The Association for the Protection of Marine Life (DYKD), which has carried out many prestigious projects on marine ecosystem and protection since its establishment, has received the Blue Flag with the boat Valmira, on which it carries out its projects.

 

The sea is the future, food, energy and life. The sea is also the source of two out of every three breaths we take. DYKD, chaired by Volkan Narcı, was founded in Heybeliada in 2015 with these thoughts in mind and continues to work for the marine ecosystem. Last year, with the support of Setur Marinas, the association achieved a first in Turkey within the scope of the project "Sustainability Adventure from Marmara to Mediterranean" and documented coastal life at 90 different points in 1,680 nautical miles. By prioritizing the Marmara Sea, it continues to work meticulously on issues such as the creation of coral reefs, cleaning ghost nets from the seabed and upcycling them, establishing marine protected areas, creating management plans, and raising awareness and love for the sea through books, magazines, resources, exhibitions, etc. As an NGO that focuses on the sea, DYKD has now achieved yet another success, becoming the first NGO to be the proud owner of a Blue Flag boat. DYKD's Valmira, whose motto is "We fight for nature together with nature, with its permission", with the reference of Setur Marinas and the support of Ayvalık Setur Marina, first passed the strict examination of the Turkish team and then obtained the approval of the international committee and became one of the 10 boats awarded the Blue Flag in Turkey.

 

 

The Blue Flag Award Program, which was first implemented internationally in France in 1985, in the European Union in 1987 and in Turkey in 1993, is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an independent non-governmental organization. Today, the Blue Flag Program is implemented in 50 countries around the world, 30 of which are in Europe, and the Turkish Foundation for Environmental Education (TÜRÇEV) is the only authorized organization responsible for implementing it in Turkey.

 

The Blue Flag is a symbolic flag awarded for one year to yachts that fulfill the criteria set for environmental management, environmental education and information, life safety and services. It is a system developed to help award-winning marinas encourage yachts to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors and help them improve themselves in this context, and it does not qualify as a certification. However, it shows that the yacht owner is environmentally conscious and voluntarily complies with the rules and criteria. Individual yachts that are connected to a Blue Flag award-winning marina, that are environmentally conscious, that document with the Blue Card that they regularly deliver their sewage, bilge and solid wastes to licensed collection facilities, and that set an example in protecting and using the environment consciously are entitled to hang the symbolic Blue Flag. Of course, the main aim is to draw the attention of the yacht owner, yacht captain, staff and passengers to the protection of the sea and its environment.

 

To qualify for the Blue Flag, a number of important environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. Since 2007, a category for individual yachts has also been opened. This decision aims to promote "responsible navigation behavior" among yachtsmen, particularly environmental education and environmental management.




On this occasion, let us also list the rules of conduct that must be observed:

 

            1.        Observing the speed limit in bays (maximum 3 knots)


            2.        Being sensitive in terms noise pollution while anchored in bays


            3.        No littering in the sea and coastal areas


            4.        Not throwing toxic wastes (oil, paint, used batteries, cleaning materials, etc.) into the sea


            5.        Providing sorting facilities for recycling waste materials such as glass, plastic and metal


            6.        Ensuring that vegetable waste oils generated after cooking are regularly collected and delivered to a licensed company


            7.        Preferring environmentally friendly products such as anti-fouling and paint remover


            8.        Using only clean water for cleaning on yachts


            9.        Reporting pollution or any violation of environmental rules to the authorities immediately


            10.      Compliance with the prohibitions imposed on the fishing season, fishing areas and not fishing with prohibited methods


            11.      Protecting marine plants and animals and paying attention to bird breeding areas

            12.      Paying attention to endangered and protected areas


            13.      Not anchoring in a way that damages the seabed


            14.      Avoiding disturbing areas where fishing is taking place or where fishing gear is located

            15.      Not buying or using items made from endangered/protected species or archaeological remains recovered from underwater


            16.      Keeping the yacht's toilet and kitchen units clean and well maintained


            17.      Encouraging other yachtsmen to take care of the environment