A Joint Step for the Future of the Sea of Marmara: MAR-PİNA Project Completed, First Year of PİNA-İZ and ÇAYIR-İZ Projects Concluded

The MAR-PİNA Project, jointly carried out by Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University and the General Directorate for the Protection of Natural Assets of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, has been successfully completed. Within the same framework, the first year of the PİNA-İZ and ÇAYIR-İZ projects has also been concluded. A year-end evaluation meeting for these projects was held at Bandırma Grand Asya Hotel.

The meeting was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Boz, Deputy Director General of the General Directorate for the Protection of Natural Assets Dr. Beyhan Oktar, Head of the Department of the Marmara Sea and Islands Special Environmental Protection Area Murat Demircioğlu, Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı, Assistant Project Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Uğur Karadurmuş, representatives of the Ministry, academicians involved in the projects, and project stakeholders.

Following the moment of silence and the Turkish National Anthem, opening speeches were delivered by Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Boz, Project Coordinator Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı, and Deputy Director General Dr. Beyhan Oktar. The speeches highlighted the significance of the projects in improving the Marmara Sea ecosystem and protecting both seagrass habitats and the endangered pen shell (Pinna nobilis) populations.

Within the scope of the MAR-PİNA Project, underwater observations were conducted along 1,300 km of coastline of the Sea of Marmara, including the straits and islands. The spatial distribution of pen shell stocks was mapped, mortality and recruitment rates were determined, and applicable conservation strategies were developed based on the findings.
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı noted that, for the first time, the pathogen responsible for mass pen shell deaths in the Mediterranean was detected in the Sea of Marmara through this project; however, mass mortality events have not yet occurred. He also emphasized that the Çanakkale Strait acts as a natural barrier, but human-induced mortality has reached nearly 30%, underlining the need for greater awareness and effective protection strategies.

As part of the PİNA-İZ Project, the world’s first underwater monitoring station for pen shells was established off the coast of İlhanköy in the Erdek Gulf. At this station, 330 pen shell individuals were tagged and monitored monthly to directly observe their growth, mortality, and recruitment. Meanwhile, the ÇAYIR-İZ Project contributed original scientific data to the literature by discovering new seagrass meadows in the Sea of Marmara.

Through these projects, our University continues to make significant contributions to the protection and sustainable management of marine ecosystems in line with its strategic vision of “Blue Growth.”
We sincerely thank the General Directorate for the Protection of Natural Assets for their continued collaboration and congratulate all academicians and stakeholders who contributed to the success of these important projects.