Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Students Mark National Anthem Anniversary with Commemoration Ceremony
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A special ceremony marking the anniversary of the adoption of Turkey’s National Anthem was held on 12 March at the Özer Olgun Cultural Center, bringing together students, educators and members of the local community.
The Commemoration Ceremony for the Adoption of the National Anthem and Mehmet Akif Ersoy was prepared and presented by students of Göcek Süleyman Şatır Anatolian High School.
The event honoured the adoption of the İstiklal Marşı, which was officially accepted on March 12, 1921. Written by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the anthem remains one of the most powerful symbols of Turkey’s independence and national struggle.
Through performances and commemorative activities, students reflected on the meaning of the anthem and the sacrifices made during the country’s fight for freedom.
During the ceremony, respect and gratitude were expressed for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Mehmet Akif Ersoy, and all the heroes who played a role in securing the nation’s independence.
The event served both as a remembrance and an educational moment for younger generations, highlighting the historical significance of the National Anthem and the values it represents for the Turkish nation.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for New Hacı Veli Mosque in Cami Mahallesi
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A groundbreaking ceremony has been held for a new mosque to be built in Cami Mahallesi following the demolition of the Hacı Veli Mosque, which was found to be structurally unsafe after core sample tests.
The previous mosque was removed after inspections revealed that the structure was not sound. In its place, construction has now begun on a new mosque that will serve the local community.
The ceremony was attended by neighbourhood residents as well as local protocol officials, who gathered to mark the beginning of the project and offer their support.
During the event, appreciation was expressed to benefactor Mehmet Ali Cabbar, whose contribution is helping make the construction of the new mosque possible, along with all those involved in supporting and delivering the project.
The new mosque is expected to become an important place of worship and community gathering for residents of Cami Mahallesi once completed.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Large-Scale Cleanup Targets Illegal Jetties on Türkbükü Beach
Bodrum, MUĞLA – A large-scale operation targeting illegal structures has been carried out on Türkbükü beach, one of the most exclusive and popular tourist destinations in Bodrum.
Teams arrived at the beach in the early morning hours to begin demolishing jetties that had been built along the coastline and were found to violate the Turkish Coastal Law. Many of the structures were also subject to court orders due to blocking public access to the sea.
The operation, which has long been the subject of debate in the area, involved coordinated efforts by teams from the Bodrum District Governorship, Bodrum Municipality, the Bodrum Regional Port Authority, and the National Real Estate Directorate.
Demolition work was carried out both from land and sea, with floating platforms deployed to reach areas that could not be accessed from the shore. One of the most striking details observed during the operation was the presence of gates and barriers placed at the entrances of several jetties, which had restricted access to the beach and the sea. These structures were removed one by one by the teams.
As the demolition orders began to be implemented, some business owners were seen dismantling their own jetties. While there was considerable activity along the beach, teams continued their work to remove the illegal constructions.
The operation also included a cleanup of moorings in the sea. With the support of divers, mooring systems anchored offshore were inspected and cleared individually.
Demolition, dismantling and marine cleanup work is continuing in the area, while it has been reported that legal proceedings concerning some jetties and structures are still ongoing.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/bodrum-turkbuku-sahilinde-buyuk-temizlik/118184/?p=7
Morel Mushrooms Selling for 2,500 TL per Kilogram in Fethiye Market
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Prices for wild morel mushrooms have reached as high as 2,500 TL per kilogram in local markets as dry weather conditions have significantly reduced this year’s harvest.
Hasan Karabulut, who lives in Seydikemer and has been exporting morel mushrooms for about 17 years, said that this year’s drought has had a serious impact on production. According to Karabulut, the lack of rainfall has limited the number of mushrooms growing naturally in the region’s forests.
Wild morel mushrooms are typically collected from forested areas in the higher elevations of Fethiye and Seydikemer. At the Fethiye Local Market, the prized mushrooms are currently selling for around 2,500 TL per kilogram, while shoppers are purchasing smaller bags of approximately 400 grams for about 1,000 TL.
Karabulut said the dry conditions have temporarily halted exports to Europe, where Turkish morels are highly valued. For years, he has supplied customers in United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Switzerland.
“Our customers in Europe have been buying morel mushrooms from us for years,” Karabulut said. “However, this year, because of the dry weather, there hasn’t been enough product and we cannot export at the moment. If rainfall increases in the coming days, we expect more mushrooms to appear in nature and exports could resume.”
