Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Bee Drinking Water Stations Maintained Ahead of Summer
FETHIYE, Turkey — Maintenance, repair and cleaning works have been completed on the “Bee Drinking Water Stations” launched last year to help bees safely access water during the hot summer months.
The stations were established to support beekeeping activities and contribute to the protection of natural life by providing bees with a safe source of water close to their habitats.
The project also aims to prevent bees from travelling long distances in search of water, helping reduce the risks they face while supporting the health of local ecosystems.
As an important part of the city’s ecological balance, bees continue to receive support through initiatives designed to protect their wellbeing and contribute to the sustainability of beekeeping.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Turkey Designates First Marine National Parks in Fethiye-Kaş and North Aegean
Fethiye-Kaş, Turkey — Turkey has designated its first marine areas as national parks, marking a significant step towards protecting the country’s marine environment.
Under presidential decrees, marine areas in Fethiye-Kaş and the North Aegean have been declared Marine National Parks, giving them a new level of protected status.
The decision has been welcomed by environmental organisations, although conservation groups have stressed that designation is only the first step. Effective management, regular monitoring and enforcement will be essential to ensure the areas receive meaningful and lasting protection.
The Mediterranean Conservation Society said marine protected areas need to be managed using scientific data, with regular monitoring, effective enforcement and the participation of local communities and other stakeholders.
The society highlighted its long-term work in the Fethiye-Göcek area, where its teams monitor seagrass meadows, Mediterranean monk seals, marine biodiversity, sensitive habitats and human pressures on the ecosystem.
According to the organisation, years of scientific monitoring have demonstrated the importance of protecting the region, not only because of its existing biodiversity but also to ensure it is preserved for future generations.
The Mediterranean Conservation Society welcomed the designation of the Fethiye-Kaş and North Aegean Marine National Parks, describing it as a vital decision for the protection of Turkey’s seas.
However, it stressed that turning protected status into effective conservation would require a long-term commitment.
“Placing an area under protection is the first step; truly protecting it is a long-term process,” the society said.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/turkiyenin-ilk-deniz-milli-parki-fethiye-kas-ve-kuzey-ege-sinirlarinda
Turkey records 19th-hottest July as August temperatures climb
Turkey – Turkey recorded its highest temperature of the year so far in July, with thermometers reaching 46.8°C (116°F) in Cizre, Şırnak, according to data from the General Directorate of Meteorology.
The country’s average temperature for July was 25.3°C, slightly above the 25°C average recorded during the 1991–2020 period. July 2026 ranked as the 19th-hottest July recorded in Turkey over the past 56 years.
Temperatures were above seasonal averages in parts of the Aegean, Mediterranean, eastern Anatolia and southeastern Anatolia regions. The Mediterranean recorded an average of 27.8°C, while southeastern Anatolia reached 31.8°C — both 0.7°C above their long-term July averages.
The Aegean also experienced warmer-than-usual conditions, with an average temperature of 27°C, while eastern Anatolia averaged 23.8°C. Central Anatolia was among the few regions to record cooler conditions, averaging 22.3°C compared with its long-term July average of 22.7°C.
Temperatures varied sharply across the country during the month. While Cizre recorded the highest temperature at 46.8°C, the lowest was 4.6°C in Kangal, Sivas.
Source: Daily Sabah
Muğla Governorship Issues Fire Safety Warning for August 18–October 31
MUĞLA, Turkey — The Muğla Governorship has issued a general order aimed at preventing forest, agricultural and rural fires across the province between August 18 and October 31, 2026.
Under the order, anyone carrying out work in neighbourhoods outside provincial and district centres, forest villages and other open areas—including fields, vineyards, orchards, olive groves, mines and farms—must notify the relevant law enforcement authorities before using welding equipment, angle grinders or other grinding and cutting tools.
Notifications must be made to the Gendarmerie or Police, either in person, by telephone or through the Hayat 112 application.
The Governorship has also outlined a number of mandatory fire-prevention measures. Before work begins, combustible materials such as dry grass, stubble and wood must be cleared from an area of at least 10 metres around the work site, or the natural vegetation must be thoroughly wetted to reduce the risk of ignition.
During the work, operators must have at least one 6kg ABC-type dry chemical fire extinguisher, together with an adequate supply of water and appropriate firefighting equipment, readily available.
Measures must also be taken to prevent sparks from spreading, while the work area must remain under constant supervision throughout the operation.
The Governorship warned that administrative and judicial sanctions will be imposed on those who fail to comply with the order, in accordance with the Law on Misdemeanors.
The statement emphasised that public awareness and strict adherence to the fire-prevention measures are essential to protecting forests, agricultural land, property and lives across Muğla.
The Governorship urged residents to exercise the utmost care during the high-risk fire period and help protect the province’s natural environment and its “green homeland.”
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/mugla-valiliginden-18-agustos-31-ekim-arasi-yangin-uyarisi
Seasonal Excitement at Fethiye Fish Market as New Fish Varieties Arrive
FETHIYE, Turkey — Activity at Fethiye Fish Market is expected to increase following the lifting of the seasonal fishing ban on September 1, with a wider variety of fresh fish set to appear on the stalls.
