Field programme · Ecosystem Restoration
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic materials and particles in terrestrial and aquatic environments, negatively affecting the lives and habitats of all living beings, including humans.
Photo: Akdeniz Koruma Vakfı Arşivi
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic materials and particles in terrestrial and aquatic environments, negatively affecting the lives and habitats of all living beings, including humans.
Each year, more than 450 million metric tons of plastic are produced, with a significant portion remaining in nature without degrading.
On average, a human consumes 5 grams of microplastics per week.
If plastic production continues at the current rate, by 2050 the number of plastics in the oceans will exceed the number of fish.
Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic materials and particles in terrestrial and aquatic environments, negatively affecting the lives and habitats of all living beings, including humans. Each year, more than 450 million metric tons of plastic are produced, with a significant portion remaining in nature without degrading.
To understand the scale of plastic pollution today, here are some striking facts:
Recent studies have reported the presence of microplastics in many foods and beverages, including tap water and salt.
Microplastics of different sizes, shapes and colours are ingested directly or indirectly by over 500 species, including mussels, fish, birds, sea turtles and marine mammals.
Plastic waste accumulating on coastlines negatively affects tourism and causes economic losses.
Plastic pollution threatens food security and quality, human health and coastal tourism, and is also recognised as one of the contributors to climate change.
5 mm’den küçükSize of microplastics
The potential effects of plastics on human health are as follows:
Some chemicals found in plastics may cause cancer.
Toxic substances in plastics can disrupt the hormonal system.
Substances released as plastics decompose can harm the nervous and immune systems.
The guidelines prepared by the UNEP Regional Seas Programme and the European Union's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) provide recommendations on how marine litter should be sampled, analysed and recorded, so that data collected in the Mediterranean, where the coasts of our country are located, are comparable and usable between countries. Within the framework of these guidelines, they provide recommendations on how to scientifically monitor plastics and plastic fragments of different sizes on the coastline, on the seafloor, floating on the surface and ingested by animals.
The main objectives of scientific monitoring studies include limiting plastic pollution levels and their possible effects, reducing the levels and effects of marine- and land-based plastics on coasts, aquatic habitats and biodiversity, and limiting the accumulation levels and effects of plastics of different sizes in aquatic ecosystems. These efforts play a key role in solving the plastic pollution problem.
It is crucial for stakeholder groups such as producers, importers, suppliers and brand owners to take more responsibility in collecting, recycling, reusing and managing plastic waste. Establishing sustainably separated waste bins and recyclable plastic collection centres will also make a difference in combating plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution
The Mediterranean Conservation Foundation conducts research to assess the current state and sources of terrestrial and marine plastic pollution, with the aim of protecting and sustaining the ecosystem in the coastal areas of the Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area.
Research is carried out to reveal the extent and spatial distribution of microplastic pollution in surface seawater, sediment (marine and beach) and the water column, and the information obtained is used to contribute to awareness at the local and national levels.
Within the scope of the work carried out in the Datça-Bozburun SEPA, the presence of macro- and mesoplastics on the coastline and seabed, and of microplastics in seawater and in the digestive systems of economically valuable fish, is determined, and citizen science initiatives are carried out with local communities and stakeholders in the region to raise awareness of plastic pollution.
The Mediterranean Conservation Foundation conducts research to assess the current state and sources of terrestrial and marine plastic pollution, with the aim of protecting and sustaining the ecosystem in the coastal areas of the Datça-Bozburun Special Environmental Protection Area.
Research is carried out to reveal the extent and spatial distribution of microplastic pollution in surface seawater, sediment (marine and beach) and the water column, and the information obtained is used to contribute to awareness at the local and national levels.
Within the scope of the work carried out in the Datça-Bozburun SEPA, the presence of macro- and mesoplastics on the coastline and seabed, and of microplastics in seawater and in the digestive systems of economically valuable fish, is determined, and citizen science initiatives are carried out with local communities and stakeholders in the region to raise awareness of plastic pollution.
