No trace of mucilage at intersection of Black Sea, Bosphorus

Almost a month after authorities launched a massive cleaning campaign, no trace of marine mucilage was detected in the north of the Bosphorus Strait, which is the entry point of the upper current coming from the Black Sea.

Caused by the over-reproduction of certain types of microalgae, marine mucilage has produced unprecedented scenes in the Marmara Sea and severely hurt the fishing industry in the Turkish waters.

Turkish authorities on June 8 launched its "largest and most comprehensive sea cleaning mobilization" ever to save the sea from the plague of excessive algae. These comprehensive efforts seem to finally have paid off.

Daily Milliyet reporter Gökhan Karakaş went diving with members of the "Respect to the Deep" diving group to follow the latest state in the northern point of the Bosporus and to observe the underwater life that officials say is endangered due to the slimy layers.

The effect of marine mucilage was not observed in the dives between 0-10 meters, which were performed under the foot of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge on the European side of Istanbul.

In diving, the prevalence of creatures reflecting the nutritious feature of the Black Sea such as sky gazer, sunfish, sea snail, crabs and rockfish drew attention.

Similar results were also seen in diving on the shores of Fil (Elephant) Cape on the Asian side of the Bosphorus.

While traces of horse mackerel were also noticed in the area where bream fish also nest, it was observed that marine mucilage did not accumulate and its density decreased.

Necla Köseoğlu, the only woman fisher who has been fishing in the Bosporus for 50 years, stated that the Black Sea current is strong enough to create a swirling eddy in the...