Project Update: October 2008

I would like to let you know that there are quite some progression on the development of the Fish Filter and ‘Scare-Fish’ project of ours.

Although the wild-forest fire I mentioned previously was a catastrophic incident for the region it did not have as much impact on our project as I was worried.

The entire filtering system was built quite successfully. I built the filter-screen frames and I commissioned the construction task of the main filter structure to a metal shop in Antalya called /Kivrak/. Erdogan Erden there executed the main frame quite successfully and meticulously. It was tested that the filter-screen frames and the main filter structure work together very well. The main structure was painted and was posted with RSGF Logo and an information sign (see photos) The sign is in Turkish which translates as:

Beskonak Village

*Irrigation Filter for Protecting Young Fish*

This project is our gift to the dear people of Beskonak Village to prevent the young fish from escaping with the irrigation water from the Itice Stream to the fields to ensure that the next generations could also enjoy fishing in the Koprucay River.

*The Rufford Small Grants*

I have further collaborated with the local residents of the Beskonak Village both for project implementation and for training objectives. I met with the village headman, the imam of the village mosque, and four council members of the village board. Along with these critical figures I also met some other influential people from the village who will have critical impact on the successfulimplementation of the project. I built a scale model of the filtering system and used it during the meetings, which has proven to be a very effective tool. Eventually I have gained significant support from the locals. The installation of the system to the field was scheduled for next spring when the irrigation starts and when the young fish start to return the main river. The headman and some other local residents have volunteered to transport the filtering device from the work shop in Antalya to the Beskonak village and to store it there. I will further disseminate the collaboration efforts with the entirety of the village upon my return to the site for the installation.

I will give a seminar to the man and women of the village with an awareness raising purpose on better management of the natural resources. The initial objective is on the maintenance of the fish filter system. This seminar will be held in the village school building.

I have consulted with the national park management, presented the development of the project and have confirmed that their support and permission are ongoing.

Please review the web site of the project which was updated with the final progress.
http://people.umass.edu/nedkem/FF/ffproblem.html