Karadeniz Technical University actively collaborated in 2025 with local authorities, fishers, fisheries cooperatives, schools, students, non-governmental organisations, and other regional stakeholders in order to protect shared coastal, marine, delta, and other aquatic ecosystems, particularly the Black Sea.
These collaborations are not limited to scientific research. They also include direct conservation activities such as reducing marine pollution, preventing ghost nets, promoting sustainable fisheries, protecting aquatic biodiversity, raising awareness about invasive alien species, and strengthening environmental responsibility among children and local communities.
Collaboration with Local Fishers and Stakeholders through the BlackNETs Project
One of our University’s most important collaborations for shared aquatic ecosystems in 2025 was carried out within the scope of the BlackNETs Project. Implemented under the European Union Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, the project aims to reduce the environmental pressure caused by abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear in the Black Sea.
Within the project, KTU has not only conducted research and seafloor investigations but has also worked directly with fishers, fisheries cooperatives, local authorities, and local communities on joint activities addressing marine pollution and ghost nets.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/blacknets
Environmental Awareness Collaboration with Ortahisar Municipality and Fishers in Yomra
In 2025, within the scope of the BlackNETs Project, KTU collaborated with Ortahisar Municipality to organise an environmental awareness meeting with fishers in Yomra.
During this activity, local fishers discussed issues threatening the Black Sea ecosystem, including:
This activity represents a direct partnership bringing together the University, the municipality, and the local fishing community for the protection of the shared Black Sea coastal ecosystem. The problems and experiences of local fishers were also considered during the process, enabling mutual interaction between scientific knowledge and local knowledge.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/haberler
Related 2025 Activities:
https://surdurulebilirlik.ktu.edu.tr/marinetechnology/allnews
BlackNETs National Stakeholder Workshop
In 2025, KTU also organised broader participatory activities under BlackNETs that brought together different institutions and stakeholders, in addition to individual awareness-raising activities.
On 22 October 2025, the BlackNETs National Stakeholder Workshop was held in Trabzon. The workshop brought together the knowledge and experience of different stakeholders on the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, reduction of ghost nets, and sustainable use of marine resources.
Such stakeholder workshops demonstrate that, in the management of shared marine ecosystems, the University does not act only as a producer of scientific data, but also as a facilitator of collaboration among local and regional actors.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/haberler
2025 Activity List:
https://surdurulebilirlik.ktu.edu.tr/marinetechnology/allnews
Collaboration with Ortahisar Municipality for World Environment Day
Another example of KTU’s cooperation with local authorities for the protection of aquatic ecosystems was its participation in the World Environment Day activities organised by Ortahisar Municipality on 19 June 2025.
Through the BlackNETs Project, KTU participated in the municipality’s environmental activities and contributed to public awareness on issues including zero waste, marine litter, ghost nets, and protection of the Black Sea ecosystem.
This cooperation helped transfer the University’s scientific knowledge to a broader local community through the municipality and contributed to increasing public participation in the protection of shared coastal ecosystems.
Collaboration with Local Schools: BlackNETs–HOPO Programme
Our University also considers the participation of children and young people important for the long-term protection of shared aquatic ecosystems.
In this context, on 29–30 April 2025, a collaboration was carried out between the BlackNETs Project and the “Every School Should Have a Project (HOPO) – Children of the North Love Fish” programme.
During the activities, students received education and participated in practical activities on:
This initiative enabled knowledge on the protection of aquatic ecosystems to be transferred to the local community through a partnership between the University and local schools, while also helping develop environmental responsibility among future generations.
Raising Marine Litter Awareness in the Local Community through BlackNETs and LitOUTer Collaboration
In 2025, BlackNETs activities carried out by KTU were also linked with the previously implemented LitOUTer Project and transformed into environmental awareness activities targeting the local community.
At activities held at Prof. Ä°hsan Koz Primary School, students, teachers, and families were informed about marine litter, ghost nets, abandoned fishing gear, and the protection of the Black Sea ecosystem.
This activity represents a community-based aquatic ecosystem conservation initiative built on interaction between the University, school, and families.
Local and Regional Collaboration in the Kızılırmak Delta through the IASON+ Project
Another important initiative of KTU for the protection of shared aquatic ecosystems is implemented within the scope of the IASON+ Project.
The project aims to monitor invasive alien species in delta and wetland ecosystems across the Black Sea basin, assess their impacts on biodiversity, and develop management approaches for the protection of ecosystem services.
In 2025, the KTU team conducted field studies in the Kızılırmak Delta and assessed the distribution and ecological impacts of invasive aquatic species in the area.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/iason
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/haberler
Local Stakeholder Participation through the IASON+ Information Day
Within the scope of IASON+, an Information Day was held in Bafra on 27 October 2025. This event enabled scientific studies concerning the protection of the Kızılırmak Delta, a shared and environmentally sensitive wetland ecosystem, to be communicated to local and regional stakeholders.
Information-sharing and stakeholder engagement activities support the involvement of local communities and relevant institutions in managing environmental challenges such as invasive alien species, which cannot be addressed through scientific monitoring alone.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/haberler
2025 IASON+ Activities:
https://surdurulebilirlik.ktu.edu.tr/marinetechnology/allnews
Protecting the Shared Black Sea Ecosystem through International Collaboration
The Black Sea is a shared aquatic ecosystem used by several countries. Therefore, KTU’s collaborative approach is not limited to local activities in Trabzon.
Within the BlackNETs and IASON+ projects, joint activities are carried out with institutions in Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, and other countries in the Black Sea basin, in addition to Türkiye. In this way, knowledge and practices developed at the local level contribute to addressing shared ecological challenges of the Black Sea at a transboundary scale.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/blacknets
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/iason
Karadeniz Technical University actively engages in multi-dimensional collaboration with local communities and relevant stakeholders in 2025 to protect and sustain shared aquatic ecosystems.
