Marine mucilage

Marine mucilage, first detected in the Marmara Sea about three years ago and leading to extensive measures from authorities, has recently resurfaced, an expert has warned.

Experts have expressed optimism that mucilage, a significant threat to the Marmara region's marine ecosystem, is not expected to occur this summer.

Scientists and NGO representatives gathered in Istanbul on June 11 for June 8, Marmara Sea Day, to discuss the current state of threats to the Marmara Sea's marine biology.

For the first time, the dangers associated with marine mucilage have been investigated by the unmanned underwater glider "Sea Explorer" in the Marmara Sea, and a comprehensive mucilage mapping that offers insightful information will be produced with the help of the findings.

All conditions are set for the formation of new mucilage in the Marmara Sea considering the latest photos, according to Mustafa Sarı, a member of the Mucilage Science Board and a professor from Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University.

"When you look at Bandırma Bay, for example, you see three different colors, brown, turquoise and dark green."

Freeing the Marmara Sea of mucilage does not mean the sea has been saved, as there is still more that needs to be done, the head of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBITAK) has said.

The use of fertilizers and pesticides in the fields surrounding the sea should be stopped, and fishing in the Marmara Sea must be banned, according to Hasan Mandal.

The danger of mucilage, which invaded and heavily affected the marine ecosystem of the Marmara Sea last summer, may return, as blocks of a new form of sea snot have started to appear off the coasts of Istanbul, a Turkish expert has warned.

As efforts to prevent marine mucilage, a thick layer of glop that invaded the Marmara Sea last year, continue with the participation of authorized institutions, a detailed report prepared by a committee set up in the Turkish parliament was presented to Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop.

Marine mucilage, a thick layer of glop that invaded Turkey's Marmara Sea last year, has reappeared off Istanbul's Maltepe coasts, while experts noted that the natural phenomenon may affect the region this summer again.

Necessary actions will be taken, including the implementation of the Strategic Plan, and those work will be completed in three years with a vision to end the mucilage problem in the Marmara Sea, Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum has said.

The presence of marine mucilage in the depths of the Marmara Sea has not been in an alarming situation but continues to be a threat, according to the latest exploration studies carried out on the surface and bottom of the sea by an expert.