The last guest of Setur Marinas Ayvalık, which hosts many events to raise awareness on environmental issues, was the "Marine Litter Watch Program".

 

Görkem Baygın, Setur Marinas Ayvalık Front Office Representative

 

Marine Litter Watch, launched by the European Environment Agency, is much more than just a litter collection event. The program, which is implemented in Turkey under the initiative of TÜRÇEV, the Turkish coordinator of the Blue Flag Program, focuses on understanding the nature of waste. In this regard, it is aimed to identify the sources of waste, determine the extent of the damage to nature and establish a roadmap for a solution. Of course, the ultimate goal is to contribute to environmental sensitivity and awareness.

 

 

So, how does the program work? Marine litter is categorized as "local and non-local" in the studies carried out four times a year in the same region and coordinates. Measurement and counting are then done according to categories. Through analysis results, it is determined whether litter is generated by daily use or by the movements of the sea, and detailed reports are prepared on which type of waste is more prevalent on our coasts. These reports are also entered into the European Environment Agency's data system.

 

 

Ayvalık was the location chosen by the Marine Litter Watch Program for this study last month. A visit was made to Ayvalık Hakkıbey Peninsula with the participation of TÜRÇEV Izmir and North Aegean Provinces Coordinator Doğan Karataş, Setur Marinas Ayvalık team and Ayvalık Pakmaya Maritime High School students within the scope of Blue Flag Environmental Awareness activities. Doğan Karataş and Setur Marinas Ayvalık Front Office Port Services Manager Serap Özipek trained the participants on the purpose of the program and the collection of waste in a certain area. All participants had the opportunity to experience the program in person. There is no doubt that they now have a much deeper awareness of the environment.

 

 

There is still a lot of work to be done and a long path to go on environmental issues. Above all, we all have a role to play on this path.

 

Photographs: Serap Özipek, Setur Marinas Ayvalık Front Office and Port Services Manager