The Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, to which our country has been participating since the budgeting period of 2007-2013, is a multilateral program conducted within the scope of the European Neighborhood Policy established by the EU to strengthen cooperation between neighboring states and communities in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and the Mediterranean basin, aiming to enhance stability, prosperity, and security in the region.

Since its implementation during the period of 2007-2013, Bulgaria (Severoiztochen, Yugoiztochen), Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Romania (Southeast Region), Türkiye, Ukraine (Odessa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk Oblasts), and Greece (Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia-Western Thrace) have been involved in the program.

The Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme focuses on promoting environmental sustainability and addressing common challenges in the Black Sea region. Therefore, the results of the activities carried out under the program are valuable for other partner countries of the program. Furthermore, the data obtained from the activities will facilitate the development of common strategies and policies in the countries and regions involved in the program, thus contributing to the broader objectives of the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme. As a result, the project outputs will serve as a valuable resource for ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability and address common challenges in the designated section of the Black Sea region outlined in the project.

The projects submitted by our university's academics to the "Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme”, which our university is a partner of and is internationally funded, have been deemed eligible for support during the 2023-2027 Call for Proposals. These projects include:

- "BlackNETs-Exorcising the BLACK Sea's Silent Killers" by Prof. Dr. Coşkun ERÜZ from the Department of Marine Sciences and Technology Engineering at the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences.

- "Invasive Alien Species Observatory and Network Development for the Assessment of Climate Change Impacts and Contextual Ecosystem Services Evaluation in Black Sea Deltaic Protected Areas-IASON++" by Prof. Dr. Fatma TELLİ KARAKOÇ from the Department of Marine Sciences and Technology Engineering at the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences.

- "Cooperation and Awareness for Pollution-free and Environmentally Sustainable Black Sea, CARE SEA" by Prof. Dr. Kadir SEYHAN from the Department of Maritime Business Management at the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences.

- "T3N-BSB-Transnational Technology Transfer Network for Black Sea Basin" by Lecturer Sedanur KALYONCU from the Technology Transfer Application and Research Center.

The overarching aim of the BlackNETs Project, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Coşkun ERÜZ from the Department of Marine Sciences and Technology Engineering at the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences, is to address the issue of ghost nets in the Black Sea. This involves researching the types, quantities, and reasons for the presence of fishing gear in the sea, finding more environmentally sustainable alternatives, raising awareness among stakeholders on how to minimize losses, and promoting the recovery and recycling of lost or damaged fishing gear. Over the past decade, numerous studies have highlighted the negative ecological and socio-economic impacts of Abandoned, Lost, and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in both national and transboundary waters of the Black Sea as a result of fishing activities. However, achieving permanent and sustainable solutions requires international and multilateral efforts to address the problem regionally. The BlackNETs Project aims to measure, map, analyze, and reduce the impact of ALDFG on coastal countries in the Black Sea through pilot applications. Through ongoing efforts to combat ALDFG, the BlackNETs Project anticipates that a shared vision of a "Litter-Free Black Sea" will be achieved among all stakeholders in the project and the relevant sector. This vision is expected to benefit the entire basin from various perspectives. The project will not only contribute to improving environmental health by removing plastic and ALDFG from the Black Sea but will also mobilize stakeholders (including recreational fishermen, commercial fishermen, producers and retailers, NGOs, universities, and authorities) to implement more effective preventive actions in the future and better monitor lost fishing gear, especially along the coastlines.

