Located in the east of Çukurova Delta formed by the Seyhan and Ceyhan rivers, Yumurtalık Lagoons is a wetland ecosystem that provides shelter and breeding opportunities for thousands of birds with its complex structure.
The Yumurtalık Lagoons, which was declared a Nature Conservation Area in 1994 and taken under protection, is under threat due to pollution caused by human activities, illegal hunting and agricultural land development on meadows, pastures, and dunes. The project was prepared with the aim of protecting the area within the framework of these problems. It was supported by the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Company Environmental Investment Program and it was carried out between November 2004 and November 2007.
Within the scope of the project carried out in the Yumurtalık Lagoons, one of the most important wetlands on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey;
• Previous studies on the area were compiled in order to prepare the Yumurtalık Lagoon Management Plan,
• The changes in the coastline of the Yumurtalık Lagoons due to the change of bed of the Ceyhan River in the last 60 years and the effects of these changes were determined.
• Important bird habitats and bird species that breed, spend the winter and migrate through the area and their numbers were determined and mapped
• Suggestions were made for increasing fish yield in Yumurtalık Lagoons and for fishing in compliance with the Ramsar Convention.
• Vegetation, habitat and land use maps were obtained
• The socio-economic status of the area was defined
• Ramsar Management Planning course was organized with the participation of stakeholders who will actively participate in management planning studies
• For the establishment of “Local Wetland Commission” for Yumurtalık Lagoons: Suggestions were made for the establishment, job definition and legal basis of the Yumurtalık Lagoons Wetland Commission, the establishment of the commission was ensured and its institutionalization was supported.
• Wetland Conservation Areas were determined and mapped.