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Observations Collected
280+
Jellyfish Sightings
80+
Mucilage Reports
40+
Pollutant Reports
160+
Participating Locations
20+
Through MARTI Ambassadors
From Bursa to Istanbul
Across the Marmara Sea
Both in the sea and on the shore
Across the Marmara Sea
ABOUT MARTI
Community Science for a Healthier Marmara Sea
With the support of EarthEcho's Monitor Water and National Geographic's Young Explorer program, MARTI brings together everyday people who care about the sea.
From students to divers, sailors, fishermen, families, and neighbors—share what you see along the coast and in the water. Help us track changes, identify problems early, and protect marine life and communities.
What We Track Together
MARTI COMMUNITY SCIENCE
Through MARTI, our community monitors and collects simple but powerful data that helps us understand the changes of the sea.
Mucilage
Bloom Tracking
Temperature
Surface Water
pH
Water Levels
Color
Water Clarity
Marine Life
Biodiversity
Pollution
Waste and Debris
2025 – 2026 OBSERVATIONS
What has our Community seen?
From monthly reports of jellyfish sightings to pollution and mucilage outbreaks,
every data point add to the bigger picture.
Jellyfish Sightings
82 reports
28.8% of all observations
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Mucilage Sightings
44 reports
14.4% of all observations
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Waste Sightings
158 reports
55.4% of all observations
Jellyfish
Of the project’s 285 observational reports, 82 reports (28.8%) contained at least one specifically identified jellyfish type. These reports produced 93 individual identifications, as respondents were able to report more than one type within a single observation. Ay Denizanası was the most frequently reported type by a substantial margin, appearing in 72 reports. This represents 25.3% of the complete dataset and 87.8% of reports containing a named jellyfish identification.
Mucilage
Of the project’s 285 observational reports, 44 contained a response in the mucilage-type field. Forty-one responses included a specific mucilage identification, representing 14.4% of the complete dataset. Two responses expressed uncertainty, while one reported that no mucilage could be detected. The most frequently reported form was Jelatinimsi Yüzey, a dense and adhesive surface layer, which appeared in 11 reports. Floklar, described as small freely floating particles, appeared in 10 reports, while Kremamsı Yüzey was identified in seven.
Plastic
Participants reported a wide range of debris, with plastic materials appearing most consistently across the responses. The dominant categories were suspected microplastics or small plastic fragments and macroplastics, including bottles, plastic bags, containers, cigarette butts and food packaging. Fishing-related debris, including nets, fishing lines, ropes and possible ghost gear, was also documented in multiple reports. Clothing and textile products appeared less frequently, alongside debris that participants could not identify.
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