With its legislative, preventive, and awareness-raising activities, the MarIAS project has strengthened Türkiye’s fight against marine invasive alien species since 2018

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today marked the successful conclusion of a six and a half-year project aimed at combating invasive alien species in Türkiye's seas. The event brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and conservationists to celebrate the project’s achievements and discuss future strategies in combating invasive alien species (IAS). 

Türkiye’s unique geology, geography, and climate make it a hotspot for biodiversity, both on land and in the seas that border the country on three sides. However, this rich bounty of nature faces significant threats from 872 invasive species that have intruded over the past decades. Factors like the opening of the Suez Canal, ballast water discharge from ships, and climate change have accelerated this problem. As a result, marine invasive alien species are becoming a growing threat to coastal Türkiye’s biodiversity, shellfish populations, and aquaculture livelihoods.

The impact of invasive species on Türkiye’s marine ecosystems extends beyond biodiversity loss, affecting social and economic structures as well. The social implications are severe, with species like jellyfish impacting tourism and fishnets, while some invasive species pose health risks to humans through poisoning or transmission of diseases. Economically, invasive species lead to the loss of environmental and social benefits, causing loss of livelihoods and unemployment. 

To address this threat, UNDP implemented the Marine Invasive Alien Species (MarIAS) project in partnership with the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MoAF), with US$3.3 million in funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project increased the resilience of marine and coastal ecosystems by strengthening capacities and investing in the prevention, detection, control, and management of invasive alien species.

In line with its objectives, the initiative was implemented at four key sites, representing the diverse seascapes surrounding Türkiye. These sites included the İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park Coastal Seascape in Kırklareli (Black Sea), the Marmara Islands (Sea of Marmara) and Ayvalık Islands Natural Park in Balıkesir (Aegean Sea), and the Samandağ Mediterranean Seal Habitat and Sea Turtle Nesting and Spawning Ground in Hatay (Mediterranean Sea).

Throughout its implementation, the MarIAS project significantly contributed to strengthening Türkiye’s legal and institutional infrastructure to combat invasive alien species. The project led to the development of Türkiye’s first strategy and action plan for combating IAS, which includes 11 components and 57 actions to be implemented between 2024 and 2035. This strategy, aligned with regional, national and international best practices, focuses on three main objectives including preventing IAS entry, early detection, rapid intervention, monitoring, combating and preventing damage; restoration of invaded ecosystems; and enhancing national and international collaboration to protect biodiversity, ecosystem services, and public health. 

Capacity building and knowledge sharing were central to addressing the threat of marine invasive alien species. The MarIAS project initiated national-scale capacity building activities, including a scientific conference held in Antalya in 2022, to discuss the impacts of marine IAS on Türkiye’s ecosystems, livelihoods, economy, and public health. This conference brought together key stakeholders to share information on the effects of invasive species like lionfish, water hyacinth, and rapa whelk, and highlighted solutions for their eradication and control.

With the findings of the conferences and stakeholder consultations, the Turkish National Invasive Alien Species Data and Information System (TurIST) was launched in 2024, covering 181 species and providing real-time data to help scientists and policymakers assess the ecological, economic, and social impact of IAS. TurIST aims to facilitate international collaboration in combating this shared problem. 

By providing extensive training programs for fishers, divers, national and local authorities, scientists, and maritime professionals, the project increased knowledge on IAS threats, impacts, mitigation measures, and best practices. Additionally, the project engaged approximately 9,000 students and 300 teachers in raising awareness about the adverse effects of IAS through school lesson plans.

Public awareness was also at the heart of the project’s mission. Through targeted campaigns MarIAS raised public consciousness about the ecological and economic impacts of marine IAS, encouraging responsible practices among maritime industries and coastal communities. The project developed Harvest Incentive Programs to control invasive species such as lionfish, starfish, pufferfish, and water hyacinth, integrating them into local economies. Activities like the lionfish derby in Keldağ, Hatay; the starfish diving contest on the shores of the Marmara Islands; and water hyacinth removal events in the Asi River and along the Mediterranean coast at Samandağ engaged local communities, encouraging active participation in mitigating IAS threats. 

As the MarIAS project concludes, its impact will continue to shape Türkiye’s marine conservation policies. The tools, strategies, and partnerships established during the project offer a strong foundation for sustained action against marine IAS, contributing to the long-term health and resilience of Türkiye’s marine ecosystems.