Sea of Marmara

A field study conducted to examine the marine mucilage, which invaded the Marmara Sea a few months ago, has revealed that though the sea's surface is now clean thanks to the ongoing efforts, the threat is not over yet.

The study has once again brought to the horizon the need to address the problem of pollution that has become a grave environmental concern.

Warning signs directing residents to evacuation areas in case of a tsunami have been installed by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality as concerns over a potential disaster of a large earthquake that is expected to hit Turkey continue to mount.

A world-famous motocross rider has crossed the European side of the Istanbul strait reaching the Asian side in 1.5 minutes by riding a specially designed bike on the Marmara Sea for an ice-cream advertisement.

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"It was an unusual experience. Thanks to all who gave me this opportunity," legendary bike-rider Robbie Maddison said at a press conference on Aug. 25.

Following a comprehensive transformation works and construction of new facilities, Democracy and Freedom Island, one of the Princes' Islands located in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul, open its doors for public visitors.

The presence of marine mucilage in the depths of the Marmara Sea continues to be a threat even though it was cleared from the surface of the sea a few weeks ago, according to the latest exploration studies carried out on the surface and bottom of the sea by an expert.

Experts are concerned about the consumption of fish coming from the Marmara Sea, which has been covered with a thick, foamy layer of marine mucilage since April, daily Milliyet has reported.

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When asked if people could freely eat fish coming from the Marmara Sea, most experts and scientists hesitated to give a direct answer with a "Yes."

Turkey's resort towns are experiencing an influx of vacationers amid the Eid al-Adha holiday, which was extended to nine days, including weekends, officials have said.

Traffic jams are still ubiquitous on major routes mostly in the Aegean provinces, while scores of people thronged to popular summer destinations to spend the holiday to enjoy sunny weather, sea and beach.

The marine mucilage density has decreased in the southern shores of the Marmara Sea thanks to the efforts in line with a massive cleanup campaign launched by the authorities to eliminate the problem.

With efforts to eliminate the problem of mucilage in the Turkish seas finally paying off, thousands of people flocked to beaches to enjoy the sunny weather on the first Sunday without nationwide lockdown.

Marine mucilage, which has been plaguing the Marmara Sea over the recent months, has also been observed in the northern Aegean Sea, especially around Gökçeada and Bozcaada, two islands off the shores of the northwestern province of Çanakkale.