Large patches of marine mucus—commonly known as “sea snot”—have recently reappeared along the coastline of Beykoz, Istanbul, Turkey. Experts warn this is a precursor to the collapse of the Marmara Sea ecosystem. The slime is caused by untreated sewage and industrial wastewater discharges, leading to reduced oxygen levels in seawater and crippling fisheries. Fishermen have been unable to go out to sea for months. Despite Turkey’s 2021 Marmara Sea Action Plan, which mandates upgrading wastewater treatment plants by 2025, direct sewage discharges persist in Istanbul and other areas, with remediation efforts lagging behind schedule.
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