Dear Researchers; The Bay of Iskenderun, with a history going back to 5000 BC, was called Mare Issicum, Issicus Sinus, Gulf of Issus and Gulf of Alexandretta in the past, and is a gulf that has a central, commercial value within the Mediterranean ecosystem with its unique coastal structure and geographical position. Aside from its economic value, the gulf as an ecosystem is quite valuable ecologically, serving as a natural breeding and feeding ground for a large number of marine animals. With its position in the easternmost part of the Mediterranean, the bay serves as a crossroads for land and sea transportation networks as a gateway to the Middle East and a bridge connecting Europe to the Pacific Ocean through the Suez Canal. With the increase in population, and the development of commerce, industry and tourism, the importance of the bay increased over time and its central position was reinforced.
Today, due to the fact that most of world's commerce flows over the sea lines, the commercial and logistical importance of bays are increasing. As a result, due to its central location, and parallel to the development of industry and commerce in the Bay of Iskenderun, the port industry has grown and became an important part of the local economy. This, naturally, leads to an increase in the maritime traffic in the Bay. Of course, this increasing maritime traffic has various effects on the marine environment. These effects might lead to not only ecological, but also economic losses. As a result of these developments, a need has arisen to carefully consider the situation in the Bay of Iskenderun and the surrounding region. For this reason, it is intended for all stakeholders (universities, public institutions, local authorities, industry and maritime commerce associations, seafood industry and non- governmental organizations) to participate in this symposium, to discuss these problems and opportunities and bring everyone involved together on the same page. In the end, we would like to invite you to take part in this first symposium organized to share information, data and current approaches regarding the monitoring and evaluation process of the Bay of Iskenderun. All participant are invited to take part in the "International Bay of Iskenderun Symposium" that will take place in Iskenderun / Hatay between October 11 - 13, 2017 SYMPOSIUM TOPICS: 1.Local Authorities and Waste Water Management 2.Ports and Maritime Transportation in Iskenderun Bay 3.Risks and Opportunities in Iskenderun Bay 4.Coastal Protection Practices in Iskenderun Bay 5.Biodiversity in Iskenderun Bay 6.Fisheries in Iskenderun Bay (Marine Fish Production,Fisheries) 7.Sea Pollution and Prevention (Oil Spills, Micropollutants Marine Debris, etc.) 8.Petroleum and Energy in Iskenderun Bay. 9.Mining policy 10.Tourism 11.General Topics (Global Climate Change and effects on Iskenderun Bay, Antropological studies, Effects of Agricultural Activities on Iskenderun Bay etc.) http://iks.iste.edu.tr/eng/ Sedat Gündoğdu Cukurova University Faculty of Fisheries Department of Basic Sciences 01330-Adana/TURKEY +905352739526
