WWF-Kaş

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On December 9, 2006, the Official Gazette published the Council of Ministers decision that Kekova Specially Protected Area has been extended to include Kas and is renamed Kas-Kekova Specially Protected Area. This milestone achievement is the outcome of WWF Turkey's Lycian Coast Ecoregion Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Project, which was initiated in 2001.

WWF-International Explains The Project;

More marine protection for Turkey's Lycian Coast

Kaş, Turkey – In a milestone achievement for marine conservation in Turkey, the government has increased protection off the country’s south-west coast.

The popular diving area of Kaş has been added to the specially protected Kekova marine area to further conserve the area’s rich underwater biodiversity.

The new Kaş-Kekova Specially Protected Area, initially proposed by WWF-Turkey, now covers 29,000ha - including some 3,000ha of ocean off the Lycian Coast between the Patara dunes and Antalya.

“Kaş is the perfect case for a marine protected area,” said Dr Filiz Demirayak, Director of WWF-Turkey.

“It is both rich in marine biodiversity and staggeringly beautiful. More importantly, it offers a great potential for sustainable tourism as it is the diving center of Turkey.”

As part of the Lycian Coast Ecoregion Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Project, WWF-Turkey conducted a comprehensive survey of marine biodiversity, which includes coral reefs, posidonia meadows, grouper and numerous other fish species.

Over 600 dives were completed along the 200km Lycian coastline to finalize the marine survey, which includes GIS maps and coordinates of the new protected area.

“We will continue our work to develop sustainable tourism projects and better environmental management,” Demirayak added.

WWF began working on the Lycian coast in 1996 to conserve nature and to promote responsible tourism. The aim is to prevent the creation of environmentally harmful mass tourism centers in the region, and to push for the planning of tourism activities in harmony with natural and cultural values.

WWF-Turkey

Kas-Kekova Specially Protected Area (Broshure)

WWF-International about the Project

Editors Note:

'Sustainable Tourism Development and Application of Agenda 21 to Kaş' was a thesis project of the blogs editor in 2001. Accordingly, we are following the actions of WWF Turkey and supporting the project with all our efforts.

Kas-Kekova Identitiy as seen on MedPan ( Marine Protected Areas of Mediterranian)

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