Bottom Cleaning in Izmir Bay

Eight divers from Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department Underwater Search and Rescue unit cleaned the bottom of Izmir Bay for a cleaner and healthier environment before the 8 June World Environment Day. Divers removed foreign objects such as glass and plastic bottles, shoes, scooters and fishing rods from the Gulf. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerStating that individuals are as responsible as institutions for the cleanliness of the Gulf, he said that it is a pity that the wastes that should be thrown away are collected from the sea.

Eight divers from the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department Underwater Search and Rescue unit dived on the shore of Cumhuriyet Square on the occasion of June 8, World Environment Day. Divers brought out materials such as plastic and glass bottles, shoes, fishing rods, as well as a scooter from the Gulf. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç SoyerCalling on the people of Izmir to keep the Gulf clean, he said, “It is up to us to ensure a healthy life not only for us, but also for our children and the creatures in the sea. We, as individuals, have a great responsibility as well as our institutions working to clean the bay. It is a pity that waste materials that need to be thrown into the trash and recycled have to be collected from the sea.”

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Brigade Department Underwater Search and Rescue Team Chief Erman Karademir also called on citizens to be more sensitive. Expressing that they routinely work on bottom cleaning in the Gulf, Erman Karademir said, “What we see surprises us. While people are spending time here, they shouldn't say, 'A box fell, what will happen' when their garbage falls into the sea. Thousands of people live here. If some of them drop their garbage, this is the scene that emerges. Since there is a gulf, the garbage does not go elsewhere, it stays. They also pollute our sea. It is in our hands to keep the sea clean,” he said.

“Where did they find the 19 liter plastic bottle and they threw it away”

The garbage coming out of the sea also drew the reaction of the citizens. Elif Beyazıt, whose workplace is in Cumhuriyet Square, said that people throw the food and beverage garbage they consume into the sea, and that this is extremely wrong. Nersela Çartı also stated that as a result of people throwing their garbage into the sea, the environment is polluted and the creatures in the bay are also damaged.

Erol Arslan, on the other hand, expressed that he was ashamed of the scenery he saw and said, “I am a person who loves the sea and the environment. I collect waste batteries, waste oil, plastics, papers at home. I give where it needs to be given. I do not throw a single litter either in the sea or on the land. I am also very against the parents. What I don't understand is where did they find the 19 liter plastic bottle and threw it away. Do they specifically search and find and throw away? Why don't you throw it in the trash cans? Güler Çalışkan wanted people to be sensitive to nature and the environment and said: “Boats and ships in the vicinity should also be careful about waste. The state should impose sanctions against those who pollute the environment.”