Details

Monitoring and evaluation of Turkish coastal and marine waters with the common criteria and methods within the scope of the obligations of the Barcelona and Bucharest Conventions and their Protocols, and in compliance with EU Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000) and the Maritime Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008). 

The monitoring activities in Turkey have been regularly organized by relevant Ministries since the beginning of 2000s in the areas especially located in the coastal waters and intensely affected by human activities in accordance with the purpose and scope specified above and the results are reported to Regional Marine Conventions (RMC). Especially MSFD based on ecosystem approach management basis and the RMCs based on this approach re-organize regional monitoring activities with new approaches. In parallel to this, monitoring programs including off-shore waters beyond coastal waters affected especially and different environmental elements are gradually organized and these programs are planned in a quality to meet the needs of national legislation. One of the most important components of both legal instruments is "monitoring and assessment". Because, "good ecological / environmental statuses" are identified in these legal regulations and whether these targets are achieved is monitored by implementing the programs of measures. Recently, this management approach is reflected in the Barcelona and Bucharest Convention programs and the "ecological targets" (UNEP / MAP 2013) for the Mediterranean within the scope of UNEP / MAP are defined and the common indicators to be followed for these targets have been set for the Mediterranean. The monitoring program completing these studies is also approved by member countries (UNEP / MAP 2016) and put into practice.