DP World Yarimca, one of Turkey’s largest port operators, has launched the Marine Preservation Initiative to prevent the decrease of coral population and improve the underwater ecosystem in the Marmara Sea, according to a statement from the company. The project will be carried out in collaboration with the Marine Life Conservation Society and Istanbul University.
“As a maritime company, we are ready to do whatever it takes to protect the future of the seas. The World Oceans Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness among everyone, from children to our stakeholders,” said Kris Adams, CEO of DP World Yarimca.
Within the scope of the project gorgon corals will be transferred to the Prince Islands in the Marmara Sea from 30-meter depth under the Aegean Sea in Ayvalik, where the population is dense while planting will be carried out on an average of 2 million square meters.
The yellow gorgon coral is an endemic species specific to the Mediterranean. However, some rare spots in the Aegean Sea, the Marmara Sea and Ayvalik, are precious areas where the species is dense. The yellow gorgon coral population has recently decreased in the Prince Islands due to human activities.
“Harmful organisms, ecosystem transformations and human activities can have a disastrous impact on our seas, often resulting in a significant loss of corals which are such important homes to so much marine life. In this context, our project will be a step towards protecting the coral population through in-situ conservation or moving it,” Adams added.
DP World Yarimca operates one of the country’s container terminals located in Izmit Gulf. The company has previously carried out the ‘Minding My Waste’ project in collaboration with the Istanbul-based Mind Your Waste Foundation to raise awareness about marine pollution among children. The project won the European Silver Stevie awards under the category of the Corporate Social Responsibility Project of the Year in 2019.
