SITE SELECTION, MONITORING AND ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON AQUACULTURE IN TURKEY

Hayri DENIZ & Gzel Ycel GIER

Workshop on National Legislation on Siting, Monitoring Programme and on
Environmental Impact Assessment, 13-14 July 2009, Vigo / SPAIN

AQUACULTURE POTANTIAL OF TURKEY

Resources

Numbers

Area (ha)

Natural Lakes

200

906.118

Dam Lakes

206

342.377

Man-made Lakes

952

27.032

Seas (total surface)

24.607.200

1.362

26.000.000

TOTAL

Additional, 33 rivers 177.000 km in length and coastal line 8.333 km

Turkey has 2nd longest coast line in the Mediterranean

FISHERIES PRODUCTION IN 2008

(646,310 mt)

AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION BY SUB-GROUPS IN 2008

Inland Aquaculture 66.557 mt
Trout
65.928
Carp
629
Marine Aquaculture
Trout
Sea bream
Sea bass
Mussels
Other

85.629 mt
2.721
31.670
49.270
196
1.772

TOTAL

152.186 mt

AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION BY SPECIES IN 2008

NUMBER OF FISH FARMS BY SUB-SECTOR IN 2008

Farm type

Number

Capacity
(tons/year)

Inland fish
farms

1.398

988.500

Marine fish
farms

350

110.500

TOTAL

1.748

199.000

AQUACULTURE GROWTH TREND

IN THE PAST DECATE

ACHIEVEMENTS

In recent 5 years, the increase on aquaculture

production,as a volume and values were 18 %, 110%

respectively.

Turkey now has a 25 % share of the European sea bream

and sea bass market, and plays an active role in the
development of regional policies.

Majority of the fish production, being the only animal

product exported into EU countries in Turkey.

Turkey is the 3rd fastest growing country in the World in

the aquaculture.

Turkey has occupied first place in trout production

among European countries.

Approximately 25.000 people are employed in the sector.

Latest developments in the aquaculture sector place

Turkey in an important position both in the Mediterranean

basin and among the EU countries.

DIFFICULTIES


Turkey has a growing marine aquaculture sector.


It is providing relevant fish food for the country and for the tourist
sector in the coastal zones

The sector employs many people in the coastal communities

Mariculture may be a future solution to fish demands
BUT
In 13 May 2006 a new Turkish Environmental Law forced marine
aquaculture facilities to move of the coast within one year








The assumption is that farms cause an environmental problem

166 FISH FARMS (86 %) WERE DECLARED TO BE CLOSED DOWN
in 16 May 2007 by Ministry of Environment and Forestry

The government; MARA , farmers, coastal communities want to find

a solution
Costs of moving and offshore installations are very high
Government have not giving financial support
Global economic crises have also effected Turkish fish farmers

AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT
MARA is the responsible authority for development and management of
aquaculture in Turkey.
According to Article 13 of the Law, the procedures and principles related to
aquaculture are set by the Aquaculture Regulation, which was issued in 2004 and
amended in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

The Regulation covers and sets out rules for the following issues:
Site selection for inland and marine fish farms
Application and evaluation procedures for aquafarming licenses
Approving the projects and issuing licenses
Improving production capacity, species etc, cancellation site changes and sales
Importing brood fish, egg and fry,
Compulsory technical staff employment,
Fish health management
Environmental impacts and protection
Monitoring and control of farming activities
Fish welfare

IDENTIFICATON OF MARICULTURE ZONES

( Zone Level)
Principals of identification
 Suitability and possibility of mariculture

Water quality

Psychical and chemical conditions

 Sensitive area parameters and criteria

Water depth
30m
Distance from coastline 0.6 mile
Current speed
0.1 m/sec

 Protection status

Special protected areas

Sites of archeological and historical

Wild life protected areas,
areas, etc.

 Other coastal uses

Tourism, urbanization, marine transportation,
fishing, recreation, etc.

LEGALISATION OF NEW MARICULTURE ZONES

New Mariculture Zone in Mugla City

The new mariculture zones entered into force as part of the overall
coastal zone plans and management in 2008

SITE SELECTION CRITERIA

(Farm Level)

LICENSING PROCEDURE OF MARINE FISH FARMS

EVALUATION OF EIA APPLICATONS

EIA FORMAT
Description and purpose of project







Cost Benefit Analysis of the project

Situation of the activity units within the project scope
Location map, activity area and panoramic photographs of the environs
environs
1/1000, 1/5.000, 1/25.000 scale approved final plans of the area
The activity area must be marked on a map and include settlements
settlements in the perimeter
Marking the activity area based within a 1 km radius

Determination of the project location and affected area & Explaining the existing
environmental characteristics
The physical and biological characteristics of project area and areas to be affected
by project and the use of natural resources







Use of the sea and coast

Species and ecosystems
Meteorological data
Importance, appropriateness regarding marine traffic
SocioSocio-economical characteristics
Other characteristics of the activity area and close environs

Important environmental impacts & precautions to be taken







Physical and biological impacts on the environment and precautions

precautions to be taken
Potential and continuing impacts after operation is shut down and
and preventive action to be taken
Emergency Intervention Plan and Monitoring Program
Project alternatives
Results

EIA PROCESSURE

COMMUNIQUE OF FISH FARM MONITORING

MEF and MARA are the responsible authorities for monitoring of fish farms in
Turkey.
According to Article 54 of the Environmental Law, the procedures and
principles related to monitoring of fish farms are set by the Communiqu on
the Monitoring of Fish Farms Established on the Sea, which was issued in
2009.

