Page 284 - 7. State Of Environment Report Of Türkiye

Map 18 Marmara Sea and Islands Special Environmental Protection Area (MoEUCC, 2024)

The Marmara Sea is an important and rich region in terms of biodiversity and is home to 52 ma-
rine species including Mediterranean monk seals and 200 fish species. It is also the spawning
ground for many migratory species. There are also special habitats such as soft coral reefs con-
sisting of corals endemic to the Mediterranean, seagrass beds, coralligenous habitats, canyons,
sea caves, mussel and oyster banks.

The Marmara Sea has become the last refuge for the critically endangered Pina Mussel (Pinna
nobilis) as a result of mass deaths across the Mediterranean due to the infectious parasite seen
between 2016-2019. The Pina Mussel, which lives with a part of its shell buried in the seabed and
filters and cleans about 6 litres of sea water per hour, is a holding, breeding and hiding place for
many living things with such shells.

Image 1 Prens Islands PRENS ISLANDS
The Prens Islands include 9 islands (Kınalıada,
Burgazada, Heybeliada, Büyükada, Sedefada,
Kaşıkadası, Tavşanadası, Yassıada, Sivriada) in the
Marmara Sea and harbour 4 different ecosystems:
forest ecosystem, maquis ecosystem, meadow
ecosystem and cliff ecosystem.

283