– As part of the Primary Research Projects supported by TUBITAK (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey), University of Kyrenia is currently conducting a research titled as “The identification of the impact of human interferences and natural changes on the Cilicia Basin (area between Turkey and TRNC) and its ecosystem”.

Being conducted at the helm of Acting Rector of the University of Kyrenia, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, it was revealed that the first phase of the TUBITAK research project was completed by the University of Kyrenia. Furthermore, it was expressed that other parties contributing in the research project were: ODTU- Erdemli Marine Sciences Institute; Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Department of Livestock and TRNC Ministry of Health State Laboratory. The completed first phase of the research was expressed to have involved the scrutinisation of the oceanography parameters of the Cilicia basin (physical, biogeochemical, fishery and sea-atmosphere interactions).

According to the press info release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of University of Kyrenia, the first phase of the research was successfully completed and it involved the investigation of the hydrodynamic structure of the region and the interpretation of the new findings along with prior knowledge; the interaction of biochemical and ecosystem dynamics with the physical structure of the region; the effects of the interactions of the atmosphere-sea- and land on the ecosystem; the impact of human interferences and natural changes on the ecosystem of the Cilicia Basin; biological diversity and biotope of the region; the identification of reference requirements of “good environmental conditions” of the shores and open seas; the identification of the currrent pelagic fish biodiversity and biomass.

The only registered research ship of the TRNC, which is fully equipped, R/V TEAL is continuing its research investigations…

In the press release, it was pointed out that the oceanographic data to be collected was currently being gathered by the only registered research ship of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In accordance with the time schedule of the research project, R/V TEAL is conducting its research monthly and seasonally, and recently it had completed another investigation on 29th – 30th January, 2016. Furthermore, alongside the crew of the ship, the research ship was expressed to be suitable for five scientists to work together instantly on the data collected, having the opportunity to scrutinise live samples from the sea in the laboratory instantly. Moreover, it was expressed that the research was to continue over a period of two years and that currently, the first six month of the scheduled period was successfully completed.

Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu: “We are very happy with the current course of the research project!”

Making a statement regarding the matter, Acting Rector of the University of Kyrenia, Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu, emphasised how pleased they were of the current course of the project. He said: “We have successfully completed the first phase of the research project and are currently evaluating the data collected. Subsequently, we will be sharing our findings with the relative parties of the TRNC state institutions and local establishments. We believe that through this, we will be able to support future plans of sustainable environmental management and relative acts.”

Prof. Dr. İlkay Salihoğlu further expressed that in order to enable the reproduction of the biodiversity in the area, they will provide the necessary information ranging for the smallest to the largest organisms making the food chain in the area, and also identify the current status of the effect of human interference and/or natural changes on the ecosystem and therefore, provide parties with the required information relatively.