He observed that the population of “Japanese sea cucumber (Apostichopus Japonicus)”, which started to be seen in Izmit Bay last year, increased.
During the dive in Değirmendere Neighborhood, it was seen that the creature, which is estimated to be carried to Izmit Bay with the ballast water of ships, has a dense population especially in the first 20 meters.
The population of the Japanese sea cucumber, which is one of the integral components of the underwater ecosystem because it cleans and filters sea water, is increasing, especially in Izmit Bay, which is a closed and sheltered bay.
“It cleans all formations that harm the sea”
Diving instructor Murat Kulakaç, who performs commercial and sportive dives in the region, said that the proliferation of Japanese sea cucumbers in Izmit Bay is a gift.
Emphasizing that it is forbidden to hunt the species that contribute to the cleaning of the Gulf, Kulakaç said:
“It is our duty to protect these species, which are the natural cleaners of our Gulf. This sea eggplant (cucumber) has been around for the last 1 year. It came with the ballast water of ships. In fact, this is a gift to the Gulf, a gift to us, because scientists have also written the article that the Japanese sea eggplant is the most valuable sea eggplant in the world. It is multiplying rapidly in Izmit Bay. It has a serious contribution to sea cleanliness. It cleans the bottom at least 10 times more than we humans do, but we need to seriously protect it, it is under protection, but illegal hunters pose a serious threat. Because it is consumed very seriously and its weight is very expensive.”
Kulakaç stated that the creature is used in the pharmaceutical industry for diabetics and exported to the Far East, “But what is important for us is that it contributes seriously to sea cleanliness. We need to protect them all together. It cleans all organic substances on the bottom, all formations that harm the sea. Think of it like scavengers in the same aquarium.”
“There are 1200 species distributed in the world seas”
Mehtap Akbaş Çiftci said that they recorded beautiful images underwater.
Çiftci called it “sea cucumber” or “sea eggplant” because of its shape. The population of the species, which is known as the “Northwestern Pacific”, is increasing, he said.
Emphasizing that the species, which is protected by agreements to which Turkey is a party and forbidden to be hunted, is of great ecological importance, Çiftci reported that scientists have proven that the species, which extends to the temperate waters of the Northwest Pacific, including Japan, China, the Korean Peninsula, the Far East, Russia, lives up to 40 meters deep.
Stating that there are 1200 species of sea cucumbers, which constitute the invertebrate group, distributed in the world seas, Çiftci expressed their satisfaction for viewing this species in Izmit Bay.
