Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources
Cornfield Turns Out to Be Cannabis Field in Muğla
Köyceğiz, Muğla – Gendarmerie teams in the Köyceğiz district of Muğla uncovered a field disguised as a cornfield that was being used to cultivate cannabis plants on Monday.
Responding to a tip-off, the teams raided the location and seized two truckloads of female cannabis, which is typically used in the production of marijuana. The plants were destroyed on site before they could be distributed, preventing potential harm to the public.
Authorities confirmed that the operation was carried out swiftly and efficiently, highlighting ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to combat illegal drug cultivation and distribution in the region.
An investigation into the incident is continuing, as gendarmerie teams work to identify those responsible for the illicit operation.
Source: Fethiye TV
48 Baby Turtles Reach the Sea in Aydın
Aydın, Turkey – In Aydın, western Turkey, 48 baby turtles emerged from their nest on Sevgi Beach in the Davutlar neighbourhood and successfully made their way to the sea.
According to a statement from the Association for the Protection of Ecosystems and Nature Lovers, the caretta caretta nest was carefully opened under controlled conditions with the contribution of Professor Oğuz Türkozan, a faculty member of the Biology Department at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Adnan Menderes University.
The 48 hatchlings that emerged later reached the blue waters, while local residents on the beach recorded the moment on their mobile phones.
Association President Bahattin Sürücü stated that although Aydın lies outside the usual nesting areas for sea turtles, the number of nests in the region has increased in recent years.
“This year, there were seven nests in Kuşadası and three in Didim. All nests were placed under protection through our collaboration with the National Parks Branch Directorate. The first hatchlings in Kuşadası have now started emerging. A turtle laid 61 eggs in the Kuşadası nest, and 48 hatchlings reached the sea, while 13 eggs were found to be defective. The increasing number of nests each year is very important,” Sürücü said.
Source: https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/48-baby-turtles-hatch-reach-sea-in-western-turkiye/news
Vacant Lot Turns into Garbage Dump in Seydikemer
Seydikemer, Muğla – A vacant lot adjacent to the covered market in Seydikemer’s Cumhuriyet neighbourhood has been filled with rubble and discarded household items, drawing criticism from local residents.
Residents expressed concern over the pollution, noting that the site has become both unsightly and unhygienic. One resident took to social media to voice their frustration, asking: “Is this a dump, a recycling center, or a waste collection area?”
Local authorities have not yet issued a statement regarding the situation.
Source: Fethiye TV
2,000-Year-Old Seagrass Discovered in Göcek
Göcek, Muğla – A 2,000-year-old seagrass has been discovered off the coast of Kızılada (Red Island) during the Göcek leg of the Blue Breath Project, a joint initiative by Garanti BBVA and TURMEPA. The age of the plant was determined by Prof. Dr. Ergün Taşkın and his team, marking the first time such a finding has been recorded in Turkey.
The discovery, made within the Fethiye-Göcek Special Environmental Protection Area, is considered a milestone in marine research. Laboratory studies confirmed the seagrass’s age, providing new insight into the role of these ecosystems in biodiversity, oxygen production, and carbon capture.
Launched in 2021, the Blue Breath Project has carried out environmental and scientific work across Turkey, from waste collection to biodiversity mapping. In Göcek, more than 860,000 litres of liquid waste have been collected from boats, preventing pollution of the surrounding waters.
Project leaders say the discovery will support future efforts to protect and cultivate seagrass meadows, vital habitats that help combat climate change and preserve marine life.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/gocekte-2-bin-yasinda-deniz-cayiri-kesfedildi
Calls for Traffic Relief in Ölüdeniz Ahead of 2026 Summer Season
Fethi̇ye, Muğla – Leaders of the Ölüdeniz Motor Carriers Cooperative have met with local officials to propose temporary measures aimed at easing traffic congestion in the Ölüdeniz region.
Ünal Arıcı, President of the Ölüdeniz Motor Carriers Cooperative No. 22, along with board members from Fethiye urban transportation cooperatives, visited Kadir Sarıhan, the AK Party Fethiye District Chairman, to discuss solutions for the region’s persistent traffic problems, which worsen during the peak summer season.