The overarching aim of the project titled "Invasive Alien Species Observatory and Network Development for the Assessment of Climate Change Impacts and Contextual Ecosystem Services Evaluation in Black Sea Deltaic Protected Areas-IASON++," led by Prof. Dr. Fatma TELLİ KARAKOÇ from the Department of Marine Sciences and Technology Engineering at the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences, is to establish and implement joint monitoring actions for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and to identify relevant services in the Black Sea delta ecosystems of five countries (Romania, Ukraine, Greece, Türkiye, and Georgia) to ensure the sustainable use of deltaic resources. Additionally, under the context of the NATURA 2000 framework, the project aims to assess the resilience of delta systems under current and anticipated climate conditions, with a focus on establishing and promoting adaptation facilities to minimize adverse effects related to climate change, particularly in non-EU countries such as Türkiye and Georgia. The project is based on the examination of the mentioned elements for five delta areas (the Danube Delta-Romania and Ukraine, Nestos Delta-Greece, Kızılırmak Delta-Türkiye, Chorokhi and Kolkheti Deltas-Georgia). It is anticipated that the "The Interreg NEXT" will facilitate a better understanding of the evolutionary trends of ecosystems in the Black Sea Biological Region, and these studies could form the basis for the development of regional decisions and policies concerning invasive species. Furthermore, the IASON++ Project aims to contribute to achieving the goals of the "UN Sustainable Development Goals" by protecting marine and terrestrial life, conserving oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable use, supporting sustainable forest management, combating desertification, stopping and reversing land degradation, and preventing the loss of biodiversity.

The project titled "Cooperation and Awareness for Pollution-free and Environmentally Sustainable Black Sea, CARE SEA," led by Prof. Dr. Kadir SEYHAN from the Department of Maritime Business Management at the Sürmene Faculty of Marine Sciences, aims to conduct a comprehensive study on plastic and microplastics in Türkiye's Eastern Black Sea Region, specifically focusing on the Çoruh River Basin, Çağlayan and Arili Rivers, and the Fırtına River Basin. This study is of vital importance for understanding the extent of plastic pollution in the relevant water sources, and it is anticipated that the study will provide essential data for developing effective management strategies in this regard. The study involves collecting water and sediment samples at regular intervals throughout the year to capture changes in plastic concentrations over time. The results of the study will be valuable for policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders working to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution on the environment and public health. Additionally, the project aims to increase public awareness and engagement in combating plastic pollution in the Black Sea Region through education and information sessions. The goal is to involve the public, local authorities, and other stakeholders in developing and implementing effective strategies to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability. Through this approach, the project aims to encourage more individuals and organizations to become part of the solution, contributing to a plastic-free Black Sea. The project's focus aligns with the research priorities identified as part of the "2030 United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development," highlighting the importance of preserving sustainable natural resources. Given the statistics indicating that by 2030, 40 million people worldwide will be employed in ocean-based industries and sectors, raising awareness in this field is of significant importance for cultivating a knowledgeable workforce.

Within the scope of the project titled "T3N-BSB-Transnational Technology Transfer Network for Black Sea Basin," led by Lecturer Sedanur KALYONCU from the Technology Transfer Application and Research Center, activities will be carried out to develop a basin-based technology transfer network for sharing knowledge, experience, and best practices, especially in areas such as blue economy, low-carbon economy, and climate change resilience, and adaptation. Initially, research projects focusing on the blue economy, low-carbon economy, climate change resilience, and adaptation, which have local or national impact and qualify as good practices with the potential for international influence, will be identified. Subsequently, a digital tool called the "T3N-BSB Portal" will be launched to facilitate and enhance activities such as commercializing research results, sharing best practices, developing joint projects (especially R&D projects), increasing international cooperation and synergy among project partners and stakeholders, supporting and encouraging startups/spin-offs, supporting existing clusters, and promoting investment opportunities. All network members will participate, and a Grand Black Sea Forum will be held annually. The forum will include various sessions aimed at sharing best practice examples for different target groups of the project, enabling network members to develop innovative thematic projects, establishing new "University-Industry Collaboration" partnerships in the Black Sea Basin, and facilitating international investments through bilateral meetings. Additionally, the forum will host an international project competition where target groups will have the opportunity to introduce different types of projects.

We congratulate our supported academics and project teams and wish them continued success in their endeavors.

 

Önceki Sonraki