Kocagöl lagoon faces ecological threat in Kuşadası

Environmental activists in the Kuşadası district of Aydın are calling for the protection of Kocagöl, the area's only coastal lagoon. Due to prolonged human pressure, the lagoon has significantly shrunk, evolving into a small lake.

During a press release in the Güzelçamlı neighborhood, Bahattin Sürücü, President of the Ecosystem Protection and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD), highlighted several critical issues including environmental pollution, destruction of reed beds, deteriorating water quality, loss of biodiversity, and aquatic life deaths. A major concern is the frequent blockage of the channel connecting the lagoon to the sea due to alluvial deposits. This blockage halts water circulation, lowers oxygen levels, and leads to foul odors and mosquito infestations that affect public health.

Sürücü emphasized that the lagoon serves vital ecological functions such as storing water, reducing flood risks, recharging groundwater, and regulating the climate. He stated, "Kocagöl is facing a serious threat that concerns not only a natural habitat but also the future of our region." Advocates are urging authorities to grant the lagoon