Training with marine community in the Trabzon Port

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Another training was conducted in the Trabzon Port on April 7th, 2022. The training was targeting marine communities and sea users in Trabzon. Sea users such as fishermen and mariners have dailyinteractions with the sea thus any alteration in the marine environment has an impact on their life.

Trabzon Port is one of the biggest and busiest seaports in the Southeast Black Sea. This port connects Trabzon and other ports in the Black Sea, Caspian and Mediterranean seaports. However, the historical Trabzon Port has been facing waste runoff and silting problems from the Değirmendere stream. The Değirmendere’s runoff transports anthropogenic waste and sediment creating scenic problem and siltation ofthe port. Although Trabzon Port has been applying MARPOL regulations and certificated by SIFIR ATIK (Zero Waste in Turkish) program, raising the port crew’s awareness to prevent anthropogenic waste from entering the sea is important. This training program was facilitated and supported by Mr. Muzaffer ERMİŞ asthe director of Trabzon Port.

A total of twenty-six people was participated the training with due observance of the COVID-19 pandemic health protocol. The training was started with a presentation by Assoc.Prof.Dr. Coşkun ERÜZ as the project leader and short discussion to assess their understanding on marine litter (sources, impact, and solutions) starts from their daily basis to their working environment. Then continued to a discussion (questions and answers) sharing experience on handling litter. The training participants were showing their awareness and enthusiastic on dealing with litter especially in their work environment (seaport).