Analysis of Public Perception of Oil Spill Disasters Affecting Marine Environment: A Case Study in Çeşme-Izmir

Abstract

It has widely been an undeniable fact that oil spill has a destructive impact on the health of all inhabitants both on land and in sea. Significantly, oil spill that directly affects the residents exposed to plenty of hazards is likely to cause certain social upheavals and prevalent concerns. This study aims to analyze the socio-economic effects of oil spill on the residents of the region caused by M/V Lady Tuna, as a result of an accident encountered in Cesme/İzmir on Dec.18.2016. The analysis covers the perceptions of the residents in Cesme. The Turkish version of a scale developed by Safford et. al. (2012) has been used for data collection instrument. The sample of the study (n=326) has been determined by a quota sampling method in Cesme. The data collected from the residents have been evaluated by means of frequency and logistics regression analyses. Findings show that the residents of Cesme have an overall view/idea about the pollution, and they are aware of the responsibilities of different related parties of oil spill disaster and possible effects of it.