RECREATIONAL FISHING IN KEBAN DAM LAKE UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE AND INVASION PRESSURE

This study aimed to evaluate recreational anglers' perceptions of climate change, fishing habits, and experiences with invasive species around the Keban Dam Lake, a region where freshwater ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to environmental stressors.A total of 184 male amateur fishermen participated in face-to-face surveys, and the data were analyzed based on sociodemographic characteristics, environmental awareness, and species knowledge.The findings revealed that 86% of participants believed that climate change would negatively affect recreational fishing activities, with this perception being more prevalent among university graduates (65.4%), individuals with 40 or more years of experience (72.2%), and those aged 61-75 years (69.8%).These results suggest that age, education, and fishing experience increase environmental awareness.Similarly, awareness of the invasive species Carassius gibelio followed a similar trend, with 61.5% of university graduates and 68.2% of experienced anglers reporting encounters with this species.Additionally, 73.8% of the respondents observed a decline in fish abundance, indicating the compounded impact of climate change and biological invasions on fish populations and angling success.These insights highlight the need for targeted educational programs, community-based monitoring, and policy interventions to promote ecological sustainability and climate resilience.Integrating local knowledge with scientific research can enhance recreational fishers' adaptive capacity and foster stewardship.In conclusion, climate change and invasive species pose direct threats to recreational fishing, and proactive strategies-such as public awareness campaigns, habitat protection, and invasive species control-are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of freshwater fisheries in Trkiye.