EMU AT UNESCO

EMU was represented at UNESCO 1st Underwater Culture Heritage meeting in Paris on 26th and 27th March 2009. Underwater Archaeologist Hakan Oniz, who is the Vice Director for EMU Underwater Research and Imaging Center, attended the convention titled “UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage” as an observer.

The meeting was opened by a previous Secretary General of United Nations, Javier Perez De Cuellar. A total of 20 state parties were in attendance and these were Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Cuba, Ecuador, Lebanon, Libya, Lithonia, Serbia, Nigeria, Portugal, Romania, Santa Lucia, Slovenia, Spain, Mexico, and Ukraine. Moreover, a group of countries also applied to be state parties such as Albania, Grenada, Tunisia and Slovakia. Apart from these permanent delegates or experts attended the meeting from 61 different countries as observers. Only nine organizations including EMU were invited to participate in the meeting as an institution of special interest in the subject. Four organizations out of nine currently work with UNESCO (ICOMOS, IKUWA, ACUA, ICOM) on a regular basis.




EMU URIC AT ECBA ADMINISTRATION

Dr. Burak Ali Cicek, who is the Head of URIC was elected to the ECBA’s (European Countries Biology Association), `Professional Biology Accreditation Commission`. On 28th March 2009 at Kyrenia Colony Hotel’ Cicek was elected by the votes of the biologists who were personally present at the voting or cast their ballots online.

5th EASTERN MEDITERANEAN UNDERWATER FESTIVAL ENDED

From 19 countries, 54 films and 62 photographers attended our festival this year. The experts of underwater world got together at EMU halls from March 19th to the 21st. During the festival, approximately a hundred productions were shared with the audience and among the participants in the film category, there were well known people working with the German ZDF and the National Geographic Channel. For Further details http://www.emu.edu.tr/underwater

The festival is a member of United Nations Environment Program (UNEP MAP – Info RAC) and EUIFA (European Underwater Imaging Festivals Association). News about this festival were published in countless websites, magazines, newspapers and aired on TV channels, even including a TV channel airing in Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia).

3RD INTERNATIONAL UNDERWATER RESARCH SYMPOSIUM

Green Hall at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies housed yet another very successful conference - the Third International Underwater Research Symposium. There were many brilliant papers presented during the three days. The topics for the symposium generally focused on underwater archaeology, marine biology and underwater medicine. The opening presentation was made by Mr. Melik Ayaz, who works with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in Turkey. The Symposium was supported by DAN Europe and GAMA. For further details http://www.emu.edu.tr/underwater

ISTANBUL KUCUKCEKMECE LAKE SURVEY WAS ELECTED AS FIRST PLACE OUT OF 452 EXCAVATIONS AND SURVEYS IN TURKEY BY NTV HISTORY MAGAZINE

EMU URIC commenced a new project in collaboration with the Kocaeli University, Istanbul University and Bristol University. This project titled `` Istanbul Prehistoric Survey`` commenced in August 2008 and EMU URIC is responsible for the marine section (on the surface and underwater) of this project. During the survey, there was a magnificent discovery of an ancient city and a light house lying underwater of the lake. This survey was selected as the first place out of 452 excavations and surveys in Turkey. This discovery was published on the covers of National Geographic Turkey magazine, Cumhuriyet Science and Technique Magazine and Actual Archeology Magazines. Hurriyet and Milliyet newspapers published this news at their headlines. NTV also prepared a documentary about this discovery and the excavation efforts.




EMU URIC CONDUCT SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT

According to the protocol signed among the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, and EMU URIC under the presidency of Dr. Burak Ali Cicek, URIC Team can continue to conduct researches for the protection of Sea Turtles on the Iskele and Famagusta shores. Nest areas are being observed, the conditions of the eggs are being monitored and finally the hatchlings are recorded. Nests, throughout this project are being protected from the external factors. URIC is now getting ready for the new season with a new project.



ANTALYA SHORES ARE BEING SEARCHED BY EMU-URIC

At the summer of 2009, Antalya (from Kemer to Adrasan coast) underwater survey will begin with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey. This survey aims to find antique harbors and archeological shipwrecks in this area. The permission was taken on behalf of Hakan Oniz and will conduct the research with support from the EMU-URIC team.

THE PROJECTS OF EMU-URIC AT NORTH CYPRUS SHORES

This project, which was conducted at Kumkoy shores, aims to analyze all chemical and biological conditions and characteristics of the sea. Dr. Burak Ali Cicek, who is leading this project is observing the sea pollution levels focusing on petrochemical pollution. Additionally, there is another project, which is also headed by Dr. Burak Ali Cicek aims for a study on the protection of the TRNC shores. Both projects are financed by United Nations.

MERSIN-KELENDERIS HARBOR EXCAVATION CONTINUES AT 2009

The ancient harbor of Kelenderis (Mersin-Aydincik) excavation will be continuing in the summer of 2009. This excavation realized with the Presidency of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Levent Zoroglu for 5 years. This excavation is the first Turkish harbor excavation. EMU URIC is working on the ancient quay at the depths ranging from 5m to 27m.



TUBITAK-UNDERWATER ARCHEOLOGY AND URIC

TUBITAK has recently conducted training camps under the name of “Scientific Diver Education Programs” where groups of 20 participants from all the Universities meet in one place. The topics for the camps are Marine Biology, Underwater imaging, Underwater Archaeology and more. The trainings given on Underwater Archaeology is provided by Mr. Hakan Oniz, who is the Vice President of URIC.