THE MOTHER OF THE SEA

First, we find Medusa in the "ancient myth," referred to as Gorgons, monsters of the underworld. According to Hesiod, they were the three daughters of marine deities: Stheno, Euryale, and the most famous, Medusa, who was mortal, unlike her two sisters who knew neither death nor old age. Various representations of them can be found, including sculptures, mosaics, paintings, and ceramics, along the Mediterranean coasts, from the Bosphorus to the Black Sea.

Today, we talk about the proliferation of jellyfish across our oceans, with the primary consequence being overfishing. Jellyfish, having no predators, are free to proliferate. We also encounter chemical pollution, whether from untreated direct discharges or plastic pollution entering the sea today. In some fishing nets, it would not be surprising to find as many fish as various waste items and jellyfish in the future.

Climate change and ocean acidification, caused by the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere, further exacerbate the situation. Rising water temperatures favor their reproduction. The maritime economy threatens marine ecosystems, with boats continuing to be an ideal means for many species to move and proliferate. One such jellyfish, the North American Ctenophore, was introduced to the Black Sea. This species arrived in the ballast water and quickly established itself in the nutrient-rich waters of the Black Sea, leading to the collapse of fish stocks... The anchovy catch practically disappeared.

This work is the first part titled "The Mother of the Sea," conducted in the Black Sea and along the Bosphorus coast. The project took place from August to October 2015.