Sea of Marmara

Marmara Sea is an inland sea located in the northwestern part of Türkiye place. It serves as a strategic passage connecting the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea, opening into the Black Sea via the Bosporus Strait and into the Aegean Sea via the Dardanelles Strait. It derives its name from Marmara Island, which is linked to the marble deposits in the region famous.

The Marmara Sea has a surface area of approximately 11,350 km². Its maximum depth is about 1,261 meters, measured at the Çınarcık Basin. Sea is bordered by Thrace to the north, the Marmara Region to the south, and the Gallipoli Peninsula to the west. The Marmara Sea contains numerous island; the most significant are Marmara Island, Avşa Island, Paşalimanı Island, and İmralı Island.

The Marmara Sea functions as a transition zone facilitating water exchange between the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. Surface currents bring less saline waters from the Black Sea, while deeper currents transport saltier waters from the Aegean Sea. This situation makes the sea’s ecosystem and water dynamics unique.

^{Bosporus Strait.} (TRT)

The Marmara Sea hosts an ecologically rich system. However, since the second half of the 20th century, urbanization and maritime traffic have caused environment pollution to become a important problem. The 2021 mucilage crisis (sea snot) exposed the degradation of the sea’s ecosystem. Mucilage emerged as a result of excessive nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation combined with rising temperatures, negatively impacting fishing and tourism.

The sea supports economically important fish species such as anchovy, sardine and horse mackerel such as. However, overfishing and pollution threaten fish stocks. Approximately 25 million people living around the Marmara Sea directly impact its ecosystem.

The Marmara Sea has held strategic importance throughout history. In antiquity, it was a critical region for both commercial and military purposes for the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The straits connecting the two sides of Istanbul played a pivotal world trade role in routes. The sea also hosts numerous archaeological remains; shipwrecks and ancient structures reflect the region’s rich history.

The Marmara Sea is a vital resource for fishing, maritime transport and tourism. Its proximity to major industrial centers such as Istanbul, Kocaeli and Bursa has made sea transport critical. Additionally, the Marmara Islands and coastal strips, popular for write tourism, contribute significantly to the regional economy.

The Marmara Sea faces challenges including wastewater discharge, industrial pollution and plastic waste. Following the mucilage crisis, the Turkish government and local authorities have launched various projects to clean the sea and protect its ecosystem. These include upgrading wastewater treatment facilities, regulating maritime traffic and making fishing activities sustainable. Environmental organizations and science communities advocate for the development of long strategies to safeguard the sea.