• The SEA4FUTURE Project, involving Istanbul University from Türkiye and numerous institutions from 22 countries, aims to protect marine life and strengthen the economic sustainability of fishing communities
• New, more environmentally friendly fishing methods will be developed in the Black Sea, Marmara Sea, and Aegean Sea

March 22, 2026

March 22, World Water Day, is an important occasion that highlights the indispensable role of water for life and aims to raise awareness. While the protection of water resources is gaining global attention, the future of seas—an integral part of the water cycle—has also become a focus of international cooperation.

Supported by the European Union and joined by Istanbul University and TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center from Türkiye, the SEA4FUTURE Project stands out as one of the key initiatives aiming to make fisheries in the Mediterranean more sustainable.

Launched this year, the project seeks to address marine degradation, overfishing, and the economic challenges faced by coastal communities.

The project is funded by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and coordinated by the University of Alicante in Spain.

The project brings together universities, research centers, non-governmental organizations, and representatives from the fisheries sector from 22 countries, including Türkiye. In this respect, SEA4FUTURE offers a multi-stakeholder structure that goes beyond academia and translates into practical applications. Assoc. Prof. Uğur Uzer and Prof. Saadet Karakulak from Istanbul University are actively involved, and it is planned that the university’s research vessel will be used in future studies.

- Fishermen are also stakeholders in the process

One of the main goals of the SEA4FUTURE Project is to ensure that fisheries can continue while protecting marine life. Within this scope, it is planned to develop more environmentally friendly fishing methods, protect non-target marine species caught unintentionally, and support the sustainability of fish stocks. Scientific studies will also be conducted to better understand marine biodiversity.

Another notable aspect of the project is the active involvement of fishermen. SEA4FUTURE aims for fishermen to be not only implementers but also part of the solution. The methods developed and knowledge obtained will be directly shared with them, ensuring both the protection of seas and the sustainability of livelihoods.

Research will also be conducted to identify sensitive areas in the Black Sea, Marmara Sea, and Aegean Sea, and solutions will be developed to enable fishing without harming these regions. Additionally, new methods for protecting sensitive species such as sea turtles will be tested.

- “Not only protecting the environment...”

Project coordinator Assoc. Prof. Uğur Uzer stated: “It is possible to make fisheries sustainable while protecting the seas. With this project, we aim to safeguard both nature and livelihoods together.”

The SEA4FUTURE Project aims not only to protect the environment but also to economically strengthen communities that depend on fisheries. By sharing data, disseminating new methods, and raising public awareness, the project is expected to have a broad impact.

Highlighting the proper use of resources, the project once again demonstrates that protecting the seas is not only an environmental issue but also an economic and social one. SEA4FUTURE aims to be one of the important steps showing that the future of seas can be preserved through the right methods and collaborative efforts.