# Middle East Technical University Institute of Marine Sciences

METU Institute of Marine Sciences (commonly referred as METU IMS; in Turkish: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Deniz Bilimleri Enstitüsü, ODTÜ DBE) is a research institute dedicated to education and research in marine sciences. Established in 1975, it is located on the Erdemli Campus of Middle East Technical University in Erdemli, Mersin. The institute's campus includes specialized laboratories, administrative buildings, computing and remote sensing resources, a library, an atmospheric tower, as well as facilities for housing staff and students. Additionally, the campus features a harbor to support research and fieldwork activities.

## History

The establishment of the Institute traces back to December 1974, when Professor Warren Wooster from the University of Miami was invited to METU to discuss the founding of a marine sciences department. Following a year of preliminary studies, METU's Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Department of Marine Sciences on December 21, 1974. Initially based in Ankara, the department was envisioned to relocate to Turkey’s southern coast upon the completion of a permanent campus, highlighting the importance of coastal proximity for marine sciences research.
From its inception, the Department sought to establish ties with leading international institutions. In 1975, it formed a partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California. This collaboration facilitated technology transfer, including the acquisition of designs and rights for the R/V Alpha Helix, a research vessel later built in Turkey as R/V Bilim. The partnership also provided critical scientific guidance, with experts such as Dr. William Nierenberg and Prof. Edward Goldberg visiting the Department to support education and research activities. Scripps hosted METU students and faculty for advanced training, further strengthening ties between the institutions.
In alignment with global marine conservation efforts, the Department played a pivotal role in the United Nations Environment Programme’s Mediterranean Action Plan (MED-POL) in the late 1970s. Designated as a national and regional activity center, it undertook pilot projects on monitoring heavy metal pollution, chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, petroleum hydrocarbons, and ocean currents in the Mediterranean. By the late 1970s, the Department relocated to its permanent campus in Erdemli, Mersin, equipped with laboratories, facilities, and dedicated research vessels, such as R/V Erdemli and R/V Lamas. The construction of R/V Bilim, completed in 1984, marked a significant milestone in expanding the Institute’s capacity for open-sea research. These advancements enabled the Institute to participate in high-profile research programs, including studies on the impact of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and coastal oceanography projects.
During the 1980s, the Institute joined the Physical Oceanography of the Eastern Mediterranean (POEM) project, led by Harvard University’s Prof. Allan R. Robinson. This initiative facilitated international collaboration and interdisciplinary studies in physical and biochemical oceanography, significantly advancing knowledge of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Institute expanded its research focus to include the Black Sea during the 1990s. Projects such as NATO-supported TU-FISHERIES and CoMS-BLACK explored fisheries and ecosystem dynamics, fostering collaboration among Black Sea littoral states. These efforts established METU as a key player in regional marine research and contributed to a deeper understanding of Black Sea ecology.

## Location

Although the main campus of METU is located in Ankara, the Institute of Marine Sciences was established in Mersin, a coastal region along the Mediterranean Sea in Turkey. The institute is situated at 36°40′01″N 34°15′18″E﻿ / ﻿36.66694°N 34.25500°E﻿ / 36.66694; 34.25500 in the town of Limonlu (historically known as Lamas) within the district of Erdemli. It lies approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Erdemli and 47 kilometers (29 miles) from the city of Mersin.

## The infrastructure

The institute covers an area of approximately 0.66 square kilometres (0.25 sq mi) and is bisected by the Turkish state highway D.400, which connects Mersin and Antalya. The majority of the institute's buildings are located south of the highway, near the seafront. The northern section consists of Mediterranean scrub vegetation and an abandoned stone quarry, previously utilized during the construction of Mersin Harbor.

## Education

The institute is organized into four primary divisions: Chemical Oceanography, Marine Biology and Fisheries, Marine Geology and Geophysics, and Physical Oceanography.
The academic programs are designed to equip future scientists with comprehensive education and training in their respective fields. A particular focus is placed on studying the national marine environment, aligning with the institute’s mission to advance the sustainable development and management of Turkey's marine resources.
Applicants to the programs are required to hold a Bachelor of Science degree or its equivalent in natural sciences or engineering. Additionally, candidates are expected to have a foundational understanding of subjects such as statistics, differential equations, and calculus.

## Research

The institute operates three research vessels to support its scientific activities. The primary vessel, RV/Bilim, with a capacity of 433 gross tons, is employed for extensive oceanographic research, including fisheries studies. In addition, the institute maintains two smaller vessels, the Lamas and the Erdemli, each 16 meters in length, which are utilized for daily research excursions in coastal regions.

## R/V Bilim 2

The primary research vessel of the Institute of Marine Sciences, R/V Bilim 2, was designed based on blueprints donated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California, originally used for their R/V Alpha Helix. Constructed in Istanbul and launched in 1983, the vessel features a steel hull and specifications tailored for diverse marine research activities:
* Dimensions and Performance: Length: 40.36 m, Beam: 9.47 m, Draft: 3.80 m, Tonnage: 433 gross tons (190 net tons), Maximum Speed: 11.5 knots (21 km/h), Cruising Speed: 9.5 knots (18 km/h), Range: 6,500 miles (10,460 km).
* Propulsion: Powered by an MWM diesel engine with 820 hp (611 kW) and a variable-pitch propeller, managed by a Schafran bridge control unit. Fuel capacity: 120 m³.
* Navigation and Environmental Controls: Equipped with GPS navigation, conventional radar (60-mile range), central air conditioning, and heating systems.
R/V Bilim 2 accommodates a crew of 12 and a scientific team of up to 14 members for extended missions of approximately 45 days.
The R/V Bilim 2 is equipped to support multidisciplinary marine studies through a range of specialized instruments and equipment. For oceanographic measurements, data is collected using a Sea-Bird Model 9 CTD profiling system and a General Oceanics rosette sampler with 12 bottles of 5-liter capacity, both operated via a Lebus hydrographic winch fitted with a 2000-meter cable. Onboard analytical tools include an automatic Winkler titration system, an auto-analyzer, an in-situ spectrofluorometer, and an irradiance meter. The vessel is also well-equipped for fisheries and marine biology research, featuring a Norlau hydraulic trawl winch with a 7.5-ton capacity and 2 x 1500-meter wire, as well as a hydraulic net winch with a 6-ton capacity for biological sampling. Additionally, it supports marine geological investigations with an EG&G Uniboom shallow seismic system, side-scan sonars, corers, and a Mini Rover Benthos MK II underwater remotely operated camera for seafloor surveys. This combination of advanced equipment makes the R/V Bilim 2 a versatile platform for comprehensive studies in oceanography, fisheries, marine biology, and marine geology.