Raising Public Awareness for ICM in Turkey: The Coast Day Experience

Turkey, a partner of two UNEP Regional Seas Programmes in both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, has a considerable history on integrated coastal management. However, governmental bodies still lack in the implementation of this concept. Additionally, public awareness has not matured yet enough to act as a triggering force for integrated coastal management in the country. Therefore, the aim of present study is to discuss the public point of view on ICM depending on the results of the survey and to present 2007 outputs of the Coast Day Campaign in Turkey. Hence, appropriate strategies may be formed to widen and make ICM an effective national concept and to increase Turkey's constitution to the sustainability of both basins. The preliminary survey had outstanding results proving the need for such initiatives in Turkey. The public had pointed some issues which address some needs or challenges for integrated coastal management in the country. The preliminary survey had outstanding results proving the need for initiatives to raise the public awareness in Turkey. The public had pointed some issues which address some needs or challenges for integrated coastal management in the country