Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Reverse effect of dams on fish populations in Turkey

4^th International Conference on Fisheries & Aquaculture

November 28-30, 2016 San Antonio, USA

Ozlem Ablak Gurbuz

Texas State University, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Aquac Res Development

Abstract:

Turkey, located between Europe and Asia, has six main and 25 sub-river basins hosting 153 endemic fish species out of 368 freshwater fish. One of main activity on rivers in Turkey has been constructions of dams. As of the beginning of 2015, there are 857 dams in operation and 600 dams under construction across Turkey. Dams on rivers would change overall temperature regimes, sediment transport and biotic homogenization. Besides, dams restrict migratory fish species and might cause loss of aquatic fauna and flora particularly endemic fish species. For this reason, dams are one of the greatest global threats for freshwater biodiversity. 51% of freshwater fish species of Turkey has been reported as critically endangered (CR) and 32% of that endangered (EN). Therefore, an environmental flow in any stream is vital for fish species. This paper will focus on effects of dam constructions on freshwater fish species in Turkey and underline importance of environmental flow in a stream for fish species.

Biography :

Ozlem Ablak Gurbuz has completed her PhD at Gazi University, Turkey and Post-doctoral studies at University of Massachusetts, USA. She is a Research Scholar at Texas State University in San Marcos. She has published more than seven papers in reputed journals.

Email: ozlemablakgurbuz@yahoo.com