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★Mark us as a preferred sourceA scientific research report on plastic pollution along the Mediterranean coast has been released at the Alanya Municipality. Experts are calling for an immediate state of emergency, warning that inadequate waste management poses a severe threat to both the marine ecosystem and the region’s tourism industry.
The Alanya microplastic pollution has reached a critical level that threatens not only marine life but also Turkey’s multi-billion dollar tourism sector. Presented at the Alanya Municipality Council Chamber, a new scientific report provided detailed, objective data on the sources of the problem and immediate potential solutions.
Background of the Report and Sources of Alanya Microplastic Pollution
During the press conference, attended by media representatives, the tourism sector, NGOs, environmental volunteers, and political party representatives, Prof. Dr. Sedat Gündoğdu presented the findings of a multi-day field study on the Alanya coast. The researcher from the Çukurova University Faculty of Fisheries and the Sabancı University Istanbul Policy Center pointed out that a primary source of the Alanya microplastic pollution is the operation of more than 140 recycling facilities located specifically in the Adana and Mersin regions. Plastic waste illegally discharged into streams is carried by surface currents directly to Alanya, Manavgat, Serik, Kemer, and other parts of the Mediterranean.
Economic Risks and Quantitative Data
Prof. Dr. Gündoğdu highlighted the disproportionate economic risks involved. Turkey’s annual tourism revenue in 2025 was approximately $62 billion, with the Antalya region accounting for about $17 billion of that total. In stark contrast, annual revenue from waste imports is only about $200 million. The researcher emphasized that this relatively small import revenue must not be allowed to jeopardize a multi-billion dollar tourism economy. Furthermore, news about environmental pollution has already reached the European press, which is actively negatively impacting the country’s tourism image globally.
The Need for Emergency Measures and Stricter Inspections
Experts and local administrators agree that the current situation requires immediate, strict intervention. The requested measures include:
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Declaring a state of emergency to prevent further pollution.
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Effectively and strictly inspecting the more than 140 recycling facilities in Adana and Mersin.
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Putting a definitive end to illegal waste disposal practices immediately.
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Making filtration systems mandatory for all these facilities.
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Implementing necessary legal regulations without any further delay.
A Bipartisan Effort for the Future
Alanya Mayor Osman Tarık Özçelik emphasized that this issue goes beyond political debates. “This is an environmental problem above politics,” the mayor stated. The municipality received numerous complaints from tourists this year due to the dense presence of microplastic waste floating in the sea. Özçelik warned: “If this pollution continues like this next year and in subsequent years, we will not be preferred in the Mediterranean basin. We do not want our hotels to turn from tourist facilities into nursing homes.”
The mayor confirmed that they intend to start a movement from Alanya to save the Mediterranean. The first step of this initiative was publishing this scientific report and initiating strict cooperation with relevant state institutions based on factual data.
Source: Alanya Belediyesi (Official Government Site)
