Abstract

This study, conducted for the first time in Turkey within the framework of the EU Natura 2000 conservation approach, aimed to map and evaluate marine habitats in the Samandağ-Hatay region of the Northeast Mediterranean, with particular emphasis on a ray field habitat characterized by the presence of diverse elasmobranch species. It was found that habitat was mainly sandy bottoms (90.53%), but in terms of structure complexity reef habitats, which are found on Natura 2000 Annex I Habitat 1170 (Reefs), only occupied 6.18% of seafloor. Despite their limited extent, these reef structures function as ecological hotspots that support multiple threatened and protected species. A total of 84 species were recorded and assessed using the IUCN Mediterranean Red List, Turkish national protection regulations, and Natura 2000 species annexes. Only five species were listed under Natura 2000: Alosa fallax (Annex II & V), Dicentrarchus labrax (Annex V), and three Annex IV strictly protected megafauna; Monachus monachus, Caretta caretta, and Chelonia mydas. No bird species recorded in the area were listed under Birds Directive Annex I. Several elasmobranch species typical of the ray field, including Gymnura altavela, Rostroraja alba, and Rhinobatos rhinobatos, were categorized as threatened by the IUCN and protected nationally, despite not being included within EU annexes. In general, the results indicate that the conservation value of the Samandaag ray field is great as the small and fragmented reef microhabitats harbor a disproportionately large number of sensitive taxa in a sand-dominated environment. The research will furnish the necessary scientific data to inform future marine spatial planning and conservation policies of the area that take the form of Natura 2000.