Bottom dredging works in the Gulf of İzmir revitalize marine life

The comprehensive bottom dredging works carried out jointly by İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi and İZSU have provided a visible revitalization in the ecosystem of the Gulf of İzmir. As a result of years of intensive work, 1 million 350 thousand tons of bottom sludge were removed from the seabed, and upon the project's completion, this figure is targeted to reach 4,5 million tons. One of the most concrete results of this massive environmental project was the significant increase in water quality and the clearing of the sea in the region. As part of the works, cleaning the alluvial layer that had accumulated especially on the northern axis of the Gulf significantly increased the sea's circulation rate. This situation paved the way for the strengthening of the marine ecosystem in the region by increasing the sea's capacity to naturally renew itself.

Local fishermen who have been fishing in the region for years became the closest witnesses to experience this environmental transformation in the Gulf. Members of the Mavişehir Şemikler Su Ürünleri Kooperatifi state that they observed a serious increase in the fish population following the bottom cleaning activities and that diversity is increasing day by day. It is observed that there has been a significant increase in the numbers of species such as grey mullet, red mullet, and mullet, and that the coasts are filled with fish in the early hours of the morning. This positive picture shows that the images of dead fish, which were frequently seen in the region in past years and negatively affected the environment, are gradually being replaced by vitality. Fishermen state that as the seabed deepened, the water cleared, and the bad odors that had disturbed the region for years completely disappeared.

One of the most striking and symbolic results of the project was the reappearance of the species known as the 'jumbo shrimp' in the regional waters after approximately 25-30 years. Local fishermen, who thought it had completely disappeared years ago, state that nowadays these valuable and delicious shrimps are getting caught in their nets, and that this is a great source of surprise for them. This situation not only increases marine biodiversity but also creates a new source of income for local fishermen. The return of the jumbo shrimp is considered the clearest proof that the Gulf of İzmir is entering an important turning point towards a healthy ecosystem. Fishermen express their great happiness regarding this positive development and state that the sea regaining its former vitality is promising.

İzmir Büyükşehir Belediye Başkanı Dr. Cemil Tugay and İZSU Genel Müdürü Gürkan Erdoğan conducted inspections at the Mavişehir Balıkçı Barınağı, announcing that they are closely monitoring the process and that the works will continue uninterrupted until the goal is reached. Mayor Tugay pointed out that the daily observations of the fishermen at sea are extremely valuable in confirming the success of this massive project. The fact that the project is carried out entirely using the own resources of İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi and İZSU, without receiving external financial support, also stands out as a remarkable detail. It is predicted that when the targeted 4,5 million tons of bottom sludge cleaning is completed, the Gulf of İzmir will achieve a much cleaner and more livable marine environment. Authorities emphasize that the İZSU teams continue to work with great dedication in line with the vision of a pristine Gulf.

While such positive developments are taking place across the Gulf, fishermen fishing in the region draw attention to a neighboring ecosystem, the serious environmental problems in the Gediz Deltası. It is stated that intense pollution and garbage accumulation occur in the areas where the Gediz Nehri flows into the sea, and that the odor has reached unbearable levels in some spots. The complete disappearance of seagrasses such as eelgrass, which were once commonly found in the region and indicate the health of the sea, reveals the extent of the danger in the delta ecosystem. Fishermen and locals emphasize that authorities need to prepare urgent action plans for this part of the Gediz Nehri, which has virtually turned into a garbage dump. In order to leave a livable and clean natural heritage to future generations, it is expected that the environmental awareness started in the Gulf will be maintained with the same determination for the Gediz Deltası.