Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Fish Forum 2024, Antalya, Türkiye, 19 - 23 Şubat 2024, ss.1
The ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) is a holistic strategy that recognizes the intricate connections between living organisms and their environment under fishing pressure. It emphasizes the need to consider the complex web of interactions within an ecosystem when making decisions about resource use, conservation, and development. The Sea of Marmara (SoM), the northeastern most part of the Mediterranean Sea, is the most altered marine ecosystem by various human-induced pressures. It has a significant importance for fisheries in Türkiye by supporting a variety of commercially valuable fish species. The total catch dropped from a maximum amount of approximately 70,000 tonnes during the 2000s to 15,000 tonnes in 2020. Mean trophic level of catch decreased from 3.75 to 3.25 meaning withdrawal of predatory species such as European hake, turbot, and Atlantic bonito during 2000s resulted to increases in anchovy, Mediterranean horse mackerel and deep-water pink shrimp. The continuous decline and overall negative values in fishing in balance index is related to declines in both the catch and the mean trophic level which indicates that fisheries are no longer efficient in the SoM. The capacity of its ecosystem has decreased significantly in the last decades and its ecosystem has become constantly vulnerable to human-induced pressures. Here, recommendations based on EAF key principles such as precautionary approaches and adaptive management options are provided. Implementing those measures may enhance the resilience of the SoM ecosystem, safeguard its biodiversity, and ensure the sustainability of fisheries for future generations.