Under the coordination of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Türkiye, with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and national hub Middle East Technical University Institute of Marine Sciences (METU-IMS) hosted by the Central Fisheries Research Institute (SUMAE), a national workshop titled “Sustainable Marine Aquaculture in the Black Sea: Sectoral Cooperation and Future-Oriented Approaches” was held on May 29, 2025, in Trabzon.
The workshop was organized as part of the Common Maritime Agenda (CMA) for the Black Sea, with Türkiye serving as the National Focal Point.
🌊 A Shared Path Toward a Sustainable Future for the Black Sea
Bringing together a wide and dynamic stakeholder base composed of 105 participants, including policymakers, researchers, private sector representatives, NGOs, and academia, the event aimed to:
Review the current state of aquaculture in Türkiye from a Blue Economy perspective
Share experiences on sustainability practices and resilient production systems
Explore regional cooperation opportunities in the Black Sea basin.
The event built upon the findings of the previous national CMA workshop and offered a deeper and more action-oriented discussion framework.
🔍 Key Highlights from the Workshop
🔹 Participants discussed sectoral synergies, environmental pressures, and sustainability goals across the entire aquaculture value chain.
🔹 Challenges encountered in marine aquaculture production were addressed through policy-level and practical recommendations.
🔹 Interactive sessions encouraged idea-sharing between public institutions and private sector stakeholders.
🔹 The outcomes of the workshop are set to guide future actions under the CMA Technical Working Groups, offering good practices, innovative solutions, and valuable inputs for policy development.
🧭 SUMAE’s Role: Scientific Support and Practical Expertise
As the host and one of the key contributors to the event, SUMAE shared its experience in:
Species-specific aquaculture research,
Genetic resource conservation,
Development of resilient and eco-friendly production systems,
And contributions to national and EU-supported projects.
SUMAE’s ongoing work in the Black Sea region continues to support the science-policy interface, shaping future directions in marine aquaculture through a sustainable and ecosystem-based approach.
🤝 Moving Forward Together
The workshop successfully established a platform for open dialogue and collaboration among public institutions, research organizations, the aquaculture industry, and civil society.
At SUMAE, we believe that building a sustainable future for the Black Sea starts with sharing knowledge, strengthening cooperation, and acting together — for science, for nature, and for future generations.
#CMAinMyCountry
#SUMAE #BlackSea #SustainableAquaculture #BlueEconomy #MarineScience
Organized with the support of:
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure • Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry • Black Sea Assistance Mechanism • Middle East Technical University (METU)