STORY: UNDP project helps combat invasion of predatory starfish in Turkish waters
DATELINE: Oct. 6, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:19
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Istanbul city in Türkiye
2. various of photos of Atlantic starfish
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LOUISA VINTON, UNDP's Türkiye resident representative
4. various of photos of Atlantic starfish
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LOUISA VINTON, UNDP's Türkiye resident representative

STORYLINE:

A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project is helping Türkiye combat an invasion of "predatory Atlantic starfish" that is seriously threatening the country's seas.

According to Louisa Vinton, the UNDP's Türkiye resident representative, the Atlantic starfish is wreaking havoc along the country's coastline, threatening marine biodiversity and the aquaculture industry.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): LOUISA VINTON, UNDP's Türkiye resident representative
"There are 105 different invasive alien species in Türkiye's waters. But the starfish is one of the most destructive because like many invasive species, it reproduces rapidly. It is very adaptive and it doesn't have predators. So, when it does come into Turkish seas, including the Marmara Sea here, it gobbles up mussels and other shellfish."

The UNDP project aims to raise awareness of this danger and encourage people to collect and remove starfish in innovative ways, including organizing competitions to reward those who collect the most.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): LOUISA VINTON, UNDP's Türkiye resident representative
"So first of all, we want to prevent the invasion, but then when we can't prevent it, we want to reduce it and block it."

The UNDP project will also launch a publicly accessible database for marine invasive alien species to provide up-to-date information on their threat.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Istanbul, Türkiye.
(XHTV)