The Black Sea Biodiversity Workshop, organized as part of the BIOBLACK Project led by Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) in partnership with institutions from Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania, was held at our university.

The “Black Sea Biodiversity Workshop,” organized under the BIOBLACK Project within the European Union’s INTERREG NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, began under the leadership of KTU Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences. Held at the Nazım TerzioÄŸlu Amphitheatre of the Faculty of Science, the workshop brought together Acting Rector Prof. Ali TEMÄ°Z, Dean of the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences Prof. Ali Muzaffer FEYZÄ°OÄžLU, project partners from Bulgaria and Romania, representatives of public institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academics, and fishers.

“It Will Make an Important Contribution to Our Future”

Following the opening remarks by Prof. Ali Muzaffer FEYZÄ°OÄžLU, Dean of the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences, Acting Rector Prof. Ali TEMÄ°Z addressed the participants and emphasized that the biodiversity of the Black Sea is a shared heritage of the countries surrounding it. Expressing his satisfaction that KTU is leading the BIOBLACK Project, Prof. TEMÄ°Z said, “Protecting the biodiversity of the Black Sea requires shared awareness and strong cooperation. I believe that this cooperation between Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania will strengthen scientific collaboration and make an important contribution to the future of the Black Sea. I would like to thank all institutions, researchers, and stakeholders contributing to the project.”

Biodiversity Reports from Three Countries Discussed

Following the opening speeches, BIOBLACK Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Hacer SAÄžLAM from the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences provided information about the project’s aims, scope, and activities. Prof. Dr. SAÄžLAM then presented the “Current Biodiversity Status Report for the Coastal Areas of Türkiye.” During the workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sonya UZUNOVA from the Institute of Fish Resources in Varna, Bulgaria, gave a presentation on the current state of biodiversity in Bulgaria’s coastal areas, while Alexandra MARGINE presented an assessment of biodiversity along the Romanian coast.

As part of the program, Prof. Dr. CoÅŸkun ERÜZ from the KTU Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences delivered a presentation titled “Meteorological and Physical Conditions Affecting Black Sea Biodiversity.” Asst. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zeki ÅžENER introduced the three-dimensional miniature production activities carried out within the BIOBLACK Project. The first day of the workshop also covered topics including the Black Sea Food Pyramid, the citizen science-based BLACKPYRAMID mobile application, the biodiversity of the Black Sea and its importance, and the educational methodologies used in the BIOBLACK Project.

Field Research to Be Conducted in the Black Sea

Aiming to raise awareness of the monitoring and conservation of native, invasive, and threatened species in the Black Sea, the BIOBLACK Project is led by the KTU Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences in partnership with the Institute of Fish Resources from Bulgaria and Mare Nostrum from Romania. As part of the project, the “Black Sea Biodiversity Marine Survey” will be conducted on September 3 aboard KTU’s research vessel DENAR-1. During the field study, samples will be collected using plankton nets and beam trawls. The marine organisms collected will then be examined in the laboratory and introduced to the participants, with their roles in the Black Sea ecosystem also being discussed.

The activities, which aimed to bring together scientific knowledge and public awareness for the conservation of Black Sea biodiversity, concluded on September 4, 2026, following evaluation and reporting sessions.

 

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