17.09.2024 14:00
The Science Board, which was established to examine the pollution in Izmir Bay, held its first meeting to create an urgent action plan.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting held at the Izmir Economic Congress building, Deputy Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Fatma Varank stated that the fish deaths in Izmir Bay pose a great threat not only to the regional ecosystem but also to the biological diversity of the country, the fishing industry, and coastal communities in terms of sustainability.
Varank, who stated that they gathered to take action against this threat, said, "Fish deaths remind us once again of the multidimensional and complex nature of environmental problems. This incident indicates a crisis that brings together many different sectors, from climate change to water quality, from urban pollution to the deterioration of the marine ecosystem. Therefore, it is of great importance that the solutions developed for this problem are based on scientific foundations and implemented with the participation of all stakeholders."
"WE WILL DETERMINE THE STEPS TO PREVENT SUCH INCIDENTS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN"
Varank reminded that Minister Murat Kurum instructed to prepare a roadmap regarding the urgent actions that need to be taken, and stated that within this scope, the decision to establish the Izmir Bay Science Board together with scientists and officials was made. Varank stated that the urgent action plan regarding Izmir Bay will be announced by the end of September and said the following:
"Today, we have gathered here to form working groups with the members of the Science Board in accordance with the decision taken at the first meeting of the Izmir Bay Coordination Board and to start working on the action plan urgently. In the meetings we will hold today and tomorrow, we will shape our urgent action plan based on scientific data, protect the ecosystem of Izmir Bay, and determine the steps to prevent such incidents from happening again. Our Ministry is fully committed to protecting the environment, and we believe that the results that will come out of here will play an important role in leaving a more livable environment for future generations."Varank stated that the Science Board, consisting of 35 academics, will continue its work under three main headings: "Climate Change and Nature-Based Solutions Working Group," "Wastewater Infrastructure and Rivers Working Group," and "Evaluation of Marine Areas and Improvement of the Ecosystem Working Group."