Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Türkiye.
Curated from various news sources.
🧿 LOCAL NEWS
Stagnation Hits Fethiye Fish Market as Sales Decline
Fethiye Fish Market is experiencing a slowdown, with vendors struggling to sell their stock despite reasonable prices. According to local fishmonger Muzaffer Çavdır, the drop in citizens’ purchasing power is making it difficult for fish to find buyers.
Despite fish prices being relatively stable, sales remain sluggish. Anchovies, priced at ₺200 per kilo, and lopa at ₺150 per kilo, are currently the most popular choices. Meanwhile, sea bream and sea bass are being sold for ₺300 per kilo, but larger fish, in particular, are facing difficulties in attracting buyers.
Expressing his concerns, Çavdır said: “Fish prices are reasonable, but there are no sales. Citizens simply aren’t shopping. People don’t have money, and that’s affecting the market. Right now, anchovy and lopa are selling best, but even they are not moving as much as before. Larger fish are especially hard to sell.”
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-balik-pazari-nda-durgunluk-fiyatlar-uygun-ama-alici-yok/93249/
Gökova Accommodation Forest Park Undergoes Major Upgrades
Gökova Accommodation Forest Park, one of Türkiye’s first forest parks with accommodation, is undergoing a significant transformation to enhance safety and comfort for holidaymakers. Located in the Akyaka Neighborhood of Ula, also known as the ‘Calm City,’ the park’s infrastructure and facilities are being upgraded to ensure a better experience for visitors in the upcoming season.
With the support of the Investment Monitoring Coordination Presidency of the Muğla Governorship, the Muğla Foundation is working intensively to complete the improvements on time.
The renovation includes major infrastructure and superstructure upgrades. Grass paving is being laid in caravan-designated areas, with grass planted in between for a more natural setting. Work is also progressing in areas designated for small and large tents. A controlled electricity usage system is being introduced, particularly for tents, ensuring safer and more efficient energy distribution. Each caravan site will have dedicated waste and clean water outlets, along with electrical connections.
No additional buildings or concrete structures are being added to the park. Instead, green areas and plantings are being used to separate caravan, small tent, and large tent sections. Curb stones are also being installed to clearly define each zone while maintaining the park’s natural aesthetic.
Previously, visitors parked their vehicles next to their tents. Under the new arrangement, designated parking areas will be created for tent and caravan users, reducing vehicle congestion and preserving the park’s natural beauty.
Overlooking the stunning Gökova Gulf and surrounded by lush pine forests, the park is a major attraction for nature lovers and campers. Each summer, it reaches full capacity, welcoming 7,000 to 8,000 visitors daily. With the ongoing improvements, including the renovation of bungalow houses, the park aims to provide a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable holiday experience for all guests.
These enhancements reflect a commitment to sustainable tourism while ensuring that Gökova Accommodation Forest Park remains a premier holiday destination in Türkiye.
Marmaris Forest Rises from the Ashes: Afforestation Efforts Bring New Life
The forest area devastated by the summer 2024 fire in Hisarönü Neighborhood, Marmaris, is being revived through afforestation efforts. A total of 5,000 saplings have been planted in the affected zone, creating a memorial forest in honour of the late Nafia Kutlu. The initiative, carried out by the Marmaris Forest Operation Directorate in collaboration with volunteers, students, and civil society organisations, highlights the ongoing commitment to restoring nature and raising environmental awareness.
The fire, allegedly started by caravan campers on 30 June 2024, destroyed a 5-hectare red pine forest in Gölge Bay. Following extensive clearing efforts by the Marmaris Forest Management Directorate, the land was prepared for replanting. On this significant occasion, 2,000 saplings donated in memory of Nafia Kutlu and 3,000 saplings cultivated by the Forest Management Directorate were planted. Hisarönü Forest Management Director Hayati Aygün Patat explained the meticulous process involved in reintroducing the saplings to the land.
Marmaris Forest Management Director Gökhan Şahin underscored the significance of afforestation and reassured the public about the government’s dedication to protecting forested areas. “Nature is the most valuable heritage we can leave to future generations. There is a misconception that hotels will be built on burnt land. Today, we are proving once again that our state will never allow such a thing and remains committed to nature conservation,” Şahin said.
Following his speech, students and volunteers planted additional saplings, spreading messages of environmental responsibility, including: “Let’s protect our nature. Let’s not leave fires unattended, and let’s keep our environment clean.” Many participants shared their joy at taking part in such a meaningful event, which took place on Valentine’s Day.
