Ramsar Sites of Turkey - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Almost all <strong>of</strong> the livestock raised in surrounding areas <strong>of</strong> the conservation site are grazed
in the natural areas within the site. The most widespread livestock production is in
are cattle and 3325 are small ruminants. 23 families staying in winter shelters have 508
cattle and 2045 small ruminants. Because nomadic life traditions have totally
disappeared, animals are grazing in the conservation site for the whole year. The
increasing number <strong>of</strong> livestock leads to degeneration and disappearance <strong>of</strong> the plant
coverage, particularly in the sand dunes, degenerates due to overgrazing. The
degradation <strong>of</strong> the plant cover increases the sand dune erosion.
Fishery
Besides agriculture and livestock production, fishery is the most important means <strong>of</strong>
living <strong>of</strong> the local
are located in the site. There are five central fisheries products cooperatives in the site (
these cooperatives.
These cooperatives operate the lagoons. There are 115 fishers, who are not a member <strong>of</strong>
any <strong>of</strong> these cooperatives. The fishers working in the lagoon are paid monthly according
to the days they worked. Special Provincial Administrations rent the lagoons to the
cooperatives. Fishery activities are carried out in parts <strong>of</strong> the former Ceyhan riverbed
Among those who go out on fishing 14.1 percent fish in summers, 7.5 percent fish during
the whole year and others in various months, the results <strong>of</strong> the research on household
members show. 20 percent <strong>of</strong> those who fish in their spare times fish in open sea and
22.9 percent fish in the bay.
The number <strong>of</strong> fisher families
grey mullet, sea bream, bluefish and meagre are the main fish species caught in the
region.
Though the data particularly about the amount <strong>of</strong> the fish that has been caught, fishers
point out the amount <strong>of</strong> the fish has decreased by 2/3 in the past 15-20 years. Both
scientific studies and the fishers' statements show the fresh and saltwater imbalance in
the lagoons due to flood prevention, siltation <strong>of</strong> the lagoons due to sediment intrusion,
water pollution and illegal fishing, trolling until the 1990s and fry fishing have been
effective on the decrease <strong>of</strong> fish stocks.
Increasing costs (such as rent, tax) against the decreasing fish stocks force fishers to
catch higher amounts <strong>of</strong> fish. Fishing immature fish, not letting the fish into the sea for
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