As part of the “Izmit Bay Fish Restocking Project”, launched under the cooperation protocol between the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality and the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM), another significant step was taken under the coordination of the Central Fisheries Research Institute (SUMAE).
The “2nd Artificial Reef Deployment” and “9th Izmit Bay Fish Release” ceremony took place on the Gölcük Ulaşlı coast. The event brought together Kocaeli Metropolitan Mayor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tahir Büyükakın, Gölcük District Governor Müfit Gültekin, Gölcük Mayor Ali Yıldırım Sezer, MHP Kocaeli Provincial Chairman Tuncay Batı, OYAK Cement Alternative Resources and Environment Director Galip Tekiner, Chamber of Shipping Kocaeli Branch President Vedat Doğusel, along with local representatives, citizens, and media members.
During the event, juvenile sea bass, turbot, and gilthead sea bream bred at our research institutes and individually tagged were released into the bay. Since 2017, the project has seen the release of 54,000 juvenile fish into various coastal locations such as Değirmendere, Gölcük, Ereğli, Karamürsel, Darıca, Körfez, Hereke, Dilovası, Tavşancıl, Eskihisar, and Gebze.
The initiative not only contributes to fish stock restoration but also strengthens marine habitats through artificial reef deployments, providing safe shelter and nursery grounds for aquatic life.
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As SUMAE, we are proud to play a key role in this long-term, multi-stakeholder effort to promote sustainable fisheries, enhance biodiversity, and support the ecological restoration of Izmit Bay.
