OVERVIEW OF MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING RELATED USES AND ISSUES
Türkiye is surrounded by the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The Sea of Marmara is an internal sea of Türkiye separating the Asian and European parts of the country. This means that there is a great variety of uses and activities throughout Turkish seas, and that many uses and activities exist in high density. MSP aims to ensure that all maritime activities are carried out with maximum benefit and minimal harm to the environment. Indicatively, but not exhaustively, you can find in the Turkish seas:
Key Maritime Sectors in Türkiye
Fisheries & Aquaculture
Conventional and industrial fisheries and aquaculture activities are intensively carried out in Türkiye’s maritime jurisdiction areas and contribute significantly to the Turkish economy. Türkiye’s fishing fleet, which carries out traditional and industrial fishing activities, is among the largest in the Mediterranean with a capacity of around 18,000 vessels. Through this capacity, 93% of fishing activities in Türkiye are conducted primarily at sea.
In this framework, a total of 420,000 tons of fish were caught in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara in 2023 and Türkiye is the largest fish catching country in the Black Sea. In addition to fishing activities in these seas, aquaculture activities are intensively carried out through fish farms. Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data for 2024 reveals that in Türkiye, 272,000 tons of fish and aquaculture products worth 1.7 billion USD were exported, while 105,000 tons of fish worth 279 million USD were imported.
Fishing and aquaculture activities are intensively carried out by local people, especially in coastal cities, and provide an important source of livelihood. There are several fishing shelters and boat yards along the coastline to provide storage and repair services to support these activities.
Fishing activities carried out in Turkish maritime jurisdiction areas are regulated or partially restricted in order to protect biodiversity and fish stocks, taking into account maritime areas, fish species and varieties and seasonal criteria. In addition, fishing activities are completely prohibited in certain areas in order to protect biodiversity and habitats.
Coastal & Marine Tourism
Marine and coastal tourism in Türkiye encompasses a wide range of activities, including yachting, cruise, and water sports. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of Türkiye are home to numerous historic shipwrecks of significant archaeological value. Preserving and integrating these cultural assets into tourism would not only enhance awareness of Türkiye’s underwater cultural heritage but also contribute to the blue economy by providing sustainable income opportunities for local communities.
According to data released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 62.26 million tourists visited Türkiye in 2024. In addition, a total of 61.1 billion dollars in tourism revenue was achieved from tourism in 2024. These figures indicate a strong growth trend in Türkiye’s tourism sector and its increasing economic contributions. In this context, marine tourism plays a crucial role in the blue economy, creating significant value for coastal states while also requiring careful consideration from an environmental sustainability perspective.
As of 2024, the number of Blue Flag-certified beaches, marinas, yachts, and tourism boats in Türkiye reflects the growing emphasis on environmentally sustainable tourism. Across the country, 567 beaches, 27 marinas, 9 yachts, and 18 tourism boats have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag certification. These figures highlight Türkiye’s commitment to promoting eco-friendly tourism, particularly in its coastal regions, and its adherence to sustainability standards.
Globally, Türkiye ranks third in the number of Blue Flag-certified beaches and yachts and seventh in Blue Flag-certified marinas. With a total of 624 certified sites, the country holds the third position worldwide. This achievement enhances Türkiye’s reputation as an environmentally responsible destination in the global tourism market, contributing significantly to both environmental conservation and economic growth.
Offshore Renewable Energy
According to the “Expanding Offshore Wind to Emerging Markets” report published by the World Bank in October 2019, the Aegean region’s northwest, where wind speeds can reach 9 m/s, has been identified as the area with the highest offshore wind energy potential in Türkiye. From a technical perspective, this region has a total potential of 25 GW, with 6 GW fixed and 19 GW floating. The Aegean region is followed by the Marmara and Black Sea regions, where wind speeds reach 7-8 m/s. When considering all potential areas together, Türkiye’s total offshore wind energy potential is identified as 18 GW fixed and 57 GW floating, amounting to 75 GW in total. In a study conducted by the Global Wind Energy Council in 2022, Türkiye was included among the top 30 countries most suitable for floating offshore wind energy.
