Istanbul University's Faculty of Aquatic Sciences

Allegations over fishing boats carrying out activities close to the shore and in shallow areas in the Bosphorus, especially off the coast of Sarıyer, violating the 24-meter depth limit and harming fish populations have sparked controversy.

Several spots on the Marmara Sea have been fully covered with red moss following a fierce storm that has wreaked havoc in Turkey's northwestern region.

Municipal teams worked hard to clean up the red moss that hit with giant waves on the shores of Kadıköy and Maltepe, two districts on Istanbul's Anatolian side.

The population of bluefish has been declining at an alarming rate in Turkey's Marmara Sea mainly due to pollution and overfishing, experts have said.

There is an alarming decrease in the stock of bluefish in the inland seas due to overfishing and pollution, said Saadet Karakulak, an academic from Istanbul University's Faculty of Aquatic Sciences.

The red algae washed up on shores of Istanbul's Anatolian side is a sign of increasing pollution in the Marmara Sea, an expert has said.
"Algae piling up due to decreased oxygen levels with the effect of the dumped waste reveals the alarming pollution in the Marmara Sea," said Meriç Albay, Dean of Istanbul University's Faculty of Aquatic Sciences.