Creating a haven along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast with Zafer Kizilkaya

“Even in ten years we changed the entire ecosystem in Gökova Bay and fisheries.” The world’s oceans have been depleted of many important species through overfishing. Removing parts of the sea’s ecosystem and the introduction of invasive species can have far reaching consequences both in and on the water. Zafer Kizilkaya is an award winning conservationist. In 2012 he founded the Mediterranean Conservation Society which built and oversaw Turkey’s first community-managed Marine Protected Area. These MPAs have now expanded along the Turquoise Coast and have seen balance returning to their ecosystems. Zafer also helped to reduce the number of invasive species by encouraging local fishermen to catch lionfish and rabbitfish, and for local fine-dining chefs to include them on the menus in their restaurants.Join rewilding enthusiast and financier Ben Goldsmith as he speaks to environmental trail blazers from all corners of the globe.Recent climate science seems to paint a picture of despair with irreparable damage being done to our natural world. But there are rays of hope. Across the planet people are carrying out astonishing work, returning large areas of land and oceans back to their former glory.This podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach. Text Rewilding the World here. Let us know what you think of the podcast and if there are any rewilding projects you would love Ben to feature in future episodes.