Marmara’s last oxygen reservoir documented and safeguarded

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İşbank continues to build upon its collaborations, driven by the motto “The world is ours, the future is ours". The “Future of the Seas: Seagrass Meadows" project, a joint endeavor by the Bank and the Turkish Marine Research Foundation, is dedicated to mapping and safeguarding the vital seagrass meadows, the life-supporting ecosystem of the Marmara Sea. ​

Embracing the approach of “The world is ours, the future is ours" with the aim of protecting the seas and marine resources and supporting ecological balance and sustainability, İşbank continues to enhance its contributions to marine studies. The collaborative “Future of the Seas: Seagrass Meadows" project, a joint effort between İşbank and the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TÜDAV), is dedicated to the mapping, preservation, and restoration of the remaining Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, essential for the well-being of the Marmara Sea.

A press conference was held with the participation of Gamze Yalçın, Deputy CEO and Sustainability Leader of İşbank, and Prof. Bayram Öztürk, President of TÜDAV, to discuss the “Future of the Seas: Seagrass Meadows" project.  

“Raising awareness about seagrass is important"

During her address at the meeting, Gamze Yalçın highlighted TÜDAV's extensive 26-year commitment to safeguarding our seas through valuable projects and comprehensive scientific initiatives by creating a scientific network dedicated to monitoring the ecological state, identifying challenges, and proposing effective solutions and said, “Together, we have now embarked on a very important journey for the protection of our seas, seagrass meadows in particular. Today, seagrass meadows, the oxygen reservoirs of our seas, have significantly diminished due to pollution and a lack of awareness. Just as it is crucial to preserve our forests, often called the lungs of our planet, to ensure a better world for future generations, it is equally vital to safeguard seagrass meadows. Seagrass meadows serve as the lungs for the seas, generating oxygen and offering a habitat for marine organisms to thrive. In the upcoming studies addressing this matter, it is imperative to recognize that raising awareness and fostering a collective consciousness about seagrass within society is just as crucial as the project's implementation itself."

Contribution to the expansion of scientific knowledge and the enhancement of research capacity

Yalçın emphasized their commitment to addressing sustainability as a top-tier priority within their business plans, aimed at contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and underscored the significance of the goals outlined in the 14^th item, “Life in Water", especially for our country, which is bordered by seas on three sides. Yalçın stated that one of their primary objectives is to actively promote the expansion of scientific knowledge and the enhancement of research capacity for this purpose and went on to add: “Firstly, we hosted the Marmara Sea 2022 Symposium, organized for the third time by TÜDAV. Under the direction of Savaş Karakaş, we initiated our documentary journey with 'One Hope: Marmara'. This documentary delves into the repercussions of mucilage on local marine life, offering solutions. Subsequently, we released 'Traces in the Water: Deep Blue', the first installment of this documentary series. Moreover, by launching the 'Let's Protect the Seas Loan' in order to finance investments to reduce marine pollution, we have contributed to the prevention of waste, which is a major source of pollution for our seas. In partnership with the Institute of Marine Sciences at the Middle East Technical University (METU), we provided the 'Explorer of the Seas', an unmanned underwater glider employed for the first time in Turkey, for their research and exploration endeavors. We remain committed to assuming our responsibility for the safeguarding of our seas and biodiversity in the times ahead."

The economic benefit to the ecosystem surpasses the contribution of agricultural regions

Prof. Bayram Öztürk, President of TÜDAV, highlighted that research on the economic advantages of seagrass meadows for the ecosystem reveals their greater contribution compared to the benefits derived from agricultural areas.   When discussing the role of seagrass meadows within the ecosystem, Prof. Öztürk explained, “The leaves of Posidonia oceanica, after completing their life cycle, accumulate along the shoreline, forming natural berms through the influence of currents and waves.   These formations protect the coastline, prevent erosion and ensure the survival of numerous marine species. P. oceanica, in addition, establishes dense underwater meadows, offering shelter to a multitude of living beings while serving as a food source for herbivorous species. Furthermore, it is home to many organisms, providing shelter, protection, and serving as a crucial site for spawning and reproduction. Thanks to its carbon sequestration properties, it combats climate change."

Mapping and cleaning activities to be accompanied by awareness-raising trainings

Prof. Öztürk emphasized that seagrass meadows face significant peril today due to destruction stemming from intensive coastal utilization, notably stemming from domestic and industrial waste, seafloor scanning for fishing purposes, ship and boat anchor drops, aquaculture operations, tourism, and daily tourist activities.   Prof. Öztürk stated that the “Future of the Seas: Seagrass Meadows" project will define and map the extents of seagrass meadows in Erdek, Paşalimanı Island. Additionally, he explained that invasive species, such as the sea snail (Rapana venosa), will be removed from these areas through diving efforts, ultimately restoring the ecosystem to its indigenous inhabitants.   

Explaining that the “Future of the Seas: Seagrass Meadows" project will encompass the revelation of species diversity and the implementation of feasibility studies for buoying and mapping to identify the precise locations of seagrass meadows, Prof. Öztürk also mentioned that efforts will be made to clean up “ghost nets" left behind by fishermen, as they often become entangled on seabed rocks during fishing activities.   Highlighting the project's objective to enhance public awareness, Prof. Öztürk said, “We will conduct awareness-raising training sessions in 30 primary and secondary schools. Safeguarding the last remnants of seagrass meadows in the Marmara Sea is our duty to future generations, and we are striving to fulfilling this responsibility."

1 square meter generates 14 liters of oxygen daily

P. oceanica meadows are found throughout the Mediterranean region, thriving in temperatures ranging from 11 to 29°C in saline and clear waters and are typically situated at depths ranging from 0 to 45 meters. These flowering plants, through the process of photosynthesis, enrich the water with oxygen and play a vital role in regulating bottom sediment movement. Their long leaves, horizontally extending stems, and roots help in trapping suspended particles and preventing sedimentation in the water. A 1-square-meter area of the meadows can generate 14 liters of oxygen daily. 1 hectare of the meadows can sequester 1024 tons of carbon annually.