Buoys to be deployed to protect seagrass meadows in the İstanbul Strait (Bosphorus)

The “Future of the Seas:  Seagrass Meadows” project, initiated by İşbank in collaboration with TUDAV, enters buoying phase.  The project will use temperature measurement devices on research buoys in the İstanbul Strait and the Sea of Marmara to gather regular data, enabling monitoring of the impacts of climate change.

The vaults to which the designed buoys will be attached will enhance species diversity in the Sea of Marmara, while the project will also raise awareness among fishing, diving, and navigation activities in the region. 

İşbank remains committed to preserving seas and marine resources while promoting ecological balance and sustainability. The “Future of the Seas: Seagrass Meadows" project, launched last year by the Bank in collaboration with the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV), has now entered the buoying phase. 

A press conference was held off the coast of Beykoz, with İzlem Erdem, İşbank Executive Vice President and Sustainability Leader, and Prof. Dr. Bayram Öztürk, TUDAV President, participating in the event where buoys were deployed for the new phase of the project. 

Erdem: “There is an urgent need to develop solutions for the seas"

During her speech, İzlem Erdem, İşbank Executive Vice President and Sustainability Leader, emphasized the critical responsibilities of all institutions in addressing the threat of climate change, underscoring the urgent need to develop sustainable solutions and take conscientious steps to protect marine biodiversity, reduce pollution, and preserve these natural wonders for future generations.

Emphasizing their goal to contribute to sea conservation, advance scientific knowledge, and enhance research capacity through initiatives launched with the approach of “The seas are ours, the future is ours," Erdem added:

“Through the 'Future of the Seas: Seagrass Meadows' project, initiated last year, our goal is to map and protect the critical Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows in the Marmara Sea, ensuring their cleanliness by removing waste.  In our first year, the discovery of two new seagrass areas, often referred to as the lungs of the seas, was a promising development for the oxygen-depleted Marmara Sea. We are delighted by the recognition of our efforts, which further fueled our motivation for future endeavors. As we embark on our 100th anniversary, we are entering a new phase to amplify the project's impact, commencing buoying efforts."

İzlem Erdem highlighted that as part of its strategy to reduce emissions from its direct operations, İşbank has advanced its target to achieve carbon neutrality from 2035 to 2026, and that it has committed to significant reductions in emissions associated with the loans it provides as a member of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance. Erdem remarked, “Our initiatives to preserve ecological balance in nature and sustain life extend beyond the seas. In our centennial year, we revived our '81 Forests in 81 Provinces' project, originally conducted from 2008 to 2017 to expand forested areas across Türkiye, safeguarding nature and fostering environmental awareness for future generations. We have committed to planting 2.2 million saplings nationwide over the next five years."

Öztürk: “The buoys will also monitor climate change"

Prof. Dr. Bayram Öztürk, TUDAV President, announced that in the upcoming phase of the project, a total of 10 eye bolts and buoys will be deployed in areas where seagrass coverage begins starting from July, noting:  

“This will mark the first time in the Marmara Sea that we will deploy buoys not only aimed at seagrass conservation but also equipped with systems to monitor climate change. The increasing temperatures of seawater are among the most critical indicators of global warming. The seawater temperature data collected regularly by the temperature measuring devices placed on the buoys as part of the project will significantly contribute to our understanding of the impacts of climate change. We believe that the platforms to which the buoys will be anchored will eventually create habitats for cuttlefish and squid in the Marmara Sea. Additionally, our goal is to increase awareness among activities conducted in the area (such as fishing, diving, water sports, boat and ship transits, etc.) with the deployment of these eye bolts and buoys in seagrass areas. We would like to emphasize the importance of avoiding any damage to the total of 10 buoys."

Öztürk underlined that permission was obtained from all relevant authorities for the buoys, ensuring that they do not restrict fishing areas as they are positioned in shallow waters.

New Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds discovered in Marmara

Öztürk provided an update on previous project studies, stating, “In 2023, we discovered new Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds in Marmara and published our findings in scientific journals. Three new areas totaling five thousand square meters have become new habitats for this flowering plant. As is known, the Marmara Islands represent the most recent distribution areas of these meadows. Additionally, by December 2023, we have conducted sea and seagrass training sessions for over 4,000 primary and secondary school students across 20 schools in Marmara Island, Avşa Island, Erdek center, and surrounding villages." 

Seagrass meadows: Habitats of vital importance for marine species

Launched in September 2023 by İşbank and TUDAV, the “Future of the Seas: Seagrass Meadows" project aims to map, clean, and protect the critical Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows essential for the health of the Marmara Sea, while adopting the approach of “The world is ours, the future is ours."

In the new phase of the project, for the first time, research buoying is taking place in the İstanbul Strait. The first two buoys were deployed near Büyük Liman and Beykoz - Sultaniye, areas inhabited by the seagrass species known as Zostera marina or eelgrass. In July, an additional eight new research buoys will be deployed in areas with seagrass meadows, including Narlı Village and Paşalimanı Island in the Marmara Islands region.

Seagrass meadows serve as vital habitats for numerous marine species, offering breeding, feeding, and shelter opportunities for various organisms including fish and invertebrates. For instance, the seagrass meadows around the Marmara Islands harbor a diverse array of marine life, including common two-banded sea bream, picarel, damselfish, seahorses, sea needles, crabs, shrimp, pinnas, squid, and cuttlefish. Conserving seagrass meadows is essential for maintaining the healthy life cycles of these species.  The project aims to safeguard these critical areas and enhance public awareness to sustain healthy and balanced marine ecosystems.

 - A buoy is a floating object anchored securely in the sea, equipped with rings to moor boats, used to indicate positions, mark locations, signal hazards, or guide passage.

 - An eye bolt is a stationary ring used to attach hooks and secure ropes on decks or other appropriate locations.

 - A reef vault is a concrete block or similar structure placed on the seabed to create artificial reefs or provide anchorage for marine installations. It enhances species diversity by creating new habitats for marine species.