The Bosphorus is experiencing a resurgence of mucilage, with foam and mucilage appearing on the beaches of Avcılar. Istanbul Environmental Council Secretary General Zafer Murat Çetintaş compared the situation to “hibernating bears in winter,” warning that mucilage is temporarily inactive but still present.
Mucilage, which peaked in the Marmara Sea in 2020, continues to be a major issue. Efforts to address it are ongoing, as experts blame sea pollution and warming temperatures. Mucilage harms marine life, leading to fish deaths, and poses health risks to humans, especially children, causing increased cases of vomiting and diarrhea.
Aerial images show foam lingering in the Bosphorus after ships pass, covering extensive areas. The reappearance of mucilage highlights the persistent environmental challenges facing Istanbul’s waters.
Ahmet Faruk Sarıkoç