A thick, slimy layer of so-called “sea snot” is spreading around Turkish holiday resorts popular with Brits while posing a threat to marine life and the fishing industry.
The unsightly substance, made up of sewage and other organic matter, has been congealing in the Marmara Sea around the likes of Erdek and Istanbul.
Scientists say climate change and pollution have contributed to the proliferation of the organic matter, also known as marine mucilage.
It contains a wide variety of microorganisms and can flourish when nutrient-rich sewage flows into seawater.
Drone footage shot over the Sea of Marmara shows ferries and cargo ships criss-crossing harbours and seawater blanketed with the viscous, greyish substance that can suffocate marine life.
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(Image: REUTERS)
“The Sea of Marmara’s plight is the outcome of what humans did. This is the outcome of household waste and pollution,” said filmmaker Tahsin Ceylan, who is making a documentary about the impact of the sea snot.
“The only thing to do is not to throw your waste into the sea,” he said. “I think nature does not deserve this.”
Experts linked the increasing amount of sea snot to high sea temperatures stemming from climate change as well as the discharge of untreated sewage into the sea.
(Image: REUTERS)
Environment Minister Murat Kurum said the sea snot was a serious problem and a 300-strong team was assessing dozens of points in the Sea of Marmara as well as water treatment facilities and sources of pollution.
He said the government would bring together all concerned parties on Friday and announce an action plan to protect the sea on Sunday.
Hydrobiologist Levent Artuz warned that such ecological problems will continue unless there is a change in people’s behaviour.
“As long as we carry on with those practices, it does not make much sense to expect different results.
“We will continue to encounter disasters like this,” he said, pointing to the increased discharge of sewage into the waters in recent years.
Turkey is currently among dozens of countries on the UK’s ‘red list’, which also includes India, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
It is hoped some of the 43 destinations propping up the traffic light system will be upgraded to ‘amber’, meaning returning Brits can self-isolate at home instead of quarantining at a hotel.