SUYADER Launches Community-Backed Project to Spotlight Local Fish

On 20 May 2025, our grantee Sürdürülebilir Yaşam Derneği (SUYADER), in partnership with S.S. Foça Merkez Su Ürünleri Kooperatifi, officially launched the project “Supporting Local Fisheries for Food Security: Building Resilient Food Systems and Protecting Coastal Ecosystems.”

Held in Foça, the opening meeting brought together a wide range of stakeholders — including the District Governor of Foça, local muhtars, representatives from WWF, faculty from Ege University’s Faculty of Communication, and local fishers and restaurant owners. The collaborative energy of the event set the tone for what aims to become a landmark project in the region.

🎣 The Project at a Glance:

  • Promotes the consumption of undervalued local fish species such as kefal, sarpa, and kupes

  • Aims to support small-scale coastal fishers and improve local food security

  • Introduces an “Askıda Balık” (Suspended Fish) model to reach low-income households

  • Focuses on sustainable fisheries within the Foça Special Environmental Protection Area

Buranın Balıkları (Fish of This Place) – A Local Identity

The event also marked the launch of the project’s communication identity: “Buranın Balıkları” (Fish of This Place). This local slogan and logo will serve as a unifying symbol across all outreach materials, helping to build ownership among Foça’s residents and boost visibility for local fish species.

This project is funded by the Turquoise Coast Environment Fund – Turkey (TCEF), with the support of The Conservation Collective, Türkiye Mozaik Foundation, and Sivil Toplum için Destek Vakfı.

📷 Stay tuned for more updates as “Buranın Balıkları” makes waves in coastal sustainability and community-driven action.