Mediterranean – Black Sea Geographical Connections
The Mediterranean Sea is connected to the Black Sea by the Strait of Bosporus, a narrow body of water which lies alongside the coast of Turkey in the western part of the Eurasian continent. This body of water measures 22 km in length and separates Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, into North and South halves. It has been an important part of both world history, and commerce since ancient times, as it was a main waterway which connected a vast network of inland seas, rivers, and trade routes which went all the way to northern Russia. Strategically speaking, the Strait of Bosporus has been a critical chokepoint and military asset, often being fought over in many wars throughout its storied history.
The Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea were connected by a water path since the end of the last Ice Age, which led to an increase in the Black Sea area by around 60%. It is theorized that this influx of water led to the displacement of many cultures in the area, as well as other widespread changes. The mixing of waters between the two seas has had an immense impact on the delicate marine ecology of both bodies.
As the Mediterranean Sea began to warm in the modern era, scientists warned of increased salinity, as well as changes to the oxygen content of the Black Sea resulting from the influx of Mediterranean water. In the latter half of the 20th century, the influx of Mediterranean water caused severe oxygen losses in the Black Sea, and well into the 21st century, scientists are struggling to understand the effects of this influx on the fragile carbon cycles of both seas.
The Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea have long been connected and still are to the present day. But with rising global sea levels, scientists are acutely aware that climate change could impact these connected waters significantly, leading to significant migrations of animals, disruptions of fishing and shipping, and major changes to ecosystems.
Governance and Shipping through the Strait
The Bosporus Strait is under the control of Turkey, which manages the traffic by requiring vessels taller than 40 meters to notify the Turkish authorities in advance of their transit. According to a recent report published by the International Maritime Organization, around 13,000 merchant vessels pass through the Bosporus Strait each year. Of these vessels, 10,000 are considered traffic requiring passage through the heavily congested and vulnerable strait.
The bulk of the traffic is tankers, bulk carriers and ferries, but numerous other types are also found in significant numbers. Alongside its military importance, the Bosporus Strait is also a critical link in international trade routes. It is estimated that around 6.5 million barrels of oil and 2 million tons of cargo transit its waters every day.
The European Union has increasingly expressed concern over the safety of merchant vessels traversing the strait. In response, the Turkish government has adopted several measures to reduce the risks of maritime accidents. To that end, the Turkish government has enacted legislation to strengthen its grip on the Bosporus, prohibiting ships carrying hazardous cargo such as oil, nuclear waste and chemicals.
The Turkish authorities also have the right to restrict, deny or modify any vessel movements through the strait if deemed necessary. In addition, they have been actively upgrading and constructing navigation technologies such as navigational aids, navigation systems and traffic signal systems.
Environmental Impact
Environmental activists and groups like Greenpeace have repeatedly called out Turkey’s failure to properly monitor and regulate the ever-increasing traffic through the Bosporus Strait. Furthermore, Turkey’s approach to environmental protection has been criticized as inadequate and a potential threat to the biodiversity of both the Mediterranean and Black Sea, due to the release of toxic chemicals into the aquatic environment in and around the strait.
The ecological equilibrium of both connected seas has been in jeopardy since the dawn of human civilization, owing to the introduction of non-indigenous species, increased shipping, and other human-induced activities. In recent years, changes in the climate have further exacerbated these factors and could be contributing to what some scientist call ‘stranding events’, where large bodies of fish and other aquatic life forms are found beached near the coasts of the strait, likely due to a lack of oxygen.
In response to these environmental issues, the Turkish government, as well as the International Maritime Organization, have sought to create policies that would reduce the overall ecological impact of shipping and other human activities in the Bosporus Strait.
Political Tensions
At the same time, the Strait of Bosporus has been the epicenter of some of the most contentious political disputes of the modern era. After the end of the Cold War, Russia and Turkey have had frequent disputes over the use of the strait, with Russia and its allies claiming it to be a vital international waterway, and Turkey seeking exclusive control over its waters. This tension has led to several diplomatic scuffles between the two countries, with some fear that any unexpected escalation could pose a danger to global security and trade.
Moreover, the tensions between the two countries heightened with the Crimean crisis, when pro-Russian rebels forcefully annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. The Bosporus Strait was immediately blocked off to prevent Ukrainian troops from gaining access to the Black Sea, a move that was heavily criticized by NATO and the United States. This incident further exacerbated the political tensions between Russia and Turkey and has led to a diplomatic stand-off which continues to this day.
In the face of these heated political tensions, countries around the world have sought to de-escalate the situation. The European Union, in particular, has strived to put an end to the diplomatic crisis, and to ensure that the Strait remains open to all maritime traffic.
Concerns Regarding the Future
In spite of the presence of international organizations and concerted diplomatic efforts, some experts remain highly worried about the future of the Bosporus Strait. The increasing burden on its waters from chemical and oil transport, coupled with climate change-induced sea-level rise and the political tensions mentioned previously, all threaten to bring the waters of both the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea to the brink of disaster.
As such, advocates have called for greater investment in environmental protection and more stringent policies on merchant vessel traffic in order to ensure that both the Mediterranean and Black Sea retain their delicate ecology. Though there is much work to be done, many of these initiatives are being funded by the European Union, which is hoping that this will act as a platform to bring peace and prosperity between both sides of the strait.
The Role of the Mediterranean Union
Recently, the prospect of a Mediterranean Union has been floated by numerous political and economic stakeholders. Proponents of the Mediterranean Union suggest that it has the potential to reconcile the differences between countries in the region, and to foster closer economic and political ties. This body would be tasked with managing the ecological and economic impact of the sea by monitoring and controlling the activity within its waters, as well as ensuring that shipping and tourism remain safe and sustainable.
The implementation of the Mediterranean Union could be an important step in protecting the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea from further degradation and exploitation. The possibility of such a union has been met with a mixed response, with many welcoming the prospect of greater harmony between nations, while others skeptical of the potential effects of a regional body.
Conclusion
The Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea have been linked for centuries, and the Strait of Bosporus continues to be an important connection between them. But with rising environmental issues and political tensions, this link is increasingly at risk of being lost. As a result, it is up to the international community to come together to protect this fragile link and ensure the continued health of both seas. The establishment of a Mediterranean Union could be a significant step in that direction.
