6 thousand fish and 100 artificial reefs were released into Izmit Bay

KOCAELİ (AA) – In order to protect and increase biodiversity in Izmit Bay, 6 thousand fish were released into the sea and 100 artificial reefs were placed. In the “10th Izmit Bay Fishing Project and 3rd Izmit Bay Artificial Reef Release” program held at Darıca National Garden Beach, a total of 6 thousand fish, including sea bream, sea bass, turbot and sturgeon, were released into the sea. In addition, 100 artificial reefs, which serve as a home for fish and create an ecosystem in the area where they are released, were placed in the sea with the help of cranes and divers.

Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, in his speech here, said that they have released 52 thousand sturgeon, sea bream, sea bass and turbot into the Gulf of Izmit so far. Pointing out that artificial reefs are important for protecting and increasing biodiversity, Büyükakın said, “We previously released artificial reefs into the sea, a total of 200 reefs on the Ulaşlı and Gebze Eskihisar coasts. Today, we are leaving 100 more reefs.

Fish enter and nest in them, then an ecosystem forms around them. On the one hand, we release fish into the sea, on the other hand, we clean the sea. We are also trying to prevent our sea from being polluted.” he said. Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Ali Ulvi Özerdem stated that they are continuing their work to implement the fish release and artificial reef placement project, which will make a significant contribution to the marine ecosystem.

Explaining that the work will protect the fish stock in the sea by increasing the shelter, feeding and breeding areas of fish, Özerdem said, “We are happy to take a new step in Darıca today in our projects carried out in Gebze in 2024 and in Gölcük in 2025.” he said. Özerdem pointed out that the continuation of sustainable fishing and the protection of fish species are important and said, “The turbot, sea bream, sea bass and sturgeon that we will release into the Gulf of Izmit today will ensure the development of the diversity of our sea.

Preserving and increasing the fish population of the Marmara Sea thanks to artificial reef and fisheries projects is of great importance for the continuation of sustainable fishing.” he said. Darıca District Governor Yaşar Dönmez, Darıca Mayor Muzaffer Bıyık, Gebze Mayor Zinnur Büyükgöz, representatives of political parties, personnel working in public institutions and organizations and citizens attended the program.