Since 1990 and until 2011, marine monitoring activities in Turkish seas were carried out under different frameworks: in the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas within the scope of the Mediterranean Pollution Assessment and Control Programme (MED POL), and in the Black Sea in accordance with the BSIMAP Programme criteria. Since 2011, an ecosystem-based monitoring approach has been adopted, leading to the development of a unified monitoring strategy applicable to all Turkish seas. Consequently, the Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring Program was introduced.

Since 2014, the Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring Program has been regularly implemented under the coordination of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. The program ensures compliance with the European Union’s  Marine Strategy Framework Directive across all Turkish seas. Additionally, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change holds a comprehensive dataset on Good Environmental Status, which will be essential for MSP.

In 2018, Türkiye initiated the “Strategizing Türkiye’s Marine Environment” project, aiming to develop a comprehensive strategy and action plan for marine environmental protection. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals focusing on managing sea and coastal waters through an ecosystem-based approach. The project encompasses all Turkish seas, the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Aegean Sea, and involves collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center, and other relevant ministries. The outcome is a “Strategy Paper and Action Plan to Protect National Marine Environment” and “Marine Environment Status Reports” for each of Türkiye’s seas. 

The detailed information regarding the studies and projects conducted on these matters should be provided by the relevant ministries and institutions.