To show appreciation for their efforts, the Marmaris Forestry Management teams offered refreshments to volunteers and students. The afforestation drive will continue in the coming years, ensuring that the forests of Marmaris thrive once again.
Source: https://www.haberkenti.com/marmariste-orman-yangininda-yok-olan-alan-yeniden-hayat-buluyor-307766
🧿 NEWS FROM AROUND TÜRKIYE
Severe Snowfall Disrupts Transportation Across Eastern Türkiye
Severe snowfall and blizzards disrupted transportation in several provinces across eastern Türkiye, leaving 988 settlements inaccessible due to road closures.
In Van, heavy snow blocked access to 74 neighbourhoods and 161 hamlets, prompting the Van Metropolitan Municipality to deploy snow removal teams. In Hakkari, snow accumulation reached 30 cm, closing 284 village and hamlet roads, while municipal teams worked to clear rural and main roads.
Muş recorded 35 cm of snow, shutting down 250 village roads and leading authorities to warn citizens about frost and ice risks. In Bitlis, 219 village roads were closed, and municipal teams focused on clearing streets and sidewalks.
Beyond eastern Türkiye, Adıyaman saw 198 village and hamlet roads closed, while in Siirt, Batman, Şırnak, and Bingöl, severe snowfall cut off 559 settlements from transportation. Roads in Erzurum, Ardahan, Tunceli, Kars, and Ağrı were also affected, with authorities conducting ongoing snow-clearing operations.
Efforts to restore access continued as teams worked across multiple provinces to clear roads and ensure safe transportation.
Landslide Triggers Evacuations in Istanbul’s Üsküdar District
A landslide occurred late Thursday night near two four-story buildings in Üsküdar’s Küplüce neighbourhood, prompting evacuations as a precaution.
The incident took place around 11 p.m. on Atlas Çiçeği Street, affecting the gardens of two residential buildings. Upon hearing the loud noise, residents alerted emergency services, leading to the dispatched response of police, fire, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), and municipal teams.
After inspections, authorities evacuated nine apartments and sealed three ground-floor shops as a safety measure. The displaced soil mass landed in a former stone quarry near the buildings.
Resident Ömer Faruk Düztaş described the event: “We woke up to a loud noise, and 10-15 minutes later, another followed. That’s when we realized it was a landslide. A 2-3 meter section of the garden collapsed.”
Business owner Abdülkerim Düztaş noted that the garden in front of the building slid down by about 1.5 meters but assured that “there is no structural damage to the building itself.” He also pointed out that the area was once a stone quarry, making it prone to such incidents, especially after rainfall.
Evacuated residents were accommodated by relatives or local hotels, while authorities continued assessments to determine the buildings’ safety. Fortunately, no injuries or major structural damage were reported.
Researchers Brave Harsh Winter to Track Wolves in Kars
A team of researchers is enduring extreme winter conditions in Sarıkamış, Kars, to track and monitor the local wolf population, providing vital data on the region’s wildlife ecosystem.
With temperatures dropping to -20°C, the KuzeyDoğa Association team is surveying the Allahuekber, Soğanlı, and Hamamlı mountains under the supervision of the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks. Using traditional snowshoes (“hedik”), the seven-member team navigates the snow-covered terrain to estimate wolf numbers and study their behavior.
The researchers analyze footprints, fur samples, scat, and prey remains to track movement patterns and diet. Emrah Çoban, the team’s scientific coordinator, explained that the study aims to determine if the wolves previously tracked belong to packs and, if so, to identify their size and movement patterns.
“So far, we have detected two tagged wolves — one in a pack of four, the other in a pack of three — moving through rural Sarıkamış,” Çoban stated.
The team also captured drone footage of a lone wolf, offering rare insights into its winter behavior. The project’s findings will contribute to better understanding and conservation efforts for wolves in eastern Türkiye.
🧿 SPORT
Fethiyespor
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Match Results
Fethiyespor drew their home match against Altay S.K on Wednesday. The final score was 0-0.
Fethiyespor drew their away match against Karaköprü Belediyespor on Sunday. The final score was 1-1.
Fethiyespor remain in 9th position in the league table.
League Matches
Sunday 23 February at home against 1461 Trabzon FK. The kick-off time is at 13:00.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 45.61 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 44.50 TL.
The US Dollar bought 36.22 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 35.88 TL.
The Euro bought 38.01 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 37.07 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
