NEDIM KEMER

FISH FILTER /
"SCARE-FISH" PROJECT
for irrigating responsibly - 2008


Problem

Proposal

Design Development

Implementation and Collaboration

Implementation
The filtering system has been completely constructed. The Kivrak Metal Shop in Antalya, Turkey was commissioned for the main frame structure and Erdogan Erden constructed and painted the frame there. Meanwhile, a set of four filter-screen frames was built by the project leader.






Collaboration
Strong connections were established with the local residents for collaborating on the installation and maintenance of the filter. The project leader met with 12 critical residents of the Beskonak village including headman, four council members of the village board, and the imam of the village mosque. The project phases were introduced and discussed in detail.

A scale-model of the filtering system was an instrumental part of the meetings. The locals expressed that they were aware of the problem yet they did not think something could be done. However, after seeing the model they enthusiastically adopted the idea. They were also pleased that they did not have to pay for the construction of the device as this was funded by the Rufford Organization. They also committed to guarding and maintaining the device.

The headman and the villagers collaboratively volunteered to transport the filtering system from Antalya to Beskonak village and to store it there until the installation, which was scheduled for mid June 2009 when the fish start to return.

A public training seminar on sustainable natural resources management with a focus on the maintenance of the filtering device has also been scheduled for June. The headman and the imam have suggested gathering men and women of the village in the school building so the project leader could present the project to the public.

The locals pointed out another two irrigation channels located in the upper stream of the same stream (Itice) that should be considered for two more filtering systems. The need for the implementations of additional systems was confirmed after the project leader further explored the site with the guidance of locals. Two other irrigation channels were found concealed under tick vegetation. These two channels are relatively small in comparison to the channel that is the initial target of this project in terms of the volume of the water they drain from the river although less harmful they interrupt the fish reproduction cycle. Currently, further funding is being sought for these two newly discovered irrigation spots. It was encouraging to observe the fact that the locals have pointed out the other spots and asked for two additional filtering systems.

Meanwhile, the "Scare-Fish" element of the project is currently under construction. (Last updated September 2, 2008)