Our University supports and organises numerous events aimed at protecting seas and other aquatic ecosystems, reducing marine pollution, supporting marine biodiversity, promoting sustainable fisheries, reducing the environmental impacts of ghost nets and abandoned fishing gear, and encouraging the sustainable use of aquatic resources.
A significant proportion of these activities is carried out by our University’s Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences, Department of Marine Sciences and Technology Engineering, and Department of Fisheries Technology Engineering. Our University also collaborates with local authorities, fisheries cooperatives, public institutions, students, children, sector representatives, and national/international stakeholders to communicate scientific knowledge and good practices related to marine conservation to different segments of society.
BlackNETs Project: A Systematic Programme of Activities for the Protection of the Black Sea
One of our University’s most comprehensive initiatives for marine conservation in 2025 was the European Union-supported BlackNETs – “Let’s Eliminate the Black Sea’s Silent Killers” Project.
The project aims to reduce the environmental and socio-economic impacts of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Within the scope of BlackNETs, various educational, awareness-raising, workshop, and field activities were organised in 2025 for children, young people, local fishers, public institutions, local authorities, and national stakeholders.
During the project’s 18-month implementation period, completed at the end of 2025, 9,344.9 kg of fishing gear were removed from the Black Sea, areas with high concentrations of fishing nets were mapped, more than 15 educational workshops were organised for young people, and national and regional workshops were held in countries bordering the Black Sea. This scale demonstrates that our University’s activities for marine conservation were not isolated events, but rather part of a systematic and continuous programme.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/blacknets
2025 Results:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/haber/blacknets-projesi-aralik-2025-basin-bulteni
Ghost Net Removal Operation: Direct Protection of Marine Ecosystems
On 20 May 2025, our University carried out a ghost net removal operation within the scope of the BlackNETs Project to protect sensitive coastal benthic ecosystems.
During the operation, a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) was used to map the seabed, identify areas containing ghost nets, and support divers in removing the detected nets from the marine environment.
Considering that ghost nets may continue catching marine organisms for years and can threaten habitats, this activity represents a practical action by our University for the direct protection of marine life and benthic habitats. Our University also communicated to the public the importance of regular mapping and clean-up activities for the recovery of the Black Sea ecosystem.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/baltekmuh/haber/blacknets-projesi-ile-ag-temizleme-operasyonu
Marine Science and Marine Conservation Education for Children
On 29–30 April 2025, practical marine science education activities were organised for children through cooperation between the BlackNETs Project and the “Every School Should Have a Project (HOPO) – Children of the North Love Fish” initiative.
Students received information on:
Students also participated in practical activities such as net making, visiting fish tanks and marine biology laboratories, and beach clean-ups. In this way, marine conservation was not addressed only theoretically, but was also reinforced through hands-on activities involving direct student participation.
Environmental and Sustainability Workshop with Local Fishers
In 2025, our University organised an environmental and sustainability workshop directly targeting local fishers and hosted by the Yomra Fishers’ Cooperative.
The workshop was organised through cooperation between Ortahisar Municipality, Yomra Municipality, and our University’s Faculty of Marine Sciences. It addressed fishing nets, marine litter, packaging waste, and waste oils that threaten the Black Sea ecosystem.
Our University academics provided information on marine conservation and combating ghost nets, while fishers and local residents were invited to share their questions, suggestions, and feedback. In addition, awareness campaigns and educational activities were initiated on the recycling of fishing nets and the separate collection of waste oils.
This activity is a strong example of our University working directly with local communities to support the sustainable use of marine resources.
Zero Waste and Clean Seas Event in Yomra
On 15 May 2025, an environmental event themed “Zero Waste and Clean Seas” was organised at the Yomra Fisheries Cooperative in cooperation with Yomra Municipality and our University.
In addition to our University academics, many fishers and members of the public participated in the event. Participants were informed about the protection of marine ecosystems, sustainable fisheries, and the zero-waste approach.
This activity represents an important community-oriented event in terms of transferring academic knowledge on marine conservation directly to fishers and the wider public.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/baltekmuh/haber/yomrada-sifir-atik-ve-temiz-denizler-icin-ornek-etkinlik-w
BlackNETs National Stakeholder Workshop
Our University’s activities on marine conservation are not limited to the local level. On 22 October 2025, the BlackNETs Project National Stakeholder Workshop was held in Trabzon.
Through this workshop, scientific knowledge and practical experience on ghost nets, lost and abandoned fishing gear, and reducing their impacts on marine ecosystems were shared with national stakeholders.
Such workshops support joint action among universities, public institutions, industry, and other stakeholders on the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/haber/blacknets-projesi-ulusal-paydas-calistayi-gerceklestirildi
Public Awareness on Marine Litter and Ghost Nets
In 2025, our University also used media and public communication activities to reach broader sections of society on marine conservation issues.
For example, on 11 November 2025, our University faculty member Prof. Dr. CoÅŸkun Erüz informed the public on TRT Trabzon Radio about “Marine Litter and Ghost Nets in the Black Sea.” National and international workshops were also organised within the scope of BlackNETs during the same year.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/denizbiltek/etkinlikler
National Event on the Sustainable Use of Fisheries and Marine Resources
Our University hosted the 7th Türkiye Fisheries Seminars on 3–4 November 2025.
The event brought together our University and stakeholders from the fisheries sector, providing a platform for knowledge exchange on the use of marine and aquatic resources, fisheries production, and current sectoral practices.
Such events are important for promoting the scientific and sustainable management of food resources and fisheries derived from marine ecosystems.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/deniz/etkinlik/7-turkiye-su-urunleri-seminerleri
Grand Black Sea Forum for the Future of the Black Sea
Our University organised the “Grand Black Sea Forum – Carrying the Black Sea into the Future through Knowledge, Technology and Cooperation” on 10–12 December 2025.
The Forum provided an opportunity to discuss scientific, technological, and collaborative approaches to the future of the Black Sea Region. Academics from the Department of Marine Sciences and Technology Engineering also delivered presentations within the programme.
Evidence:
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/makina/etkinlik/buyuk-karadeniz-forumu
Our University institutionally supports and organises numerous events promoting the conservation of oceans, seas, and other aquatic ecosystems and the sustainable use of marine resources.
In 2025, these activities were particularly concentrated within the BlackNETs Project and included the removal of ghost nets and abandoned fishing gear from the sea, seabed mapping, marine science education for children and young people, awareness workshops with local fishers, recycling of fishing nets, coastal clean-up activities, zero-waste and clean-sea initiatives, and national and regional stakeholder workshops.
