Turkey launches 'sea snot' clean-up to save Sea of Marmara
The Peninsula
ISTANBUL: Turkey vowed to save the Sea of Marmara on Tuesday by launching a disaster management programme meant to clean up a slimy "sea snot" outbreak threatening marine life and the fishing industry.
The thick layer of organic matter, known as marine mucilage, has spread through the sea south of Istanbul covering harbours, shorelines and swathes of the surface. Some has sunk below the waves, suffocating seabed life. Environment Minister Murat Kurum said 25 sea surface-cleaning and barrier-laying boats, as well as 18 other vessels, were working to prevent the spread of the mucilage. Illegal fishing and "ghost" nets would be halted and Turkey would declare Marmara a protected area by the end of 2021, he said.More Related News