Bozbey Warns of 'Mucilage' in the Sea of ​​Marmara

Marmara Municipalities Union (MBB) and Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey drew attention to the threat of mucilage that has started to appear again in the Marmara Sea. Mayor Bozbey, who conducted examinations in Gemlik Gulf, underlined that a serious strategy should be developed regarding waste management.

After the re-emergence of the mucilage threat in the Marmara Sea, MBB and Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, who conducted examinations in the Gulf of Gemlik, received information from the authorities about the latest situation. Mudanya Mayor Deniz Dalgıç, Metropolitan Municipality bureaucrats and affiliate managers got on a boat and set out to the Sea of ​​Marmara, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey examined the mucilage formation on site.

“Urgent measures must be taken”

Stating that the ecological balance in the Marmara Sea has been seriously disrupted due to domestic and industrial waste, President Mustafa Bozbey reminded that all institutions must fulfill their responsibilities. Stating that they observed that mucilage has started to rise to the sea surface again as a result of the examinations they conducted in Gemlik Bay, President Bozbey said, “Scientists state that if urgent measures are not taken, almost all life in the Marmara Sea will be eliminated within 25 years. Therefore, urgent measures must be taken. This serious threat endangers not only the ecosystem of our sea, but also our regional economy and human health. In order to prevent this problem, an effective and comprehensive approach must be taken in combating marine pollution and a strong strategy must be developed in terms of waste management.”

“We continue to work seriously”

Reminding that the mucilage crisis in the Marmara Sea and the environmental problems in the region should be taken seriously, Mayor Mustafa Bozbey stated that the Marmara Municipalities Union immediately took action to take rapid and effective steps against this crisis. Stating that they initiated solution-oriented studies with all analyzes and reports, Mayor Bozbey said, “We also addressed the mucilage issue in terms of public health and economic sustainability. We initiated a strong cooperation process with scientists, municipal authorities, ministries and relevant stakeholders. The Marmara Sea Action Plan was announced as 2021 articles in June 22, and this action plan covers almost all headings related to the Marmara Sea. As the Marmara Municipalities Union, we continue to work with the same seriousness without losing this determined spirit in any way.”

“It is not possible for municipalities to carry the financial burden alone”

Reminding that the Marmara Sea Science and Technical Board, which continues its work within the MBB, clearly conveys what needs to be done to public administrations and other stakeholders in the light of science, President Bozbey stated that 22 of the 19 articles have been completed thanks to effective cooperation. Stating that sufficient progress has not yet been made in 3 actions, President Bozbey said, “The mucilage that has surfaced again today tells us directly that we do not have time for this and that we must take action without wasting any time. The most important of these actions are to ensure that urban wastewater is completely treated with advanced biological methods, to prevent agricultural pollution and to control industrial wastewater. It is not possible for municipalities and their affiliated water and sewage administrations to carry this financial burden alone. It is important that central financing channels are also used functionally for this important purpose.”

“All parties must act with a sense of common responsibility”

President Bozbey, who stated that interest-free or very low-interest financing options should be provided directly through İlbank and public banks to be used for this purpose, expressed that the central government should pave the way for local governments in terms of accessing external resources at affordable costs and facilitate their access to finance. President Bozbey, who also requested that municipalities be provided with convenience in allocating suitable places for advanced biological treatment facilities in cities, said, “Municipalities also need to rapidly build advanced biological wastewater treatment facilities in the places to be allocated with this financing to be provided and also operate their existing facilities effectively. We feel obliged to express these facts and concrete solutions for the present and future of the Marmara Sea, which should not be the subject of any political conflict. All parties acting with a sense of common responsibility is what we need the most while fulfilling the requirements of this action plan.”

“The Ministry should see municipalities as effective stakeholders”

Stating that steps taken with a spirit of responsibility and cooperation can ensure ecosystem health in the long term, President Bozbey said, “Let’s not forget that the Marmara Sea is facing a pollution burden that has been going on for many years. The central government, municipalities, private sector, academia and civil society should join hands. The central government should facilitate land allocation and financing. Local governments should establish advanced biological treatment facilities as soon as possible and cut the urban pollution burden. The private sector should treat their industrial wastewater in accordance with the relevant standards, taking into account the sensitive structure of the Marmara Sea. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change should also tighten the current inspection program and see municipalities as effective stakeholders in inspection operations.”