The 1st Project Steering Committee Meeting of the EU-funded Project “Strengthening Marine Ecosystem Connectivity in Southwestern Türkiye through a Network of Marine Protected Areas Enhancing Climate Change Resilience” was held on 27 April 2026, hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, the Directorate General for European Union and Foreign Relations, the Directorate General for Environmental Management, the Directorate General for Spatial Planning, the Directorate General for EIA, Permits and Inspections, the Directorate General for the Protection of Natural Assets, the Presidency of Climate Change, the Directorate for EU Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency of Strategy and Budget of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, the Directorate General for Nature Conservation and National Parks and the Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Coast Guard Command of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as representatives of the contractor companies.

Following the opening remarks, a general presentation was delivered on the activities carried out within the scope of the project.

During the first reporting period, updates were shared on the literature and data review conducted to assess the current status of marine protected areas in Türkiye, analyses of management effectiveness and financial sustainability of existing sites, the study visit to EU countries, and communication and visibility activities.

Subsequently, activities planned for the second reporting period were discussed. These include legislative work for the designation of marine protected areas, new study visits, socio-economic analysis of fisheries, assessment of the impacts of invasive species, identification of biological and socio-economic parameters, and conservation efforts targeting the endangered Mediterranean monk seal.

The meeting concluded with the collection of participants’ views and recommendations, evaluation of the roadmap for the upcoming period, and closing remarks.