Pollution and fish deaths in the Gulf of Izmir are on Turkey’s agenda. There is also an authority dispute between the Metropolitan Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization regarding finding a solution to pollution. The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization announced a 14-item action plan against pollution in Izmir Bay. While the most important measure is to ensure that the treatment facilities operate at full efficiency, it is stated that the treatment that will support the natural flow system of the gulf will increase the oxygen level in the sea within a year. While the ministry was working within the scope of measures in Izmir, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay made a statement regarding the pollution in the gulf, “It will be a hassle, but the state should intervene in the Izmir Bay.” The solution to the pollution problem in the sea in Izmir is included in many scientific teams formed to date. We asked Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar, Member of the Environment Biodiversity and Climate Change Working Group of the Turkish Academy of Sciences.
* Who has the main responsibility for cleaning the coasts and bays?
All over the world, such studies are carried out by municipalities and the ministry supervises them. Three weeks ago, a fine equivalent to approximately 5 billion Turkish Liras was imposed in London because city water was released into the river without treatment. This is a very harsh punishment. In our Izmir, the municipality was fined 1 million 800 thousand TL for something within the same scope. There is a huge difference. Mayor Cemil Tugay said before, “I do not have the authority to impose fines.” Your job is to clean and provide clean water to the environment. He has to go to the factories every day and take samples. Employ 30-40 environmental engineers, regularly take and inspect factory exits. Report it to the ministry, and if they do not do what is necessary, the public can complain.
* How do you evaluate the statement of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Cemil Tugay?
His explanation now is, “Don’t worry, let them come and clean it.” Don’t bother, do the cleaning first. We have been warning since 2007 that the Gulf will get worse. I wrote a letter to Tunç Soyer in 2020; I warned about both drought and pollution. I suggested a workshop, but nothing was done. As it was not done, untreated water continued to be pumped into the sea. Then statements were made that attributed the pollution to bilge water. This doesn’t happen. Are you this far from the bay?”
* What happened next?
After Ahmet Priştina’s death, everything went back to the way it was before. We couldn’t even get an appointment from subsequent presidents. Cemil Tugay and those around him do not know the history of Izmir. “Pollution that started in 1965,” the president says. Pollution began to be detected in the Gulf of Izmir in the 1930s. We are talking about the year 1931, and they could not do anything because the measures taken at that time corresponded to the 14-year municipal budget. In 1955, for the first time, plankton explosion and fish deaths occurred. Saying that it starts in 1965 is a very unfortunate statement.
* What is the solution?
We have been working in this bay since 1975. Now management is extremely far from science. We warned before the election that there is a great responsibility. The first is pollution in the Gulf. The other is water scarcity. None of them are related to these in any way. What does this have to do with the ministry? You will. The Ministry gives you favors and does not impose fines. “If it were me, I would give fines every day.”
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