Report:
In the Beşikdüzü district of Trabzon, a total of 29 businesses faced an ESG risk when the treatment system of the Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) where they are located proved to be insufficient. This led to a blockage caused by the waste generated by fish factories. As a result, the pipes of the treatment plant burst and the waste overflowed from the sewer onto the road, eventually reaching the surrounding stream. This led to pollution, a foul odor, and a visual change in the stream, which turned red due to blood and oily fish waste.
Citizens living in the area between the district center and Ambarlı District, where the pollution accumulated on the roadside and was carried to the sea by streams, filed a complaint with the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. In response to the complaint, an investigation was conducted and it was found that three fish factories in the OIZ were defective. As a result, their activities were temporarily suspended. Additionally, TİSKİ teams affiliated with the Metropolitan Municipality reported that the waste had mixed into the sewer system of the OIZ. A fine of 200 thousand TL was imposed, and the companies were given time to implement measures to eliminate the pollution. Construction of a new facility has also begun to increase the capacity of the treatment plant in the OIZ and prevent future pollution.
The affected local residents, such as Merih Bas, complained that the waste was mixing with the road and the sea. Bas expressed concern about the environmental impact, stating that the waste contained harmful substances such as fish oil, blood, and other waste. They believed that the situation was not intentional but rather a result of inadequate actions taken. Bas noted that while the leakage of waste was currently low, with increasing air temperatures, the residues of fish oil, resembling petroleum jelly, that were stuck in the sewer would melt and flow back into the system.
Engin Barutçu also highlighted the inadequacy of the OIZ infrastructure, emphasizing that the proliferation of businesses in the industrial site and the insufficient treatment and sewerage system for processed products from salmon farms in the Black Sea caused pollution. Although the pollution is no longer visible at the point where the sea and the stream meet, it had previously caused serious damage, ruining the sea. People who swim in the sea reported the formation of an oily layer on their bodies. Barutçu called on the authorities to find a solution to this ongoing problem.
Zekeriya Kalyoncu, the Beşikdüzü OSB Manager, supported the claims of inadequate treatment facilities. He explained that the current treatment facility, with a capacity of around 300 cubic meters, was not able to meet the production capacity of the fish factories. Kalyoncu mentioned that the incident occurred due to a discharge caused by a blockage in the manhole, which was promptly addressed on-site. However, when it became clear that the problem would persist, production was stopped. Kalyoncu stated that production would not resume until the new treatment facility was completed. The company received three separate fines from TİSKİ. Kalyoncu acknowledged that the treatment facilities were initially sufficient but became inadequate as the production capacity increased. He also commended the authorities for imposing the necessary sanctions in accordance with the legislation and expressed that if the capacity had been sufficient, the incident would not have happened.
List of ESG Risks deducted from the article:
1. Environmental pollution caused by inadequate treatment systems and infrastructure.
2. Contamination of surrounding streams and the sea due to waste overflow from the sewer system.
3. Negative impacts on marine life and ecosystems due to the release of fish waste and oil.
4. Health risks for individuals exposed to polluted water and beaches.
5. Damage to the local tourism industry and economy.
6. Violation of environmental regulations and legislation.
7. Reputation and brand image damage for the companies involved.
8. Financial penalties and legal consequences for non-compliance.
Groups of affected or vulnerable people:
1. Local residents living between the district center and Ambarlı District.
2. Swimmers and beachgoers in the affected area.
3. Fishermen and other individuals dependent on the sea for their livelihoods.
4. Tourists and businesses reliant on tourism in the region.
List of companies mentioned and their roles in regards to the ESG Risk:
1. Three fish factories in the OIZ were found to be defective and temporarily suspended.
2. Beşikdüzü OSB Manager acknowledged that the treatment facilities were not able to meet the production capacity of the fish factories.
Keywords: Beşikdüzü district, Trabzon, ESG risk, treatment system, OIZ, blockage, waste, fish factories, pollution, bad odor, stream, red color, blood, oily fish waste, Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, complaint, investigation, temporary suspension, TİSKİ teams, Metropolitan Municipality, fine, construction, new facility, capacity, local residents, Merih Bas, environmental pollution, inadequate, OIZ manager, Engin Barutçu, infrastructure, Black Sea, serious pollution, sea damage, swim, solution, Zekeriya Kalyoncu, treatment facility, production capacity, discharge, on-site intervention, sanctions, legislation.
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