Smallest island in Marmara Sea registered as protected area

Tavşan Island, one of the nine islands off the coast of Istanbul, has been registered as a "vulnerable area to be protected," according to a presidential decree, which was published in the Official Gazette on April 10 with the signature of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Following the decision, an exploration dive was made with the participation of the officials of the Environment and Urbanization Ministry and members of the Marine Life Conservation Association, which has been carrying out various activities to protect the ecosystem of the island for five years.

Meaning "Rabbit Island" in Turkish, Tavşan Island is the smallest of the Princes' Islands in the Marmara Sea, to the southeast of Istanbul.

During the exploration diving, images were taken from under the sea, and research and observations were made about the flora on the island.

Speaking to state-run Anadolu Agency, Ümit Turan, a senior official, pointed out that the ministry is working on increasing the number of protected areas in the country.

Noting that the "protected area" target is 17 percent in developed countries, Turan stated that the rate of protected areas in the country is currently 10.6 percent and the target for 2023, the centennial anniversary of the Turkish Republic, is to increase this rate to 17 percent.

"Covering an area of 7.6 million square meters, the island has a high number of endemic species. Since the 'vulnerable area to be strictly protected' is an area where human activities are restricted, construction will definitely not happen. Tavşan Island will become a science center," Turan said, underlining that with this decision, it was declared a marine protected area for the first time in Istanbul.

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