ABSTRACT
The reason for low ‚shing productivity in North Cyprus seas manifests as unwanted pressure on sensitive habitats, nursery grounds, and nontarget species, some of which are protected by international regulations and legislation. It is assumed that arti‚cial reefs contribute positively to the productivity of ‚sheries in areas with bare substratum in their natural setting. Arti‚cial reefs to be deployed on the North Cyprus bare substratum biotopes (rocky, sandy, and muddy) should result in an increase in productivity and have positive effects on ‚sheries. Making the ‚sheries more productive would increase support from ‚shermen, which is often considered to be a rare event under these conditions. Arti‚cial reefs, therefore, can be used to achieve sustainability of the ‚sheries sector in North Cyprus. The economic, social, and environmental components of the proposed project “Sustainable Fisheries and Arti‚cial Reefs on the İskele Coasts-North Cyprus” should facilitate the establishment of integrated management of ‚sheries in the area.
