Istanbul municipalities clean up Marmara Sea amid rising water temperatures

On Marmara Sea Day, the Beylikdüzü and Bakırköy municipalities in Istanbul organized simultaneous seabed and shoreline clean‑up operations. In Beylikdüzü, officials highlighted the theme “Sea Water Temperature” and warned that the average temperature of 21 °C is driving species shifts, fish migrations, lower oxygen levels and broader climate‑change impacts. Around 50 bags of waste were collected and students received briefings from Dr. Yeliz İşcan Alp of Istanbul University on marine ecology.

In Bakırköy, Mayor Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu led volunteers and divers from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Underwater Search and Rescue unit in removing debris from the Yeşilköy Çiroz shore. The event reinforced the message “Marmara is ours” and linked waste‑management actions to scientific data on carbon footprints and ocean‑temperature mitigation. Both districts emphasized sustained environmental education and the integration of climate‑action plans into local policy.

These activities aim to raise public awareness, improve water quality and support the long‑term health of the Marmara Sea ecosystem.