Several institutions and ministries in Türkiye have undertaken many projects and initiatives related to MSP to support sustainable marine resource management and comply with international obligations.

• The Blue Economy and Marine Spatial Planning Project is implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure with Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law (DEHUKAM). The project aims to conduct the necessary research, analysis, reporting, and other activities deemed essential by the Ministry to achieve the objectives set within the framework of the blue economy and marine spatial planning.
• The Project for Capacity Building in Marine Environmental Law within the Framework of the Barcelona Convention and Other International Documents was conducted under the leadership of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change with DEHUKAM. Within the scope of the project legal and technical research has been conducted on the concept of the blue economy and MSP from a legal perspective. As a result, two guideline documents have been developed for blue economy and MSP.
• The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change is conducting the Sea of Marmara Integrated Modeling System (MARMOD) projects in collaboration with the METU Institute of Marine Sciences^[1]. As part of this project, a 3D hydrodynamic model of the Sea of Marmara is being developed, along with a 3D ecosystem model integrated into it. This model is used to determine the changes resulting from different scenarios, in which the nutrient load from all point and diffuse sources entering the Sea of Marmara either increases or decreases.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has undertaken projects such as the “Development of a National Water Quality Ecological Assessment System for Türkiye” and the “Development of a National Hydrological, Water Quality, and Ecological Modeling Tool for the Sustainable Management of Water Resources.” These projects have produced data that can be utilized in MSP studies^[2].
• The “Addressing Invasive Alien Species Threats at Key Marine Biodiversity Areas Project” is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This initiative aims to prevent, detect, control, and manage invasive alien species to strengthen the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems. Integrating MSP into this effort ensures a strategic approach to ecosystem-based management, helping to mitigate the impact of invasive species while promoting the sustainable use of marine resources.
• The “Advancing Black Sea Research and Innovation to Co-Develop Blue Growth within Resilient Ecosystems” project was conducted under the coordination of METU and aims to advance the Black Sea’s marine research and innovation to co-develop Blue Growth pathways under multi-stressors for the sustainable utilization of ecosystem services. To achieve this, it will develop an ecosystem-based management framework to enable policy uptake and foster citizen engagement. This project contributes to MSP by providing valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of the Black Sea, helping to identify areas for conservation, sustainable fisheries, and marine spatial management.
• The Black Sea CONNECT project serves as a strategic coordination effort to advance marine research and innovation in the Black Sea region, fostering collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders. The project supports the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda to enhance sustainable Blue Growth and ecosystem resilience. By generating scientific data, facilitating cross-border cooperation, and promoting an integrated approach to marine governance, Black Sea CONNECT provides valuable insights for MSP.
• BLUEMISSONMED Lighthouse coordinating and supporting the innovation ecosystem for a Healthy Pollution free Mediterranean Sea Project plays a key role in coordinating and supporting the innovation ecosystem for a healthy, pollution-free Mediterranean Sea. By fostering collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders, the project accelerates the development of innovative solutions to address marine pollution and enhance ecosystem resilience. Through its data-driven approach, BLUEMISSIONMED provides critical insights that support MSP by identifying pollution hotspots, assessing cumulative environmental impacts, and guiding sustainable marine management strategies.
• The “Ecosystem-Based Monitoring and Management Plan for Clean Mediterranean” project focuses on developing a comprehensive framework to monitor and manage marine ecosystems, ensuring a cleaner and healthier Mediterranean Sea. By utilizing ecosystem-based approaches, the project enhances the assessment of environmental pressures, improves pollution control strategies, and supports sustainable marine resource management. The data and methodologies generated through this initiative provide valuable inputs for MSP, enabling more effective spatial decision-making.
• The “Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring Program 2020-2023 – MEDITERRANEAN” aims to systematically assess and track pollution levels across the Mediterranean Sea, providing essential data for environmental management and policy development. By identifying pollution sources, monitoring trends, and evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures, the program enhances regional cooperation in marine protection. The comprehensive datasets and scientific analyses generated through this initiative offer crucial insights for MSP, enabling more informed spatial decision-making.
• The “Addressing Invasive Alien Species Threats at Key Marine Biodiversity Areas Project” is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). This initiative aims to prevent, detect, control, and manage invasive alien species to strengthen the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems. Integrating MSP into this effort ensures a strategic approach to ecosystem-based management, helping to mitigate the impact of invasive species while promoting the sustainable use of marine resources.
• The “Advancing Black Sea Research and Innovation to Co-Develop Blue Growth within Resilient Ecosystems” project was conducted under the coordination of METU and aims to advance the Black Sea’s marine research and innovation to co-develop Blue Growth pathways under multi-stressors for the sustainable utilization of ecosystem services. To achieve this, it will develop an ecosystem-based management framework to enable policy uptake and foster citizen engagement. This project contributes to MSP by providing valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of the Black Sea, helping to identify areas for conservation, sustainable fisheries, and marine spatial management.
• The Black Sea CONNECT project serves as a strategic coordination effort to advance marine research and innovation in the Black Sea region, fostering collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders. The project supports the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda to enhance sustainable Blue Growth and ecosystem resilience. By generating scientific data, facilitating cross-border cooperation, and promoting an integrated approach to marine governance, Black Sea CONNECT provides valuable insights for MSP.
• BLUEMISSONMED Lighthouse coordinating and supporting the innovation ecosystem for a Healthy Pollution free Mediterranean Sea Project plays a key role in coordinating and supporting the innovation ecosystem for a healthy, pollution-free Mediterranean Sea. By fostering collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders, the project accelerates the development of innovative solutions to address marine pollution and enhance ecosystem resilience. Through its data-driven approach, BLUEMISSIONMED provides critical insights that support MSP by identifying pollution hotspots, assessing cumulative environmental impacts, and guiding sustainable marine management strategies.
• The “Ecosystem-Based Monitoring and Management Plan for Clean Mediterranean” project focuses on developing a comprehensive framework to monitor and manage marine ecosystems, ensuring a cleaner and healthier Mediterranean Sea. By utilizing ecosystem-based approaches, the project enhances the assessment of environmental pressures, improves pollution control strategies, and supports sustainable marine resource management. The data and methodologies generated through this initiative provide valuable inputs for MSP, enabling more effective spatial decision-making.
• The “Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring Program 2020-2023 – MEDITERRANEAN” aims to systematically assess and track pollution levels across the Mediterranean Sea, providing essential data for environmental management and policy development. By identifying pollution sources, monitoring trends, and evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures, the program enhances regional cooperation in marine protection. The comprehensive datasets and scientific analyses generated through this initiative offer crucial insights for MSP, enabling more informed spatial decision-making.

[1] <https://marmod.ims.metu.edu.tr>

[2] <https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/SYGM/Belgeler/Projeler%202024/Tamamlanan%20Projeler%20.pdf>.