Investigation and Conservation of Cetacean Species in the Karataş Coasts

Vahit Alan

To identify which species of cetacean inhabits Karataş coasts, their ecology and habitat usage, and to raise public awareness.

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Proposed project will be the first cetacean study in the area. The study will also fill the gaps about the information on current state of these animals. The project will determine the species that using the area frequently and attempt to identify key habitats for the species. During the field efforts besides occurrence of cetacean species in the region, the study will provide to understanding their ecology and behaviours. Anthropogenic threats on the cetacean species will be determined and conservation efforts will be performed in the area based on gathered data. One of the goals in the project is to provide contribution to national and international cetacean conservation studies. Encountered individuals will be identified by photo-ID method and a regional photo-ID catalogue will be formed.

During the field study, visual catalogue from taken images will be used for the education activities. “Cetacean and marine life” education will be organized particularly for children, local fisherman and other stakeholder for increasing local participation to the project.

Local people, tourists and special visitors such as volunteers will be informed about the conservation of the marine ecosystems with any possible way such as posters, fliers. Thus, awareness of cetacean conservation activities in the areas will be increased.

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