Briefed by the expert academic delegation led by YÖK President Yekta Saraç about the scientific researches of the academics within the delegation on the mucilage problem and their solution offers, Erdoğan said: “The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) and other relevant institutions have been immediately mobilized for the problem. The cleaning works in different areas both on the land and in the sea have been continuing since last Tuesday.”

Sea snot, sea saliva, or marine mucilage is a collection of mucus-like organic matter found in the sea.

The creamy, gelatinous substance is generally not harmful but can attract viruses and bacteria, including E. coli, and it can become a blanket that suffocates the marine life below.

It is frequently seen in the Mediterranean Sea and has recently spread to the Marmara Sea, the inland sea, entirely within the borders of Turkey, that connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea.