Antalya faces marine pollution and laboratory shortages

Antalya is facing increasing marine pollution that poses threats to the environment and public health, occurring as the city prepares to host the COP31 climate summit. Experts note that while officials attribute the pollution to waste carried by East Mediterranean currents, land-based pollution sources must be addressed to prevent the issue.

Concerns have been raised regarding the lack of a specialized marine laboratory in the region. The TÜBİTAK-accredited Berna Dedeman Laboratory, which operated under the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, was closed in 2014, with services transferred to ASAT. Although the municipality’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan identifies the establishment of a specialized laboratory for marine and inland water samples as a goal, the project has not yet been implemented. Municipal officials stated that utilizing and expanding the capacity of the existing ASAT laboratory is considered a more efficient use of public resources.