‘Octopus 6’ Sea Sweeper Arrives in Tatvan to Clean Lake Van as Part of the “Blue Breath” Project
Within the framework of the “Blue Breath (Mavi Nefes)” project, carried out in cooperation between Garanti BBVA and the Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association (TURMEPA), the sea sweeper “Ahtapot 6” (Octopus 6) has been brought to Tatvan, a district of Bitlis, to clean the surface of Lake Van.
From the Marmara Sea to Eastern Anatolia: The Blue Breath Project Reaches Lake Van
Prioritizing the fight against the climate crisis as part of its sustainability strategy, Garanti BBVA launched the Blue Breath Project in 2021 in collaboration with TURMEPA to reduce and prevent marine pollution in the Marmara Sea.
Now, the project has extended to Eastern Türkiye, reaching Lake Van, the largest soda lake in the world.
To combat pollution in and around the lake, the “Ahtapot 6” sea sweeper will operate year-round (12 months) in Lake Van.
The project aims not only to reduce water pollution and protect biodiversity, but also to raise environmental awareness among local communities.
Ahtapot 6 Launched in Tatvan
The Ahtapot 6 sea sweeper was officially launched along the Tatvan shoreline of Lake Van. The vessel attracted significant public attention upon its arrival, marking Lake Van as the third region reached by the Blue Breath Project.
Tatvan Mayor Mehmet Emin Geylani highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating:
“Around four years ago, with the support of First Lady Emine Erdoğan and our Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum, a cleaning operation was initiated in Lake Van as part of this project.
The underwater sediment cleaning began in Van in 2021 and continued in our district Tatvan in 2022.
With this new phase, and with the strong cooperation between Garanti BBVA and TURMEPA, the Ahtapot 6 sea sweeper will support our underwater cleaning efforts by conducting surface cleaning operations on Lake Van.
Together with our partner institutions, we at Tatvan Municipality aim to restore Lake Van’s natural blue beauty.”
