In the scope of “Addressing of Invasive Alien Species Threats in Terrestrial Areas and Inland Waters in Turkey Project” funded under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II) between Republic of Turkey and European Union, and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, the third of the workshops on preparation mid/long term management plans planned to be held in the pilot areas regarding the six target species determined, and carried out as “Workshop on Preparation of Mid/long Term Management Plan for Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)” was held between 7 and 9 June 2022 in Denizli.
Approximately 30 participants from relevant General Directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, regional directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, officials from stakeholders and relevant Ministries, academicians and NGO representatives, and project experts participated to the workshop.
Within the scope of the workshop, the project species of interest’ experts covered the topics of introduction of Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) and spread of the species in Turkey, the management plan’s aims and targets specific to the species, the effects of the species and the methods of management proposed in the mid/long term management plan, the application of the plan specific to the species. Moreover, the socio-economic analysis of the commercial domestic species in the pilot area and the effects of the Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)on these species and the socio-economy of the area were examined and the Mid/Long Term IAS Management Plan was evaluated in terms of benefits and costs.
In addition, field studies were conducted in the sources feeding Acıgöl as the pilot areas affected by Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) and evaluations were made with participants and stakeholders about the prevention of the species’ spread in the pilot area and the mid/long term management plan.
Project Experts:
- Prof. Dr. Ali Serhan TARKAN, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, TERIAS Project Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) Species Expert
- Prof. Dr. Özgür EMİROĞLU, TERIAS Project Gibel carp Species Expert
End Beneficiary: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks
Consultant: DAI Global Austria GmbH & Co KG, Çınar Engineering Consulting Inc., Finnish Environment Institute Consortium