Karabulut also pointed out that morels cultivated in China occupy a significant share of the European market. These cultivated mushrooms are typically sold for around 25–30 Euros in Europe and are cheaper than Turkish morels because they are grown using controlled cultivation methods.
In Turkey, however, morel mushrooms are harvested entirely from the wild. Karabulut explained that this makes production highly dependent on weather conditions, meaning supply can vary significantly from year to year.
“Our mushrooms are completely natural,” he said. “When rainfall is low, fewer mushrooms grow and prices rise. If we receive good rains in the coming weeks, production will increase, prices may fall, and exports could start again.”
Morel mushrooms are mainly sourced from mountainous and forested areas across the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, including areas around Antalya, Adana, and Muğla. Known for their strong aroma and natural origin, Turkish morels remain highly sought after by European buyers.
Karabulut added that local consumers are currently buying the mushrooms in small portions of 250 to 500 grams due to their high price, noting that the mushroom is valued not only for its flavour but also for its high protein content.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/kuzugobegi-mantarinin-kilosu-2-bin-500-tl
Turkey Plans Ban on Single-Use Plastics by 2026
Ankara – Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change is preparing a major regulation that aims to ban the market supply of several single-use plastic products across Turkey by the end of 2026.
The proposed measure, part of the country’s Zero Waste Project, would phase out items such as plastic forks, knives, plates, straws and cotton swabs as part of broader efforts to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable resource use.
The regulation is being developed under the National Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2028, alongside a roadmap addressing single-use plastics, marine litter and microplastics. Officials say the new rules will also help align Turkey’s environmental policies with the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive.
If implemented, the ban is expected to prevent around 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions annually and save nearly TL 1.5 billion in waste management costs.
Eco-friendly alternatives such as glass, porcelain, wood and cardboard products are expected to replace many of the banned items. The regulation may also introduce future restrictions on partially plastic beverage cups, food containers, wet wipes and cargo bags.
According to ministry data, Turkey consumed more than 709,000 tons of single-use plastic products in 2022, including cutlery, plates, straws and plastic beverage bottles. Consumption has continued to rise in recent years.
A survey conducted with the Turkish Statistical Institute found strong public support for reducing plastic use. Nearly 78% of respondents supported cutting down on single-use plastics, while more than 60% said they would back a complete ban on items such as straws, plates and plastic cutlery.
The draft regulation is expected to be shared with relevant institutions and stakeholders for review before final approval later this year.
Source: Daily Sabah
Parliament Approves Law Allowing Tourism Facilities in National Parks
Ankara – Turkey’s parliament has approved a major amendment to the National Parks Law, opening the way for expanded tourism and infrastructure development in protected natural areas.
Under the new legislation, tourism-related buildings and facilities may be constructed in national parks and nature parks located outside officially designated tourism development zones, provided the projects are considered to be in the public interest and comply with approved planning frameworks.
Permissions for such projects will be granted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, following consultation with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
The law also allows private companies to obtain usage rights for tourism facilities built within protected areas for up to 49 years. If the operations are later deemed successful and certified by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, those rights could be extended for as long as 99 years.
At the end of the permitted term, all facilities will be transferred fully to Turkey’s natural protected areas authority.
In addition to tourism developments, the legislation permits certain infrastructure projects within protected areas when considered necessary and compatible with park management plans. These may include electricity transmission lines, transportation routes, pipelines, communication systems and water supply facilities.
Environmental groups had urged lawmakers to withdraw the proposal during the legislative process, warning that allowing tourism facilities and infrastructure in protected areas could increase commercialization and pose risks to the ecological integrity of national parks.
At the same time, the new law introduces stricter penalties for environmental violations. Activities that damage ecosystems or wildlife may result in prison sentences of one to three years along with judicial fines.
Penalties for illegal hunting have also been significantly increased, rising from 200 Turkish liras to 10,000 liras in prohibited zones and up to 15,000 liras in designated wildlife protection areas.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Match Result
Fethiyespor lost their home match against Menemen FK on Saturday. The final score was 0-1.
Following recent matches, Fethiyespor remains in 12th place in the league table.
League Matches
There are no league matches scheduled for Fethiyespor this week, but supporters can look ahead to two fixtures next week.
Fethiyespor will play an away match against 68 Aksaray Bld on Tuesday, 24 March, with kick-off scheduled for 14:00.
The team will then return home for their next match against Bursaspor on Saturday, 28 March, with kick-off sceduled for 16:00.
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, matchday updates, and community discussions.
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 58.49 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 59.07 TL.
The US Dollar bought 44.18 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 44.06 TL.
The Euro bought 50.67 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 51.21 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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