Ortahisar Municipality, in collaboration with Yomra Municipality and experts from Karadeniz Technical University’s (KTU) Faculty of Marine Sciences, has organized an important environmental awareness meeting aimed at preventing pollution caused by fishing nets, household packaging waste, and waste oils threatening the Black Sea ecosystem. This partnership seeks to develop concrete solutions to reduce pollution and protect marine life in the region.

The meeting was hosted by the Yomra Fishermen Cooperative and attended by key representatives, including Mustafa Özer İskender, Deputy Mayor of Ortahisar Municipality; Ezgi Kazan, Director of Climate Change and Zero Waste; Hayrettin Erkan, Director of Cleaning Services; Numan Fazıl Bıyıklıoğlu, Director of Public Works for Yomra Municipality; Ahmet Serkan Yallı, Director of Climate Change and Zero Waste for Yomra Municipality; and KTÜ Marine Sciences Faculty members Prof. Dr. Coşkun Erüz, Prof. Dr. Fatma Telli Karakoç, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rafet Çağrı Öztürk, along with engineers from Ortahisar’s Climate Change and Zero Waste Directorate.

During the meeting, Prof. Dr. Coşkun Erüz delivered an extensive presentation on the protection of the Black Sea ecosystem, focusing on marine debris—especially abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing nets (ghost nets). Participants were also informed about the BlackNETs Project, a cross-national initiative involving Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia that aims to detect and remove ghost nets and raise public awareness about this silent but severe pollution threat in the Black Sea.

Ortahisar Municipality’s Climate Change and Zero Waste Directorate provided valuable information on household packaging waste, waste oils, and recycling practices, emphasizing sustainable waste management. Prof. Dr. Fatma Telli Karakoç discussed the types of waste threatening marine ecosystems and offered recommendations for sustainable waste management solutions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, feedback, questions, and suggestions were gathered from fishermen and local residents to encourage community participation and awareness. To support these efforts, Ortahisar Municipality distributed collection bins for plastic bottles, metals, blue caps, and used batteries to the cooperative and participants. Awareness campaigns on recycling fishing nets and separate collection of waste oils were launched alongside educational activities to promote these sustainable practices.

This collaborative effort between Ortahisar Municipality and the BlackNETs Project—combined with academic expertise and local community involvement—has established a meaningful and sustainable approach to reducing pollution and protecting the Black Sea’s marine ecosystem. It serves as a vital model for safeguarding both the region’s environment and its coastal economy for future generations.

Local media reports regarding the meeting are available through the links below:

Trabzon Ortahisar Municipality

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Karadeniz

Karadeniz'de Son Nokta

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