The mucilage nightmare returns to the Sea of Marmara: Danger on the shores of Beykoz and Kadıköy

The nightmare of mucilage (sea snot), which turned into a major environmental disaster in the Sea of Marmara in previous years, has returned. It has been observed that the mucilage has intensified on the coast of Beykoz, which serves as the gateway to the Bosphorus opening into the Black Sea, particularly in areas where fishing shelters are located. Local residents stated that this pollution has also been increasing on the surface of the sea for the past few days.

FISHERMEN CANNOT CAST NETS, BOATS ARE BEING DAMAGED

Zeki Demirtaş, President of the Beykoz Fisheries Cooperative, said that fishermen are experiencing serious difficulties due to the mucilage. "We have been affected by the mucilage for two and a half months. We cast our nets in the morning and pull them up half an hour later. Our nets are being torn apart," said Demirtaş, noting that all fishermen in the Bosphorus are affected by this situation.

Demirtaş pointed out that this is the first time mucilage has been seen in coastal areas this year, stating, "Until this year, it was only in the channel, now it has reached the shores. It is being dragged here by the currents from the Golden Horn. Bottom trawling cannot be done. We reported the situation to the authorities 2 months ago," he said.

"IS FISH WITH MUCILAGE HARMFUL TO HEALTH?"

Esat Demirkaya, a boat owner at the shelter, also drew attention to the density of the mucilage on the coast, saying, "It wasn't this bad a month ago. Now it sticks to the nets, it doesn't come off, and it smells. There is a foul odor; like petroleum," he expressed.

Demirkaya stated that the mucilage also affects the quality of the fish:

"Last year, no one bought the horse mackerel because they smelled. Do fish smell? Now it is red mullet season, but even if we catch them, we cannot sell them because of this pollution. We had predicted that the mucilage would increase. This situation was inevitable with the growth of yellow bottom weeds. If waste stations are not inspected, this situation will get even worse. We will reach a point where it will be impossible to swim in the Bosphorus."

"BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT HAS BECOME MANDATORY"

Local resident İbrahim Etemtiz emphasized that the mucilage threatens life in the sea and that biological treatment has now become mandatory. "The sea is visibly polluted. Living creatures are being harmed. A solution must be produced urgently," he said.

ALSO SEEN IN KADIKÖY

On the other hand, pollution similar to mucilage was also observed along the coastline at Moda Beach in Kadıköy. Citizens walking on the beach expressed their discomfort due to the foul odor and the unsightly appearance.