Xinhua
14 Jun 2021, 21:35 GMT+10
"I want to reassure the public that we will make the Marmara clean again," the minister said.
The mucilage has also infiltrated some parts of the Aegean Sea and the Black Sea.
Scientists blame pollution, such as untreated urban and industrial waste dump, and global warming, as the main reasons for this marine problem of unprecedented proportions, which has also put fishing in the sea to a standstill.
Fishing is the main income for thousands in the Marmara basin. Fish sales have plummeted in Istanbul and neighboring cities as people fear food poisoning, local media reported.
There is uncertainty on how long the cleanup will have to last. Authorities say it may take at least one year, while scientists argue that it will take several years.
The sea snot also threatens domestic tourism as the Marmara Sea region is a hotspot for local holidaymakers. Tour operators are reporting cancellations in bookings for the summer season.
The small coastal town of Erdek, located in Balikesir Province on the southern banks of Marmara, is known to be a popular spot for Turkish travellers, but this year the mood there is grim.
"First, it was the coronavirus pandemic, and now it is the sea snot. There are cancellations in hotels and rental of summer residences because of the problem," Esra Atac, a tour operator from the capital Ankara, told Xinhua.
"How can a hotel take reservations when the shore is filled with a bad-smelling gooey substance. People cannot bathe in these conditions," she said.
"In the past, we had mucilage surges but never this big, and this is a very disturbing phenomenon," Mustafa Sari, dean of Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University Marine Faculty, told Xinhua.
The oceanographer said the mucilage density seen on the sea's surface was just like the tip of the iceberg as the main danger is at the bottom of the sea.
He noted that the sea temperature in the Marmara Sea has warmed by 2.5 Celcius degrees since preindustrial times, causing phytoplankton responsible for the mucilage to grow.
"The iceberg is down there, and there is no visibility. It is like a prison, causing serious damage to the ecosystem," Sari said.
Divers have reported a heavy blanket of mucilage on the bottom, raising concerns about its effects on shellfish, corals, crustaceans, and fish.
Cleaning just the surface will not be enough, Sari warned, urging authorities to act for an urgent waste disposal management program to save the Marmara Sea and its ecosystem.
Get a daily dose of International Travel News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to International Travel News.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - Global stock indices closed with divergent performances on Tuesday, as investors weighed corporate earnings, central...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed firmly in positive territory to start the week Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
NEW DELHI, India: India has decided not to allow a United Nations (UN) investigator to join the investigation into the recent Air India...
BANGKOK, Thailand: This week, Thailand implemented land border restrictions, including a ban on tourists traveling to Cambodia, as...
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday lauded the decision of the Union cabinet to approve the construction...
New Delhi [India], July 1 (ANI): On the occasion of the approval of the new 'Khelo Bharat Niti 2025', Prime Minister Narendra Modi...
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 1 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the Government is...