SAD/AFAG – Turkey

www.afag.org

Experience:

SAD/AFAG (Underwater Research Society - Mediterranean Seal Research Group) is the leading NGO in Turkey set up exclusively for the research and conservation of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal and its ecosystem. SAD/AFAG has been actively working on this matter along the Turkish coast since 1987.

The conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal targeted by SAD/AFAG covers a multitude of initiatives:
• Elaboration of legal solutions to protect the species and its habitat.
• Activities of public awareness and environmental education.
• Research into population distribution and size, as well as causes of decline. 
• Monitoring of the “problematic” marine and coastal zones, protected areas.
Through these activities SAD/AFAG has obtained excellent results in raising awareness and by involving fishermen and the local population in its work. 


Objectives:

1) Become familiar with the advocacy and policy activities of SAD/AFAG.
2) Understand how SAD/AFAG establishes a good relationship with local fishermen and local communities. 
3) Be introduced to the tools and techniques used in Monk seal research.
4) Gain experience in the techniques used for monitoring Monk seal populations.

"The fundamental idea that I got from the WWF Exchange Programme is that the participation
of local communities is the Alfa and Omega of every good conservation project." (Srdjan Uljevic.). Srdjan, os Sunce organisation, Coratia, exchanged with SAD/AFAG.

Activities: 

Participants will be introduced to the SAD/AFAG project areas and the activities carried out in the region. They will also participate in SAD/AFAG’s usual field activities. 
The final agenda will be arranged according to participants’ needs. They will visit one of SAD/AFAG’s three field offices (Foça, Bozyazi and Karaburun) and the final decision will be made on the basis of their applications and dates of their visits. 
Applicants must rank their interest in the following activity areas:

Advocacy and policy:
a) Preparing Coastal Development Plans. 
b) Elaborating reports to denounce an offence (e.g. of a new construction) and law enforcement reports, as well as proposing new protected areas.
Raising awareness within the local community: 
a) Collaborating with local fishermen. 
b) Organizing educational activities. 

Field research activities for estimating the distribution and status of the species: 
a) Seal observation activities on land.
b) Regular controls of the identified seal caves.
c) The use of infra-red remote cameras for monitoring.
d) Gathering information about monk seal sightings from fishermen and local inhabitants.

Monitoring activities:
a) Regular controls within the protected areas. 
b) Monitoring of coastal developments. 

Logistics:

Board and lodging: participants will be accommodated in a local pension.

Dates: the project can be visited in May. Participants can stay from 7 to 10 days. 

Places: 2

Requirements:

- Fluent Turkish or English.
- Those attending field research activities must be good swimmers.
- Equipment: Guests are requested to bring their own sleeping-bag, boots, raincoat and binoculars.
- Final equipment arrangements will be advised prior to the visit of participants.

Deadlines for applications:

Srdjan Uljevic with Harun Güclüsoy
and Yalscin Savas, members of SAD/AFAG