Oil & Gas Exploration
Türkiye’s maritime areas have hydrocarbon potential. The Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea, Gulf of Saros, and the Sea of Marmara have been identified as key regions where TPAO plans to conduct exploration activities, including seismic data collection and drilling operations under existing and upcoming licenses.
Maritime Transport & Ports
Türkiye is an important global logistics network hub for maritime trade, due to the importance of its geopolitical position as a transit zone between Europe and Asia and the possession of the Turkish Straits, one of the most critical straits in the world. In this framework, Türkiye has 180 ports of different capacities and 85 shipyards spread along its coastline, which serve to better serve ships visiting Türkiye and to support and develop world trade. Many services are provided to ships at ports within the scope of international conventions to which Türkiye is a party and national regulations, and various inspections are carried out to protect the marine environment.
Approximately 61 thousand ships visited ports in Türkiye in 2024. In addition to the ships visiting the ports, approximately 40,000 ships passed through the Turkish Straits in 2024. In addition, 531 million 737 thousand 358 tons of cargo was handled at the ports.
In order to develop plans and strategies for Türkiye’s maritime transportation sector, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has developed the 2053 Transport and Logistics Master Plan.
Marine and Coastal Protected Areas
Special Environmental Protection Areas are designated under a Presidency decision to safeguard ecologically significant regions in Türkiye that face degradation or extinction risks due to industrialization, tourism, and urban development pressures. This designation aligns with Türkiye’s obligations under the Barcelona Convention, which requires signatory states to protect critical marine and coastal ecosystems. Managed by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Special Environmental Protection Areas encompass a diverse range of habitats, including underwater mountains, wetlands, and sites of historical and natural significance. These areas play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation while promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is also responsible for managing various protected areas across Türkiye. These include national parks, natural monuments, nature conservation areas, natural sites, and wetlands. These designated areas aim to preserve biodiversity, safeguard natural and associated cultural resources, and ensure their long-term sustainability.
Underwater Cultural Heritage
In recent years, the preservation of underwater archaeological sites has gained importance in terms of dive tourism and the international promotion of cultural heritage. International organizations such as UNESCO provide valuable guidance to coastal states on marine tourism and heritage conservation. Türkiye actively participates in efforts to protect underwater cultural heritage and promote sustainable marine tourism, strengthening its contribution to the blue economy.
In Türkiye, there are prohibited areas for diving designated to protect underwater movable and immovable cultural and natural heritage from negative impacts resulting from ongoing or future activities. These areas are protected through the processes defined in Article 35 of Law No. 2863 on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage and the Regulation on the Procedures and Principles for the Identification of Prohibited Areas for Diving in Regions with Underwater Cultural and Natural Heritage. Activities carried out under the law are monitored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the protection of these areas is overseen by the Turkish Coast Guard Command.
According to Decision No. 725 on Aquaculture Production and Breeding Facilities under Law No. 2863, it is stated that: “… aquaculture production and breeding facilities cannot be established in sites and areas bordering sites, as well as in regions where cultural and natural heritage sites requiring protection under Article 35 of Law No. 2863 are located, and in areas where diving is prohibited by the Council of Ministers’ Decision.” The coordinates of underwater cultural heritage areas in Türkiye’s maritime areas are published in Council of Ministers’ Decision No. 8743 and the Official Gazette No. 29717.
There are 76 areas/regions in Türkiye’s underwater cultural heritage areas that have been designated as prohibited areas for diving. Under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s permits, underwater archaeological excavations and surface surveys are conducted annually. Additionally, efforts to identify and declare prohibited areas for diving in necessary locations continue. Moreover, for underwater cultural heritage areas, excavation and surface survey works are carried out as needed, and the areas are placed under protection.
National Defense Areas
Within and beyond the maritime jurisdiction areas of the Republic of Türkiye, there are prohibited military zones and military training zones. These areas are those that have been reported to relevant international organizations and are available in public sources.