Arıcı suggested opening existing publicly owned parking lots in Ölüdeniz and Belcekız for two to three months without harming the natural environment, as the area currently has limited parking aside from the Kumburnu Nature Park lot. He also called for long-term planning, including the development of multi-story parking to accommodate the thousands of vehicles that enter Ölüdeniz daily. “An alternative road will be built, but temporary parking arrangements are needed to ease traffic until the new road is completed,” he said.
Responding to the proposal, Sarıhan confirmed that preparations for the 3,450-metre Ölüdeniz alternative road are nearly finished and stressed that it would be ready in time for the 2026 season. “We are aware of the traffic challenges in Fethiye and Ölüdeniz,” he said. “Public authorities and local government must work together on urban planning. We will convey your requests to the relevant parties.”
The meeting highlighted both immediate and long-term strategies to improve traffic flow in one of Turkey’s most visited summer destinations.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/oludeniz-bolgesinin-trafiginin-rahatlatilmasini-istediler
Lost Ottoman Ship Found Off Datça, Muğla
Datça, Muğla, Turkey – A long-lost Ottoman ship, which was hit in a skirmish off the coast of Datça and had previously washed ashore and caught fire, has been discovered during underwater excavations.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the findings, highlighting the historical significance of the shipwreck. “More than 30 rifles, over 50 humbaras, thousands of bullets, and the largest collection of pipes from the Ottoman period were found in the first and only 17th-century Ottoman shipwreck excavated in Turkey,” he said.
The artifacts were uncovered this year during the Kızlan Ottoman Shipwreck Underwater Excavation, part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Heritage for the Future project. The excavation, conducted off the coast of Datça under the direction of Prof. Dr. Harun Özdaş with assistance from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nilhan Kızldağ, has revealed numerous items from Turkey’s underwater archaeological heritage.
Minister Ersoy emphasised the importance of the discovery, describing it as one of the most remarkable finds in global underwater archaeology. In a social media post, he said: “We are following the traces of our ancestors not only on land but also at sea. With our Ministry’s ‘Heritage to the Future Project,’ we are preserving our unique heritage and passing it on to future generations. The Kızlan Ottoman Shipwreck recently unearthed weapons, porcelain, chess sets, and unique artifacts that shed light on history. This discovery is the first example that brings Ottoman naval power and trade to the present day and stands as one of the most striking finds not only in Turkey but also in the world.”
The excavation continues, promising further insights into Ottoman maritime history and trade networks.
Source: https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/osmanlinin-kayip-gemisi-datca-aciklarinda-bulundu-7411726
Dead Fish Wash Ashore in İzmir Bay, Turkey
İzmir, Turkey – İzmir Bay on Turkey’s western coast is once again experiencing mass fish deaths. On Saturday, dead fish appeared along Turan Beach in the Bayraklı district, and today large numbers were observed along Karşıyaka’s shoreline.
Teams from the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality collected and disposed of the fish. The bay’s water has turned green and brown, and the strong odour has left the shoreline largely deserted.
Local residents reported the persistent smell. “There are dead fish everywhere, from large to small. The smell is extremely strong,” said visitor Gökhan Havuz.
Experts attribute the die-off to pollution and rising water temperatures. Professor Ergün Taşkın of Manisa Celal Bayar University said İzmir Bay faces high pressure from urban, industrial, port, domestic, and agricultural activities, causing toxic algal blooms that can kill fish.
Dr. Levent Yurga of Ege University added that bacterial decomposition of dead plankton and marine animals worsens the odour, and that cyanobacteria, diatoms, and dinoflagellates have caused recurring fish deaths.
“Short-term fixes are ineffective. The only long-term solution is to stop pollution at its source,” Yurga said.
Last year, dead fish washed ashore in the same area, prompting investigations and measures to improve water quality.
Source: https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/dead-fish-wash-ashore-as-pollution-strikes-izmir-bay-again/news
