects of overfishing and illegal practices, such as juvenile fish harvesting, on marine ecosystems.
• The role of climate change in exacerbating these challenges, including habitat destruction and altered migration patterns.
• The potential long-term consequences for food security and local economies reliant on fisheries.

Impact of Climate Change on Fisheries

İklimBU emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate change and marine ecosystem health. The center provides detailed educational content on:

• Rising ocean temperatures and their impact on fish migration and reproduction.
• Ocean acidification, which diminishes the survival chances of marine species by disrupting pH balance and weakening their habitat.
• Sea-level rise, which leads to the loss of coastal habitats and disrupts aquaculture operations.

Why Marine Ecosystem Protection Matters

Turkey’s fisheries, especially in regions like the Black Sea, play a significant role in the country’s economy and food security. However, overfishing and climate change are rapidly depleting fish stocks, threatening both biodiversity and the livelihoods of fishing communities. Boğaziçi University’s efforts aim to foster a deeper understanding of these issues and encourage sustainable solutions.

By combining scientific research with public outreach, İklimBU ensures that communities are better equipped to address the challenges of overfishing and climate change.

For more information, visit İklimBU’s website or explore their latest publications and upcoming events. Together, we can protect our marine ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future.

For more information

https://climatechange.bogazici.edu.tr/soframdan-baligi-alan-iklim-krizi/

2024 Sustainability Report SDG-14 (Related Section)

Overfishing and Protection of Marine Ecosystems Training Programmes

Boğaziçi University, through the Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policy Research Centre (İklimBU) , provides comprehensive awareness-raising education programmes for local and national communities on overfishing, illegal and unregulated fishing practices and the protection of marine ecosystems. Educational activities aim to promote sustainable practices by focusing on critical issues such as the devastating effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and aquaculture.

Awareness Raising Activities of Boğaziçi University

1. Open Lectures and Seminars

İklimBU organises public conferences and seminars addressing the impacts of overfishing, illegal fishing and destructive fishing practices on marine biodiversity. These events highlight the problems threatening fisheries in important seas of Turkey such as the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. These sessions function as an educational platform emphasising the need for sustainable fishing practices.

2. Awareness Articles

İklimBU publishes informative articles on marine ecosystems and sustainable fisheries that reach a wide audience. For example, the article ‘The Climate Crisis That's Taking Fish Off My Table’ comprehensively addresses key climate change- related issues such as overfishing, rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification and sea level rise.

The key points addressed are:

• The negative impacts of overfishing and illegal practices such as juvenile fish harvesting on marine ecosystems.
• The role of climate change in exacerbating these challenges, including habitat destruction and changing migration patterns.
• Potential long-term consequences for food security and local economies based on fisheries.

Click here to read the article:

https://climatechange.bogazici.edu.tr/soframdan-baligi-alan-iklim-krizi/

İklimBU combines scientific research with public events to help local communities become more aware and equipped to tackle key environmental issues such as overfishing, illegal fishing and climate change. You can join Boğaziçi University's work to protect our marine ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future, and discover the latest publications and events on İklimBU's website.