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What are invasive alien species?
Species that move from their native ecosystem
into another where they prolifically grow and prevail the new ecosystem are called
invasive alien species.
Invasive Alien Species (IAS) have been identified by the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs (MFWA) as one of the principal threats to Turkey’s marine biodiversity. Approximately 450 IAS have been reported on the coasts of Turkey. Some 472 species of marine fish have been identified, of which 50% are believed to be at risk of decline due to a combination of threats. This vulnerability is mainly due to the fact that Turkey is surrounded by three different marine environments, with high endemism but at the same time having high risk of entry of IAS. Currently, approximately 450 IAS have been reported along the coast of Turkey and 21 species in the Turkish Black Sea.