Technology & Practice Engagement to Prevent Aquatic-Ecosystem Damage

Atatürk University engages in direct research, applied development and industry‐partnership activities focused on technologies and practices that help aquaculture and freshwater aquatic industries minimise or prevent damage to ecosystems. Through its Faculty of Fisheries, Inland Fisheries Research & Application Unit, and emerging training programmes in water and waste management, the university collaborates with producers, hatcheries and local industry to apply sustainable technologies, monitor environmental impact, and develop best practices for the aquatic sector.

1) Institutional base & research infrastructure

• The Faculty of Fisheries’ Inland Fisheries Research & Application Unit produces around 10 tonnes of trout and 2 million fry annually, indicating active aquaculture systems under controlled management rather than extraction-only operations. Atatürk Üniversitesi

• The University has launched a vocational programme: “Water and Waste Management Technician” at the Technical Sciences Vocational School (TBMYO) which trains specialists in water management and waste reduction technologies, relevant to aquatic-industry ecosystems. Atatürk Üniversitesi

• The university’s research publications and external reference show engagement in aquaculture sustainability, nutrient and water quality monitoring, feed technology, and production system design. (e.g., national research on sustainable fish farming practices in Türkiye) ResearchGate

2) Technology and practice interventions for aquatic industry

• Controlled aquaculture production systems: By producing fish under controlled hatchery conditions, the Unit reduces pressure on wild populations, produces broodstock/fries, and supports local aquaculture enterprises—thus contributing to sustainable use of aquatic resources and ecosystem protection.

• Water and waste management training: The “Water & Waste Management Technician” programme imparts knowledge and skills in water-treatment, discharge management, nutrient control, waste recycling, which are directly relevant to aquaculture and aquatic industries (which often produce effluent or feed-waste).

• Monitoring and water‐quality awareness: The university’s academic work and applied units monitor water quality, nutrient loads, and aquaculture effluent (as seen in wider Turkish research). This supports industry in adopting best-practice monitoring systems that minimise ecosystem damage.

• Outreach to producers: Via its Faculty of Fisheries, the University engages with local aquaculture producers, sharing knowledge on sustainable husbandry, feed optimisation, stock management, and environmental monitoring, which helps reduce negative impacts on lakes, rivers, reservoirs.

• Innovation potential: Though not all projects are specifically labelled “marine industry,” the inland aquaculture work and water-management training provide transferable technologies and practices that aquatic industries (including freshwater and possibly marine) can adopt to prevent ecosystem degradation (e.g., nutrient/discharge control, feed optimisation, hatchery systems).

3) Engagement with industry / producers / local stakeholders

• The Inland Fisheries Research & Application Unit works with local fish‐farmers/hatcheries: this is an industry link (small‐scale aquaculture industry) where the University provides technical support for sustainable production methods.

• The vocational water/waste technician programme prepares graduates who can work in water‐treatment, aquaculture effluent management, fish‐farm infrastructure, hatchery maintenance: this links academia to industry practices that protect aquatic ecosystems.

• The University’s research outputs (and location in a region with freshwater industry) position it to influence local aquatic industries, hatcheries, cooperatives and water-use sectors to adopt technologies and practices that minimise damage.

4) Ecosystem focus & prevention of damage

• The University’s work emphasises preventive practices: rather than just restoration, the aquaculture production unit and the training programmes aim to reduce stressors on aquatic ecosystems (over-capture, effluent discharge, feed waste, nutrient overload) by promoting sustainable production.

• The water & waste training addresses discharge, contamination, effluent recycling, nutrient load reduction, which helps prevent environmental damage to lakes and rivers around Eastern Anatolia.

• By producing fish seed rather than relying on wild capture, Atatürk University reduces pressure on wild populations and aquatic ecosystems, thereby contributing to ecosystem protection and sustainability of the aquatic industry.

5) Evidence of continuity & institutionalization

• The production figures from the Inland Fisheries Research & Application Unit show that the aquaculture activities are operational and ongoing. Atatürk Üniversitesi

• The launch of the vocational programme in 2025 shows institutional commitment to training in water/waste technologies relevant to aquatic industry sustainability. Atatürk Üniversitesi

• The national aquaculture research literature identifies the importance of water quality and sustainable practices in Türkiye’s aquaculture sector—which Atatürk University is contributing to. ResearchGate

6) Summary Table of Key Technologies/Practices & Partners