Oil Pollution in Turkish Waters of the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea was defined as a “special area” under the MARPOL Convention in 1983 for its oceanographic and ecological conditions and maritime traffic. 30% of all international seaborne trade are originating from or directed to Mediterranean ports or passing through these waters. The Mediterranean Sea is under heavy use by Russian and Middle East Asia petroleum transport lines which threaten the Turkish coasts. Turkish strategy for the responding accidental oil pollution is to respond as fast as possible on the sea with mechanical oil recovery techniques. The use of dispersants as a chemical recovery technique is not allowed without permission from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization of Turkey. Preparedness for the accidental oil pollution emergency response infrastructures such as risk analysis, semi-online oil spill model, determination of the places of refuge for ships in need of assistance and decision support system and contingency plans in three tiers are completed and have been available in an emergency situation. In Turkey, illegal discharges are monitored by coast guard ships, and penalties are imposed on polluters according to the related law. Emergency response plans are in force in Turkey and renewed every 2 years.