Turkey collects over 4,555 cubic meters of mucilage from sea in last 12 days

A drone photo shows an aerial view of mucilage (sea snot) at the Pendik shore in Istanbul, Turkey on June 20, 2021 [İslam Yakut/Anadolu Agency]

Over the past 12 days, Turkish sea cleaning teams have collected a total of 4,555 cubic meters (160,858 cubic feet) of mucilage from the Sea of Marmara, said the country’s environment and urbanisation minister on Sunday, reports Anadolu Agency.

Updating on the efforts to clear out the mucilage, also known as sea snot, Murat Kurum said on Twitter that the operations were conducted at 278 locations.

Noting that the collected mucilage has been sent for disposal, Kurum said Yalova, Kocaeli, Bursa, Tekirdag, Istanbul, Balikesir, and Canakkale are among the provinces where most of the mucilage has been cleared.

Mucilage is an overgrowth of microscopic algae called phytoplankton caused by rising seawater temperatures due to global warming, stagnant water, and pollution.

On June 6, Turkish authorities announced a 22-point action plan to clear it out.

READ: Turkey launches ‘sea snot’ clean-up to save Sea of Marmara

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