Online Panel was held on "Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Aquatic Ecosystems" by İstanbul University Faculty of Aquatic Sciences on digital platform June 10, 2020. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak, the Rector of İstanbul University, was one of the participants of the meeting which was moderated by Prof. Dr. Melek İşinibilir Okyar, Dean of the Faculty of Aquatic Sciences. Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş (Member of Management Board of the Boğaziçi University Center for Climate Change and Policy Studies, Physics Department), Prof. Dr. Meriç Albay (Head of the Department of Freshwater Resources Management at the Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, İstanbul University), Prof. Dr. Ahmet E. Kıdeyş (Middle East Technical University Institute of Marine Sciences, lecturer), Prof. Dr. Bayram Öztürk (Head of the Department of Marine Biology at the Faculty of Aquatic Sciences, İstanbul University) and Dr. Mustafa Altuğ Atalay (General Director of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) made their speech as panelists.

Prof. Dr. Melek İşinibilir Okyar made the opening speech of the meeting and stated that the aquatic ecosystems, where the human pressure is dominant areas, are very important both in terms of the use of water for hygiene purposes and the importance of biodiversity changing due to climate change. For all these reasons, she added that they came together with the participants to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on aquatic ecosystems.

“It is Essential To Create A Culture About Water in Our Country!”

Prof. Dr. Mahmut Ak, the Rector of İstanbul University, congratulated all the Aquatic Sciences community that organized the panel and everybody who participated in this meeting. He said: “ Due to the restrictions applied in the Covid-19 pandemic, people's transition to a more isolated life has reduced the pressure on the environment and nature had got the chance to renovate. One of the areas where human pressure decreases is the aquatic ecosystems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a remarkable improvement in aquatic ecosystems, as household and industrial wastes have been reduced which discharge to seas and freshwaters, and also sea traffic has declined significantly. It is essential to create a culture about water because our country is surrounded by seas, and it also harbor freshwater resources with different properties. The COVID-19 pandemics reminded us the importance of water and food once more. This meeting will have a positive effect that will enable to spread this culture and awareness.”

“An Important Issue Regarding Fight Against The Climate Change: Aquatic Ecosystems”

Prof. Dr. Türkeş made explanations regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic and aquatic ecosystems in terms of climate change: “During the COVID-19 Pandemic, there was a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions that caused climate change. The aquatic ecosystems play an important role for climate change by keeping some of the emissions of greenhouse gases. If we learn how to repair aquatic ecosystems in this period, we can both manage aquatic ecosystems successfully and understand the role of aquatic ecosystems as a carbon dioxide keeper. The COVID-19 Pandemic is a good example that something can be achieved without stopping all life at a significant level."

 “About 50 of Our Lakes Have Dried Up”

Prof. Dr. Albay evaluated the current state of our freshwater resources: “Our freshwater resources started to be damaged. We have limited resources and therefore we should all use them carefully. COVID-19 taught us what to do and what not to do. In particular, it reminded us the importance of the water. Unfortunately, in our country, around 50 lakes have dried up. These were very important water resources. The lakes such as Burdur, Meke, Seyfe, Marmara, Salt and Ladik are the lakes which experience of drying or serious water level change. Regarding these resources, precauations should be taken immediately and these resources should be managed with an ecosystem-based approach. It is very important to improve the water culture throughout the country. First of all, we should care about the water footprint and everybody in the world should take this responsibility. When we use the water we should be aware of water resources are not infinite and are also quite limited. We should manage water resources not against to the ecosystem but together with it and its components.”

"We Can Say That More Than 100 Million Disposable Masks Were Used By Now ln Turkey "

Prof. Dr. Kıdeyş gave information about the impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic on marine ecosystems and especially biodiversity after the introduction of disposable material consumption into our lives. He said: “In this period, the quarantine at home life has started in many countries. We watch the coronavirus effect on wildlife. For example, sea turtles were less disturbed by people on the beach in between May-June which is the nesting period for them. In addition, we see an increasing number in small pelagic fish species in a wide area. However, the number of wastes from the packaging category have increased due to the increase in internet shopping. Medical category wastes, disposable protective materials, for example masks etc. increased due to Covid-19. Considering that given 10 masks to every citizen in Turkey, we can say that more than 100 million disposable masks were used by now in Turkey”.

“We Realized The Highest Number for Fisheries of Our History In 2019”

Dr. Atalay gave information about the impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic on fisheries of Turkey and national precaution strategy: "The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and also Ministry of Health have passed this crisis successfully. In this period, empty market shelves never seen for fisheries products, this is an important achievement in our country. Turkish Statistical Institue announced Fisheries numbers for 2019. We achieved the highest numbers of fisheries of our history in 2019. In total, 837 thousand tons of fish… 463 thousand tons of this number was obtained from fishing, 373 thousand tons were obtained from aquaculture. Our goal for 2023 was 400 thousand tons in aquaculture. We have almost achieved that goal. With the normalization process, the amateur fishing ban has been canceled. We are preparing new social distance bands. In aquaculture, our budget has become one of the largest budget among EU countries. Together with our minister, we have realized important campaigns to increase fish sales. These campaigns increased the number of normal fish sales 5 times. Our minister has a project called “Digital Agriculture Platform”. We provided data for both fishing and aquaculture products in this platform. We ensure that coastal fisheries are also included in this sector. ”

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Fisheries Sector in Japan

Prof. Dr. Öztürk, evaluated the impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Japan's fisheries sector: “Japan is a country where 3 million tons of fish are imported. We need to follow Japan's fisheries policy well. Because even if we sell fish to the EU countries, we need to diversify our fisheries market. Thereby, we can reduce the risk. The fishing organization in Japan has a very long history. For example, there are 64 schools for fisheries. There are 10 faculties of aquatic sciences. There are 17 research units for fisheries. Most importantly, there is a daily fisheries newspaper. Fish consumption is over 70 kg per person.The total number of cooperatives is about 1100 and each cooperative has an average of 230 members. Cooperatives are not only limited to fishing, but also have responsibilities such as keeping their area clean, restoring the aquatic ecosystem, working with the government to conduct a project to keep updated numbers of fish stocks. Due to the fact that some of the restaurants and hotels are closed and there are no tourists, consumption decreased. However, generally we should follow the developments in EU because we sell fisheries products mostly to the EU countries.”

Prof. Dr. İşinibilir, made her closing speech: “Obviously, coronavirus changed our lives completely. Perhaps the Covid-19 Pandemic reminded us the importance of science, nature, climate change, biodiversity, food, an water in this period. Likewise, the Pandemic shows us whether we are ready to a crisis like that or not.”