Scary statement for the Sea of Marmara: It has spread within 7 weeks.

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Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı, Dean of the Maritime Faculty of Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, who conducted diving and examinations in the Erdek Bay of Balıkesir, pointed out that there is a possibility of mucilage surfacing from spring onwards with the warming of the waters.

"MUCILAGE FORMATION WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS THE POLLUTION LOAD OF THE SEA IS NOT REDUCED"

Stating that the mucilage, which has started to settle on the seabed, threatens many species and has begun to make it impossible for fishermen to pull their nets, Sarı said, "Mucilage is formed by the excessive proliferation of tiny plants called phytoplankton in the illuminated area of the sea, triggered by pollution, stagnation of sea conditions, and excessive increases in water temperature due to climate change. It is possible to mention dozens of factors and effects that contribute to the conditions for mucilage formation. However, among these, only marine pollution, meaning the nitrogen and phosphorus that are unconsciously dumped into the sea, is controllable. In other words, as long as the pollution load of the sea is not reduced, the presence of uncontrolled factors causing mucilage will continue, and mucilage formation will also continue," he warned.

"UNFORTUNATELY, THE POLLUTION LOAD OF MARMARA HAS NOT BEEN REDUCED"

Providing information about the causes of mucilage formation, Sarı said: "The mucilage that reappeared in Erdek Bay on October 23, 2024, spread throughout the Sea of Marmara in about 7 weeks, reaching the surroundings of the Marmara Islands and the Tekirdağ coasts on November 6, the Princes' Islands of Istanbul on November 13, and the Izmit Bay on December 5. In fact, on December 19, dense mucilage was observed off Kumkale at the exit of the Çanakkale Strait, that is, along the northern Aegean coasts. Although it occasionally surfaces, the mucilage, which spreads like a spider web at depths of 3-25 meters under current conditions, has a very high probability of surfacing from spring onwards with the warming of the waters. The mucilage that has started to settle on the seabed has begun to threaten living groups such as pines, seagrasses, sponges, and corals, as well as making it impossible for fishermen to pull their nets. The Sea of Marmara is under the grip of pollutants reaching from the approximately 25 million population living around it, the intense industry clustered to serve half of the country, and the widespread sources carried by more than two hundred rivers.

"DOMESTIC WASTES CAN BE TREATED AT A RATE OF 51.7"

In the Sea of Marmara, there is an upper current flowing from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean through the straits in the north-south direction, and a lower current flowing from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea in the south-north direction. This original current system has led to the deep discharge of domestic, industrial, agricultural, and other wastes into the sea based on some scientific evaluations lacking ecosystem knowledge for years. The expectation is that the wastes discharged deeply will be carried away by the Mediterranean-origin current and eventually delivered to the deep waters of the Black Sea. This misconception is still effective today, as the untreated waters of the Ergene River have also started to be discharged into the Sea of Marmara through tunnels bypassing the basin. In 2021, the Marmara Sea Action Plan (MDEP), consisting of 22 actions, was created with high-participation workshops and scientific contributions, a Mucilage Science and Technical Board was established, the Marmara Sea was declared a special environmental protection area, and a strategic plan was prepared to reach a mucilage-free Marmara, yet unfortunately, the pollution load of Marmara has not been reduced. For example, domestic wastes subjected to advanced biological treatment at a rate of 51% in 2021 can only be treated at a rate of 51.7% with a mere 0.7% progress in 2024."

"IT IS OUR DUTY TO TAKE MEASURES AGAINST MUCILAGE"

Reminding that the Science Board met again on December 25, Mustafa Sarı emphasized the importance of urgently developing an insurance system for sectors that will be affected by mucilage. Sarı said, "The current situation has been evaluated, and the measures to be taken have been reiterated by scientists. In other words, science has guided and said what it needs to say. Now, it is up to the implementers. From central government to local governments, from the private sector to non-governmental organizations, and individually to each citizen, it is our responsibility and duty to take measures together against mucilage. As long as cooperation is not established, we have no chance of escaping this disaster. To reduce the pollution load of the Sea of Marmara, the waste discharge of industrial establishments should be reorganized according to the flow of rivers, industrial wastes that cause rivers to turn into poison channels should be prevented through supervision, non-functioning waste treatment plants should be made operational, the dumping of sludge into the sea should be prevented, campaigns should be launched at the national level to enable citizens to help the sea, Marmara Sea fishing should be reorganized considering mucilage, and an urgent insurance system should be developed for sectors that will be harmed by mucilage," he said.