Thanks to the seaplane, which instantly detects the pollution that may occur both on the sea and on the land in the Gulf of Izmit, the pollution caused by ships has been reduced.
In the inspections carried out with the aircraft, which can also take off from the water and allow the crews to intervene immediately on the ships polluting the sea, 54 million 28 thousand liras were imposed on 478 ships between 2007-2021 and 70 million 112 thousand liras on 18 ships in 2022.
INSPECTED FOR 17 YEARS
Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Environmental Protection and Control Department Environmental Protection and Climate Change Branch Manager Meriç Deniz said that they have been inspecting the Izmit Bay for 17 years with the authority they received from the Ministry.
SEAFORE ADDED IN 2007
Stating that they started inspections with seaplanes in 2007, Deniz noted that by this means, they detected ships and marine vehicles that caused pollution and applied penal action.
“WE CARRIED OUT APPROXIMATELY 500 INSPECTIONS IN 2022”
Stating that they carried out nearly 500 inspections in the Gulf of Izmit in 2022, Deniz said that they notified the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change to take action against 53 facilities in bad condition, as well as criminal proceedings.
Emphasizing that they carried out more than 6,000 hours of control by seaplane, Deniz continued as follows:
“THE PENALTIES WE CUT DECREASED EVERY YEAR”
“We control from the air. When there is any pollution, we transmit it to our boat in the sea. They also go to the necessary place and initiate the proceedings. The fines we impose are decreasing every year. While penalizing 100 ships in 2007, these started to decrease as 80, 70, 60 over the years because our controls began to decrease. “As of the last year, we have imposed penalties on 18 ships. We have penalized a total of 496 ships. It is not enough to impose penalties on the ship, it is necessary to take measures for this. It is more important to clean the pollution on the sea surface by turning a barrier. We are getting it done.”
Deniz explained that they also carry out the process of collecting waste from ships, that it is disposed of by ships belonging to IZAYDAS, and that they carry out various projects for the protection of the Gulf of Izmit.
“OUR PURPOSE IS NOT PUNISHMENT, BECOME A DETERMINATION”
Pilot Hakan Osanmaz stated that he has been flying for tourism purposes for years and has supported the inspections in the Gulf of Izmit for 16 years with the plane belonging to the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality.
Osanmaz said that they detected the negativities in the sea, environment and forests during the inspections and said, “Our aim here is to be a deterrent, not let us punish even if someone pollutes it.”
Pointing out that they can fly between the ships from a height of 1-2 meters, Osanmaz said, “We can officially see the captains. We say this in English. Cleaning up after getting dirty is the most expensive job. The cheapest and most environmentally friendly way is to take precautions before it gets dirty.” used the phrases.
