Bio-diversity

In Turkey there is no official data and study on and pertaining to the existence of fisherwomen. However in the Southern Aegean region of the country, fisherwomen practice small scale and artisanal fisheries. Small scale fishery is the most neglected type of fisheries in Turkey where fisherwomen struggle to exist in. In Dat a-Bozburun SPA, fisherwomen either catch with their husbands or alone, at the same time taking care of the house chores, the children and the husband. Continuing the struggle in all aspects of life, women care for their families and the sea with great determination. To bring empowerment and awareness to women as the foundation of the family will have great influence on the young generations to come. This project aims to ensure the continuity and strength of fisherwomen in Dat a-Bozburun Peninsula by discovering and addressing their needs and supporting sustainable fisheries, therefore helping them to continue their jobs as well as sharing with the public the basic problems and consequences of these problems marine protected areas are facing.The fisherwomen in the area are willing to participate in the project; which is the very first attempt to strengthen the fisherwomen in this area. Starting as a local women movement, this project will also widen to pave the way to structural changes that will elevate the quality of life of fisher families in the region. Women are the first to be affected by diminishing biodiversity. A fisherwoman leads a life not only as a productive human being in biological terms, but also as a productive member of the society providing for and managing her family. Fisheries have so far been male-dominant activity, come to a point characterized by overfishing, illegal fishing and low fishery income. This situation has primarily affected women directly or indirectly related with the sector. Although women are the ones being mostly affected by these circumstances, they are also the ones least responsible. Existence of fisherwomen is the key to the protection, monitoring and management of the area. With this project, Mediterranean Conservation Society will help reveal the existence and significance of fisherwomen in fisheries, support their change of role from mere actors to decisionmakers by encouraging them for shareholder positions in fishery cooperatives, conveying that main problems can be solved through cooperation and proposing microcredits. The project will also be a further step to help realize the decrease poverty, sustainable development and human and institutional strengthening initiative of SGP.

Turkey