Turkey’s first marine museum to exhibit rare Mediterranean species

Some 500 species of marine animals and endangered species specific to the Mediterranean will be showcased in Turkey’s first marine biology museum, which opens in Antalya, a popular tourist hub in the country.

The Antalya Marine Biology Museum will allow visitors a rare chance to view the rare creatures, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily News reported on Friday.

“With the museum, the people will have the chance to examine marine life and endangered species closely,” said Mustafa Akaydin, mayor of Antalya.

Among the creatures on display are three endangered species, such as the Angel Shark, Guitarfish and the Angular Rough Shark.

Marine animals such as bony fishes, shrimps, shellfishes, lobsters, in addition to nine species of sharks and 10 species of flat sharks will be also be on display.

The museum’s oldest species is a Pig Shark caught in 1998 in the Marmara Sea, said Aquaculture Engineer Elif Ozgür Özbek, designer of Antalya Marine Biology Museum.

“It has been the same without being spoiled for 16 years,” he said.

Considered to be the first of its kind in Turkey, the museum aims to spread awareness about marine protection.

Antalya is considered to be Turkey’s biggest international sea resort, becoming the world’s third most visited city in 2012, reported the daily.