How the War Made the Black Sea More Vulnerable
Photo: NASA
War is deepening ecological risks in the Black Sea, a basin already under severe environmental pressure.
The Black Sea has long been shaped by pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Russia’s war in Ukraine has added a new layer of uncertainty, raising concerns about pollution, biodiversity loss, and weak regional governance. In this conversation, Prof. Bayram Öztürk, the President of the Turkish Marine Research Foundation, shares insights on the ecological state of the Black Sea, the impacts of war, and what must be done next.
Bayram Öztürk is a Turkish marine biologist, professor, and president of the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV). He currently heads the Department of Marine Biology at Istanbul University’s Faculty of Aquatic Sciences and has spent over 30 years researching the Black Sea. In this interview, he explains why the Black Sea was already “wounded” before the war, and why the current situation demands urgent scientific cooperation.
Before discussing the war, what was the ecological state of the Black Sea?
The Black Sea has always been, in a way, a “wounded sea.” There are two main reasons for this.
First, below 200 meters, there is no oxygen. Instead, there is a hydrogen sulfide layer. This means that only about 9% of the Black Sea can support life, while 91% is essentially lifeless.
Second, the Black Sea has experienced significant pollution over the past 30 years. A major source of this pollution is the Danube River, which carries pollutants from across Europe into the Black Sea. However, recent restoration efforts along the Danube have started to reduce pollution levels, which is a positive development.
Beyond that, the sea faces overfishing, illegal fishing, and strong impacts from climate change. The Black Sea is warming rapidly, leading to what we call “Mediterranisation” or “tropicalisation.” Species from the Mediterranean and even tropical waters are entering and settling in the Black Sea.
Another major issue is the weakness of marine protected areas. The Black Sea lacks sufficient conservation zones, and this is something that urgently needs to change.
What is eutrophication, and how does it relate to the Black Sea?
Eutrophication essentially means pollution. It is not a new phenomenon in the Black Sea, it existed before the war and continues today.
The main cause is nutrient input, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, coming from land-based sources. Much of the wastewater from the six countries bordering the Black Sea is discharged without proper treatment.
This leads to excessive nutrient accumulation, which causes plankton blooms, particularly in spring. These blooms are a direct result of too many nutrients entering the sea and are a clear indicator of environmental imbalance.
How is the war currently affecting the Black Sea ecosystem?
The Black Sea was already fragile, and the war has added new pressures.
One of the most visible impacts has been the mass stranding of dolphins. We know that over a thousand individuals have washed ashore. These marine mammals are affected by underwater explosions and noise pollution, as they rely on sound and must surface to breathe.
There are also concerns about oil pollution from damaged ships, but we do not yet have reliable data on the scale of these spills. Similarly, the Odessa Bay, an ecologically important area for species such as sturgeon has been directly affected by the war.
Another issue is sea mines. These have disrupted fishing activities, particularly for small-scale fishers who fear their safety. Many have been unable to go out to sea, yet there are no compensation mechanisms in place for their economic losses.
Could war-related debris and explosives create long-term pollution in the Black Sea?
It is possible, but we do not yet know the full extent. The impact depends on how much material has entered the sea.
After the war, a comprehensive inventory will be necessary. All Black Sea coastal countries must work together to assess how the sea has been affected. This requires the establishment of an international scientific commission.
All Black Sea coastal countries must work together to assess how the sea has been affected.
At the moment, there is too much uncertainty. Data is limited, and some figures circulating in public discourse are not scientifically reliable. For example, claims about tens of thousands or even millions of dolphins dying are not realistic.
We need a robust and independent scientific monitoring system to understand the real scale of the damage.
Are regional and international institutions doing enough to address these issues?
Unfortunately, no. There are several regional organisations related to the Black Sea, including those focused on economic cooperation and environmental protection. However, their impact has been extremely limited.
We are not seeing meaningful action on environmental protection, fisheries management, or biodiversity conservation. This is deeply concerning.
Stronger civil society involvement and more effective institutional frameworks are needed. Without them, coordinated responses to environmental crises in the Black Sea will remain weak.
Stronger civil society involvement and more effective institutional frameworks are needed.
What should be done moving forward?
After the war, priority should be a comprehensive scientific assessment of the Black Sea.
This includes environmental monitoring, biodiversity assessments, and socio-economic studies—particularly regarding the impact on fishing communities.
We also believe that international law should evolve. Sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands and key biodiversity areas should be considered protected zones, similar to cultural or religious sites, even during conflicts.
More broadly, the Black Sea requires stronger conservation policies, better data collection, and greater international cooperation.
I have been working on the Black Sea for over 30 years, and it is deeply frustrating to see the focus shift from ecological and climate issues to war.
The Black Sea is already under significant environmental pressure. The fact that attention is now diverted away from conservation and toward conflict makes the situation even more unfortunate.