STORY: Climate change decimates corals in Türkiye, prompting protective measures
SHOOTING TIME: June 4, 2024
DATELINE: June 8, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:39
LOCATION: ISTANBUL, Türkiye
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): SINAN ISIM, Diving instructor at the Türkiye Underwater Sports Federation
2. various of coral colonies
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): SINAN ISIM, Diving instructor at the Türkiye Underwater Sports Federation
4. various of coral colonies
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): MURAT KAPIKIRAN, Head of the Istanbul Chamber of Agricultural Engineers
6. SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): MURAT KAPIKIRAN, Head of the Istanbul Chamber of Agricultural Engineers

STORYLINE:   

Coral colonies across Türkiye's seas are perishing due to the abrupt effects of climate change, threatening marine life and prompting experts to call for more protective measures.

Sinan Isim, a diving instructor at the Türkiye Underwater Sports Federation, told Xinhua that coral colonies across Türkiye's seas have faced significant losses as global warming has reached critical levels.

Isim noted that the elevated water temperatures predicted for the 2060s have already been observed in 2024, leading to coral bleaching, which hinders the feeding ability of corals and ultimately leads to their demise.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): SINAN ISIM, Diving instructor at the Türkiye Underwater Sports Federation
"We need corals for life to continue underwater, as they serve as homes, feeding grounds, and protection areas for fish."

The diver stressed that Türkiye's seas host numerous coral colonies, featuring endemic species among them, and a significant portion of these colonies has started dying, presenting a profoundly worrisome scenario.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): SINAN ISIM, Diving instructor at the Türkiye Underwater Sports Federation
"Things are not going well. Therefore, unfortunately, I cannot bring you good news today, because when these corals disappear, the entire marine ecosystem is doomed to die."

Some universities and diving schools have carried out coral planting projects to help restore these vital ecosystems. However, the situation is more dire than previously thought, Isim said.

Murat Kapikiran, head of the Istanbul Chamber of Agricultural Engineers, said that Türkiye's Mediterranean, Aegean, and Marmara waters are home to approximately 200 coral species.

Unfortunately, 15 percent of these corals have perished due to the effects of climate change, with an alarming 68 percent of the losses occurring in recent years, coinciding with the observed escalation of climate change globally, Kapikiran noted.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): MURAT KAPIKIRAN, Head of the Istanbul Chamber of Agricultural Engineers
"Three decades ago, some coral species flourished prominently in shallow waters up to 10 meters along Türkiye's coasts. However, they've since retreated to deeper waters, and the coral colonies have been dwindling in number, as revealed by scientific research."

"Moreover, the density of these colonies is dwindling," Kapikiran warned, urging related institutions to take urgent measures to protect corals.

"Protective interventions and conservation efforts are critical to preventing further decline and preserving the invaluable biodiversity these coral colonies sustain."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Turkish): MURAT KAPIKIRAN, Head of the Istanbul Chamber of Agricultural Engineers
"They can help pass on these extraordinary biological structures to future generations as vibrant and diverse ecosystems."

In 2021, with the contributions of Canakkale 18 March University, the coral colonies in the Marmara Sea were placed under protection, and net fishing was banned in the region.

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