The Communiqu covers and sets out rules for the following issues:
Principles and Rudiments:
Sampling and Keeping Sample Procedures and Conditions
Monitoring:
Measurement and Analysis
Monitoring Period and Reporting
Exceptional Circumstances
Inspection and Sanction

In addition to parameters on Table -1, Benthic Flora and Fauna types with Beggiatoa bacteria distribution are also determined. (Standard Method No

FISH FARM MONITORING CRITERIA

Parameter

Bottom sediment

Water column

Ph

Colloidal substant

Secchi Disk Depth

Salinity

Temperature

Dissolved oxygen

Ammonium nitrogen

Total nitrogen

Total phosphorous

Chlorophyll A

Total organic carbon

In addition, benthic flora and fauna types with Beggiatoa bacteria distribution are
also determined

DEVELOPING A ROADMAP FOR TURKISH MARINE

AQUACULTURE
FAO-MARA 2008

TCP/TUR 3101 Project

APPROACH: IMPLEMENT EAA

(Initial trigger provided by the FAO TCPF project)

Activities


Workshops with broad stakeholders participation

Defining relevant spatial scale/ecosystem boundaries
Identification of relevant issues (e.g. ecosystem components
and processes)
Identifying potential solutions and responsible entities




Training workshops for farmers

A draft pilot zoning plan for mariculture zones with
short, medium and long term options

Outputs


A road map to implement the Strategy

STAKEHOLDERS IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMS AND

AGREEING ON POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Problem: coastal farms have to move off the coast

ONE CONFLICT AREA: GERENCE BAY-IZMIR

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMS



Institutional/administration issues (35%)



Site selection and logistics (26%)







Coordination gap between Ministries, some legislative conflicts,

cumbersome licensing and permitting process, no integration of
aquaculture in coastal management programs and lack of ICM

need to identify new sites

need to agree on environmental criteria and estimate carrying
capacity,
there are insufficient land facilities, jetties etc.
new more expensive technologies will be needed, difficult to
adopt by small farmers

Conflicts with other users (39%)



Not always clear, environmental issues not well documented,

environmental requirements are not equally relevant for other
users (e.g. summer houses in the coast)

SITE SELECTION AND MONITORING TO MINIMIZE

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF AQUACULTURE


Site selection for a farm and for the aquaculture zone is

one of the most important management tools

Finding easy indicators of significant environmental

impacts to avoid/ minimize biodiversity loses

Monitoring Programs including other potentially

impacting activities are a MUST

When demanding environmental monitoring to aquaculture

is very important to make sure that the effects of other
activities is being considered as well

M
M
It is necessary to understand the ecosystem Carrying
Capacity and to carry on integrated management

Biodeposits = organic matter

COUPLING AQUACULTURE WITH OTHER USERS OF

COASTAL ZONE
Multitrophic aquaculture
Recreational fisheries
Enhancing Aquaculture-fisheries synergies
Feeds

Artificial reefs

Bivalve beds

FIELD STUDY OF GERENCE BAY-IZMIR:

A PILOT MARICULTURE ZONING

OUPUTS AND OUTCOME

An agreed strategy (EAA) for the

development of mariculture




A pilot aquaculture zoning plan

A road map for the implementation
of the EAA

Trained farmers

Dissemination brochures about

marine aquaculture in Turkey and
the EAA

AssiOLD FARMS TO NEW FARMS

Old Style
Cages
Assistance involves supporting and enhancing farmers organization
in clusters and farmers groups to enable them in facing new technologies and
higher costs
Continue training to improve understanding of the relationship bewteen
the farming process with new technologies and ecosystem processes and respo

New Style

THE ROAD MAP WAS PRESENTED TO MARA AND

OTHER MINISTRIES IN JANUARY 2009

Now; the Strategy including

the time line, the plan and
activities are set.
With the willingness of the
government, the farmers and
other relevant stakeholders,
mariculture should
move forward in a
sustainable manner

DETERMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF

FISH FARM TO THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM
(TUBITAKTechnological Research Council of Turkey )
Project Partners
 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Affairs
 Ministry of Environment and
Forest
 TUBITAK Marmara Research
Center
 Black Sea Technical University
 Rize University
 anakkale 18 Mart University
 Federation of Aquaculture and
Fisheries

DETERMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF

FISH FARM TO THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM
AIM OF PROJECT
 To determine of environmental effects of
fish farms on marine ecosystems.
 To develop continuous real time and
central control systems
 To serve as a pilot study for other similar
projects along the coastal regions of
Turkey.
 To demonstrate interactions between
sectors

MONITORNG OF FISH FARMS BY USIND GPS

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTIONS