Mediterranean monk seals: people

Fishermen, scientists, and volunteers working together

Some of the many fishermen and local people

Ahmet Ali Safak

Head of the Aydincik Fishery Cooperative

I am responsible for running the newly reopened Aydincik Fishery Cooperative. I am very happy to be working with SAD-AFAG - the people of Aydincik are very excited to have a cooperative once again, and our quality of life should improve. Also, there should be enough fish for both the fishermen and the monk seals.

"Thanks to this project, the fishermen are helping to save the marine ecosystem."

Ahmet "Charlie" Orhan

Board member, Aydincik Fishery Cooperative

I've been a fisherman all my life. I have been involved in the Aydincik Fishery Cooperative since 1991, both the original one and the newly reopened one. I've always thought that protecting the environment is important. In the 1960s I fought against a nuclear power station that was planned for the area, because it would have led to the sea water being 2°C warmer.

But actually I don't like individual fights, I prefer working for common causes. As well as trying to protect the monk seal with SAD-AFAG, I'm also involved in the management of another cooperation that's trying to save the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). And I've never been pessimistic - I am sure we will succeed!

"If we hurt nature, it will hurt us badly."

Ömer Demiryürek

Volunteer patrol boat crew, Aydincik

I have been working as a volunteer boat driver since 2002 with the "information network" that SAD-AFAG and the fishermen in the Cilician Basin set up to stop illegal fisheries. I'll continue to be a driver in the new local marine patrolling system being run by the Aydincik Fishery Cooperative and the local governor.

"I used to be a water technician for agricultural areas. After I retired, I wanted to do something to help the marine environment."

Yalçin Savas

Head of Conservation, SAD-AFAG 

"Local fishermen know the natural balance very well because they live with it."

Due to my various responsibilities, there is no a unique day for me. Sometimes I have to work in the office for days, and other times I work in the field in different parts of Turkey, monitoring and investigating monk seal habitat and populations.

When I am in Foça, I always meet with fishermen and board members of the Foça Fishery Cooperative for at least a couple of minutes each day. During field work outside Foça, I also contact local artisanal fishermen.

I ask about seal sightings, learn about their feelings, attitudes, and problems, and give information to raise their sensitization on various matters related to fisheries and conservation. I sometimes give lectures at schools, visit local and national authorities for lobbying, and attend patrols by the Foça Fishery Cooperative against illegal fishing. A few times a year I have to deal with our boats and dive equipment, and work with technical staff on maintenance and fixing problems.

Biography: I was born in 1966, and met up with SAD-AFAG while studying geology at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. I became Project Executant of the Foça Pilot Project, SAD-AFAG's first large project. I still work from the Foça Project Office.

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Ahmet Bolat

Cilician Basin Project Coordinator, SAD-AFAG

"The only way to protect coastal habitats is in cooperation with local fishermen."

So how did I end up in conservation?
In 1997, I was working doing surveys. SAD-AFAG asked me to do a survey of the fishing villages on the Mediterranean coast, asking about their attitudes to monk seals. I didn't know it at the time, but I ended up doing four years' work in just four months, as I asked all kinds of socio-economic questions and questions about the problems they were facing. When Yalçin saw this, he asked me to stay working for SAD-AFAG. A project office was opened in Bozyazi, and that's where I'm still based.

What do I like about the work?
I like everything: talking to fishermen, doing field research, the satisfaction of convincing mayors and governments to work with us. I'm not an indoors person, I love being out in the field. I want to stay working in the field - all my experience will be lost if I end up working in an office.

Is there anything I don't like about the job?
It's sometimes frustrating doing public relations work with government officials, but then when they come over to our side, it's great.

How would I describe myself?
I'm logical, hard-working, and I never give up.

Want to do my job?
You'll need to be hard-working - sometimes we're in the field from six in the morning until midnight. You'll also need to not care about money. So you'll need an understanding and supportive partner too! You'll need to like people, be flexible, and be prepared to understand other cultures and points of view. And, if you come from a city, you'll need to be able to adapt to living in small towns where the social life is more limited.

Biography: I was born in 1970. I met SAD-AFAG and the monk seals in 1997, and have been with them ever since, based at the Bozyazi Project Office. I'm also studying Public Relations at university.


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Yesim Aslan

Communications Officer, SAD-AFAG

" The thing I love about this job is that it's about the sea."

I am SAD-AFAG's newest employee, and the youngest. As Communications Officer, I am responsible for maintaining our members list, sending them news, writing press releases, contacting journalists, and preparing sponsorship files for any events we are planning.

So how did I end up in conservation?
I studied public relations and advertizing, but actually, I always wanted to be a film director. I have been making films since I was 16, but you need money for this, and that means you need a job.

However, I wanted to work for a non-governmental organization (NGO), and not for anyone else. NGOs have problems with communications in Turkey, and I wanted to help with this in some way. When I saw the job advertized at SAD-AFAG, I wanted it very much. I still want to be a film director, but even if I were, I would still want to help SAD-AFAG!

How would I describe myself?
I believe that visions are the most important things, that's why I love cinema. I also love our planet and care very much about it. I'm very emotional, and I love communication - it's the key for living.

Want to do my job?
You'll need to be easy going, polite, and not complicated. You'll need to be able to communicate with everyone, from fishermen to scientists and government officials. You'll also need to keep up-to-date with current events and know what's happening in the world.

Is there anything I don't like about the job?
No, there's nothing!

Biography: I was born in 1980, and graduated from the Public Relations and Advertizing Department of Baskent University in Ankara. I have been working for SAD-AFAG since May 2003, in the Ankara Coordination Office.

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Ayhan Tonguc

Volunteer, SAD-AFAG

"I've always had a deep interest in the sea"

I am responsible for technical and logistical issues within the team based at the Foça Project Office. This means I fix anything that's broken, from office equipment to the boats, and do whatever else needs doing. I also drive people and equipment between the different SAD-AFAG offices.

So how did I end up in conservation?
I used to work in a bank, but I retired as soon as I could. Normally retired people gamble, but I don't like that. What I love is the sea - I used to go swimming and diving by myself, and I've done amateur line and underwater fishing for many years. Then I met Yalçin, and when I found out that SAD-AFAG does what I love for their work, I wanted to help them, so I became a volunteer.

What do I like about the work?
I love driving, but what I like best is setting up the cameras to film monk seals and then watching them. I'm a technical person, so this job suits me.

Is there anything I don't like about the job?
No - I wouldn't do it if I didn't like it.

How would I describe myself?
Calm, and able to adapt to any situation.

Want to do my job?
The most important thing you'll need is patience: sometimes we need to wait as long as 15 days to see a monk seal. You'll also need to love the job - it will be hard to go on if you don't.

Biography: I was born in 1948, and was a service manager in a bank before I retired. I've done volunteer work for SAD-AFAG for 6 years, and in 2000 I started as a full-time volunteer at the Foça Project Office.

Ugur Yolak

Financial and Administrative Officer, SAD-AFAG

Biography: I was born in 1975, and I graduated from the Political Sciences Labor Economy and Industrial Relations Department at Ankara University. I have been working as Financial and Administrative Officer at SAD-AFAG's Ankara Coordination Office since April 2003.

Yesim A. Caglayan

Education and Public Awareness Officer, SAD-AFAG

Biography: I was born in 1974, and I graduated from the Biology Department at Hacettepe University, in Ankara. I met SAD-AFAG during my university years and started working as a volunteer. I've been working professionally at the Ankara Coordination Office since 1998.


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Harun Guclusoy

Head of Communications, SAD-AFAG

"Among all the project activities, I love talking with fishermen the most."

I am based at the Foça Project Office, and work mostly in the office. I manage staff working in the SMAP-funded project, arrange official duties, collect reports from fields, and so on.

I want to emphasize that our work will not finish when the SMAP funding ends. Our aims and targets are vitally important for us. Thanks to this project we have started to reach our aims, and we will continue.

Biography: I was born in 1972, and I graduated from the Biology Department of the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. I worked as Project Coordinator of SAD-AFAG's Foca Pilot Project in 1994. I also did a Masters Degree on monk seals, and I am currently doing a doctorate - on monk seals of course!
 

N.Ozan Veryeri

Karaburun Project Coordinator, SAD-AFAG 

"Meeting different people in public awareness activities and explaining our aims and efforts to them is fascinating. I love what we do."

Biography: I was born in 1973, and I graduated from the Industrial Design Department of the Middle East Technical University. I have been involved in several of SAD-AFAG's short-term research and field activities. After a short break in 1999, I started working in the Karaburun Project Office in 2000.

Nuray Guven Veryeri

Karaburun Communications Officer, SAD-AFAG

"Reaching fishermen is not always easy, because they believe that we are trying to limit their food. But we explain our aims to them one by one, and in this way we move forward. The success of this project keeps us motivated."

Biography: I was born in 1973, and graduated from the Biology Departmentof Hacettepe University in Ankara. I started working with SAD in the Marine Mammals Research Group, and have been working in SAD-AFAG's Karaburun Project Office since 2001.


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Çigdem Akcura

Karaburun Project Assistant, SAD-AFAG

Biography: I was born in 1963, and graduated from the Business Department of Eskisehir Anatolian University in Ankara. I have been working in SAD-AFAG's Karaburun Project Office since October 2000.

Hasan Orek

Fisheries Biologist and SAD-AFAG volunteer

Biography: I graduated from the Aqua Products Department at the Aegean University, Greece, in 1996. Between 1997 and 2000 I did a Masters Degree at the Middle East Technical University, Institute of Marine Sciences, where I met SAD-AFAG. I have been less involved in research and field activities for the past two years, but I am a "sealer" forever. 

Cem Orkun Kiraç

AFAG Coordinator

Biography: I was born in 1963. As part of the Sub Aqua Club at the Middle East Technical University in Anakara, I participated in the formation of SAD-AFAG in 1987. I had a short-term professional job with SAD-AFAG, but since then have supported SAD-AFAG's research and administrative activities as a volunteer, based at the Ankara Coordination Office.


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Gul Moran

Biologist and SAD-AFAG volunteer

Biography: I was born in 1969. I graduated from the Biology Department at Stirling University, Scotland, and did a Masters Degree ar Kent University Durrell Institute of Ecology and Conservation Biology. I work as a volunteer for SAD-AFAG.

Atila Uras

Marine Projects Coordinator, WWF Mediterranean Programme

"It's very important to involve people in a project if you want it to be successful. This project is a good example of this."

I provide technical assistance to various projects run by the WWF Mediterranean Programme. This includes monitoring project activities and evaluating technical reports from the projects. I visit the projects I coordinate about once every two weeks.

These projects include the monk seal project with SAD-AFAG in Turkey, and ecoregional conservation projects in Dalmatia, Croatia, and the Lycian coast, Turkey. I also support the capacity building team of the WWF Mediterranean Programme, as well as small project grants and educational programmes.

So how did I end up in conservation?
When I was young, I wanted to be an underwater archaeologist. This changed to wanting to be a ship engineer, but I ended up studying civil engineering at university. Luckily there was a coastal engineering department at the Middle East Technical University, and I specialized in this. My professors were all divers, and they helped establish the Sub Aqua Club, which I joined, even though I didn't dive then.

I helped the club become SAD, writing the by-laws and doing other things. After university, I didn't want to work as an engineer. I instead joined a Turkish NGO called DHKD (Dogal Hayati Koruma Dernegi - The Turkish Society for the Protection of Nature), which was supported by WWF and eventually became WWF-Turkey. And now I work for WWF's Mediterranean Programme.

What do I like about the work?
I love the challenges, trying to solve problems, travelling, and meeting new people and cultures. I also love the passion of the job - I've never been bored or stuck in a routine.

Is there anything I don't like about the job?
There's hardly anything I don't like. Perhaps it's because I compare it with the alternative of being a civil engineer - I am so delighted and thankful to have found this job. I was proud of WWF even before I started working for them, so when I was offered this job it was a feeling of huge satisfaction.

How would I describe myself?
I'm someone who likes enjoying life. I'm punctual, efficient, logical, analytically minded, and I'm also someone who likes people and can make contacts with them easily. Plus I'm a great cook!

Biography: I was born in 1968, and graduated from the Engineering Department of the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. After university I worked for DHKD, which became WWF-Turkey. I have been working for the WWF Mediterranean Programme since 2001, based in Rome, Italy.

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