Attention to the pollution problem in the Gulf of İzmir: Prof. Dr. Tolga Dinçer issued a warning

Ege University Faculty of Fisheries Vice Dean Prof. Dr. Tolga Dinçer drew attention to the pollution in the Gulf of İzmir, stating, "It is understood from both satellite imagery and our observation and research results that, due to insufficient infrastructure, water that has not been adequately treated has been discharged from the Çiğli Treatment Plant for over 10 years."

The 34th meeting of the İzmir Fisheries Working Group, organized by the İzmir Chamber of Commerce, was held under the chairmanship of İZTO Board Member Mehmet Şahin Çakan. At the meeting, Prof. Dr. Tolga Dinçer gave a comprehensive presentation on the fish deaths and pollution occurring in the Gulf of İzmir.

Dinçer stated that because water circulation in the inner gulf is limited, the waters in this region warm up more than those in the outer gulf during hot seasons, emphasizing that this situation makes the ecosystem fragile. He also expressed that population growth and infrastructure inadequacies have deepened the problem. "With the commissioning of the Great Canal Project in 2000, the gulf ecosystem entered a significant recovery process. However, over time, population growth has left the existing infrastructure inadequate," said Dinçer, noting that discharges are being carried out from the Çiğli Treatment Plant without sufficient treatment.

Dinçer reported that excessive algae growth has been observed in the gulf and that no bacterial or parasitic agents that would cause disease were detected in microbiological studies conducted on fish samples.

İZTO Board Member Mehmet Şahin Çakan stated that the Gulf of İzmir has been closed to fishing since 1979 and that mass fish deaths have negatively affected the fishing sector. "Fishing activities in İzmir are generally based on open-sea fishing; therefore, the origin of the caught fish is critical in terms of consumer health. According to legal regulations, the sale of fish of unknown origin is strictly prohibited," he said.

Representatives of relevant institutions and organizations in the sector attended the meeting to exchange information about pollution and fishing issues. Dinçer called for a joint effort to protect the health of the Gulf of İzmir.

News Source: AA