Istanbul Medeniyet University hosted a photography exhibition that provides information about aquatic life in order to draw attention to the protection of seas and marine ecosystems. The opening of the “Life Below Water” exhibition, which was held by the IMU Sustainability Office in partnership with the Underwater Photographers and Filmmakers Association (SUFOD), was held on Monday, 18 December 2023. The exhibition was opened to visitors at Istanbul Medeniyet University Ziraat Bank Library Foyer Area during the “3rd Istanbul Medeniyet University Sustainability Week” events.
In the exhibition, photographs of 24 species photographed within the scope of the TUSACAN (Turkey Underwater Living Platform) project carried out by SUFOD, which aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, were exhibited. The exhibited photographs provided examples of species living in different seas at the global level, while providing a detailed information about Turkey and the species living in the seas surrounding Turkey.
At the opening of the exhibition, our Rector Prof.Dr. Gülfettin ÇELİK and the Sustainability Office team gave information about the protection of marine ecosystems, while SUFOD officials provided information about the species in the exhibition. In the exhibition, photographs of fish such as sharks, seahorses, stingrays, groupers, which are banned to be fished in Turkey in order to protect the species richness in the water and to realise sustainable fishing practices were exhibited and information about these species was given.
It was pointed out that species such as grouper, which were once thought to be quite abundant, have decreased in number due to illegal fishing and overfishing and eventually became one of the endangered species. It was stated that this situation, together with global warming and climate change, seriously threatens the lives of groupers. It was underlined that in order to sustain the extinction of these species and to preserve the species richness in the ecosystem, it is necessary to protect the habitats and ensure compliance with the rules as well as protecting the species. It was stated that the grouper, whose populations have been declining rapidly in the last twenty years, is under protection by the Mediterranean countries within the scope of the Bern Convention, is defined as an “Endangered” species in the IUCN Red List, and information was given about a spotted grouper species taken in tropical waters. Through grouper photographs taken in Turkey, it was also stated that grouper fishing with nets, fishing lines and spearguns in Turkey is restricted within the framework of the Communiques Regulating Commercial and Amateur Fisheries. Due to the non-compliance with the rule of not hunting groupers smaller than 45 cm, which was previously set in order not to be hunted until they reach the breeding age, it was stated that more serious measures need to be taken at this point and grouper hunting is banned in Turkey.
It was stated that the decrease in the number of groupers has also led to an increase in the number of lionfish as an invasive species in Turkish waters. KÜÇÜKLER stated that the lionfish, which originated from the Suez Canal, entered Turkey from the Eastern Mediterranean and spread and was also seen in the Aegean Sea, moving towards the Marmara Sea. However, it was mentioned that although lionfish have started to be caught in recent years to be utilised as food, this change caused by the decrease in groupers has a negative impact on the ecosystem balance.
In this context, SUFOD Board Member Hanife KÜÇÜKLER emphasised that the right decisions should be taken and controlled at the right times for the protection and sustainable use of the seas. For this purpose, she stated that local administrations, fishermen, boat owners, diving clubs and other stakeholders such as NGOs should come together in order to protect biodiversity by ensuring sustainable fisheries and to develop sustainable tourism strategies together with the protection decisions taken at international and national level. In this regard, she explained that the TUSACAN project provides an important database for documenting and monitoring the presence of species in the seas and inland waters of our country, the regions where they are distributed and the number of individuals of the species. Thus, in addition to introducing underwater creatures, it also contributes to the data needed by researchers conducting research on aquatic life and marine ecosystems.
