Proceedings of the Second Mediterranean Symposium on Marine

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECOND MEDITERRANEAN SYMPOSIUM ON MARINE VEGETATION (ATHENS, 12-13 DECEMBER 2003)
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aquariology studies in <strong>the</strong> western <strong>Mediterranean</strong> were affecting <strong>the</strong> ecosystem
adversely. Moreover, it was also concluded that various studies on <strong>the</strong>se species should
be carried out and co-operation among <strong>the</strong> state countries should be supported. In
addition, it was also recommended that <strong>the</strong> invasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se species to be controlled
and restrained by <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mediterranean</strong> coastal states. This is in accord with <strong>the</strong> international
convention signed, by <strong>the</strong>se studies in particular Biodiversity and Barcelona conventions.
As a consequence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> above mentioned reasons and developments, <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong>
Environment started a project “Investigations on Caulerpa Species in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mediterranean</strong>”
to determine <strong>the</strong> status and carry out necessary studies.
With this project it was targeted to monitor <strong>the</strong> invasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Caulerpa species existing
in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mediterranean</strong> coasts (e.g. Caulerpa taxifolia). The occurance <strong>of</strong> which has not
been verified yet in our coasts and to develop preventions to stop possible invasions.
Moreover, it was targeted to study <strong>the</strong> taxonomy and ecology <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Caulerpa species
(e.g. Caulerpa racemosa), <strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m were proved and invasive
along Turkish coasts, to determine <strong>the</strong> effects <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se invasive species on marine
biodiversity, to monitor <strong>the</strong> invasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, and to develop precautions to halt fur<strong>the</strong>r
invasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m.
In addition by taking into considerations <strong>the</strong> present infrastructure and activities, an
“Action Plan” comprising <strong>the</strong> priority activities, has been developed to prepare
appropriate actions and implementations in accordance with <strong>the</strong> international
conventions on protection <strong>of</strong> biodiversity and exotic-invasive plants.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The aim <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> present study is to observe Caulerpa species around <strong>the</strong> Turkish coastal
zone. Therefore, seasonal sampling has been done by using diving equipments and
cameras. In addition, <strong>the</strong> horizontal and vertical distribution area <strong>of</strong> Caulerpa racemosa
has been determined in Bodrum where <strong>the</strong> dense population <strong>of</strong> Caulerpa racemosa has
been reported. By using a remotely operating vehicle (ROV), <strong>the</strong> deepest depth where
Caulerpa racemosa distribute has been determined.
The project was started on September 2000. To fullfill <strong>the</strong> objectives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> project,
coastline, where <strong>the</strong> possible Caulerpa distribution were already reported in <strong>the</strong> literature
(Aleem, 1992; Panayotidis & Montesantou 1994; Cirik & Ozturk 1991), – totalling 5,000
km – between Enez town at <strong>the</strong> Turkish-Greek border and Samada town at <strong>the</strong> Turkish-
Syrian Border was surveyed by means <strong>of</strong> SCUBA equipment, samples were collected,
and <strong>the</strong>se samples were identified under laboratory conditions. As a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first
surveys, Caulerpa taxifolia was not encountered along <strong>the</strong> Turkish coasts. However, after
<strong>the</strong> opening <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Suez Canal invasive Red Sea species Caulerpa racemosa was found
present from south west Aegean to north Aegean, in particular, in <strong>the</strong> Gökova Bay and
Bodrum Peninsula and its vicinity and confirmed by underwater footage.