Fish market vendor Murat Dalca, who has worked in the fish trade in Fethiye for nearly 20 years, said varieties including anchovies, horse mackerel, kıraça (juvenile mackerel) and lopa, a local term used for certain small fish, are expected to become more widely available as the new fishing season gets underway.
The seasonal selection at the market is also beginning to change. During the summer months, sea bass, sea bream, shrimp and calamari are among the most prominent products, while smaller fish varieties are expected to become increasingly popular following the start of the new season.
Dalca said the market becomes particularly lively during the evening, when customers come to buy freshly caught fish.
“Our fish arrive daily; they are fresh,” Dalca said, highlighting the emphasis placed on freshness at the market.
“I am a local of Fethiye and have been in the fish business for 20 years,” he said. “God willing, our season is in full swing. We get busy in the evenings; customers come and go.”
Dalca added that the market offers a range of seafood, including sea bass, sea bream, shrimp, calamari and rockfish, with fish prepared for customers at the market.
With the new fishing season now approaching, shoppers in Fethiye can expect to see more small and seasonal fish varieties filling the market stalls, adding to the choice of fresh seafood available locally.
Nemrut Caldera Declared a National Park in Eastern Turkey
BITLIS, Turkey — The Nemrut Caldera in eastern Turkey has been designated a national park, strengthening protection of one of the country’s most important natural areas and supporting efforts to promote sustainable tourism in the region.
The decision was made through a presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on August 19, placing the vast caldera, which spans the Bitlis districts of Tatvan, Ahlat and Güroymak near Lake Van, under national park protection.
The designation aims to safeguard the area’s rich biodiversity while encouraging environmentally sustainable tourism. It follows the recent designation of the Fethiye-Kaş and North Aegean marine national parks, contributing to a reported 64 percent increase in Turkey’s protected areas over four days. The total number of protected areas has now reached 1,791, covering approximately 62,403 square kilometres.
Erdoğan Özel, founding head of the Vangölü Activists Association, welcomed the decision and thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Bitlis Governor Ahmet Karakaya. He said the new status would help prevent uncontrolled use of the remote area.
“The caldera is not only for Bitlis but an essential center for all humanity, housing the world’s second-largest and our country’s largest crater lake,” Özel said.
He added that the association has organised festivals and trekking activities over the years to raise awareness of the high-altitude site and would continue working to protect the area.
Kenan Akın, spokesman for the Bitlis Nemrut Geopark Sports Club, said the national park designation is expected to boost tourism in the rugged region.
The announcement has already attracted interest from visitors. Vedat Gültepe said he travelled to Bitlis with his family after hearing the news, hoping to experience the area’s natural beauty firsthand.
The Nemrut Caldera was formed following the eruption and collapse of Mount Nemrut, a dormant volcano in eastern Anatolia. Situated at an elevation of nearly 3,000 metres, the caldera is home to deep freshwater lakes and provides an important habitat for a wide variety of regional flora and fauna.
The new national park status is expected to strengthen conservation efforts while helping Nemrut Caldera become a more prominent destination for nature, trekking and sustainable tourism.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-declares-nemrut-caldera-protected-national-park-225844
Kandilli Records 117 Earthquakes South of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands
ISTANBUL, Turkey — Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute has recorded 117 earthquakes south of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands over a two-day period, with magnitudes ranging from 0.7 to 3.1.
According to Boğaziçi University’s Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute, the earthquakes were detected between the morning of August 18 and the early afternoon of August 20, within an area extending approximately 20 kilometres south of the islands.
The institute described the activity as a “temporally and spatially clustered microearthquake sequence”, referring to a series of relatively small earthquakes occurring close together in both time and location.
Kandilli said such clusters of small earthquakes can occasionally occur in active tectonic regions.
For earthquakes recorded on August 19 and 20 where moment tensor solutions could be calculated, the focal mechanisms indicated normal-component oblique strike-slip movement. The similarity between the mechanisms suggests that the earthquakes occurred within a similar faulting geometry.
The institute said seismic activity in the area is being monitored and assessed around the clock by its Regional Earthquake-Tsunami Monitoring and Evaluation Center.
Experts are continuing to evaluate the activity based on the earthquakes’ locations, depths, magnitudes and source mechanisms.
Kandilli said its teams will continue 24/7 monitoring and detailed assessment of the seismic activity in the region.
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Fethiyespor Pre-Season Update ⚽️
Fethiyespor suffered a 2-1 defeat to Elazığspor in their second pre-season friendly during their training camp in Afyon.
The navy-blue and white side continued its preparations with the match, played at 19:00 at the Afyon Training Centre. The first half ended goalless, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Elazığspor took control after the break, scoring twice through Çağlayan Menderes and Kemal Rüzgar. Fethiyespor managed to pull a goal back but could not find an equaliser as Elazığspor secured a 2-1 victory.
The result follows Fethiyespor’s 3-0 defeat to Muş Spor in their first friendly at the Afyon camp.
Fethiyespor’s pre-season training camp in Afyon comes to an end this weekend, with the team set to return to training at Fethiyespor Stadium from next week as preparations continue for the 2026–2027 season.
🎟️ Season tickets are still available from the Fethiyespor Club Headquarters and the Fethiyespor Store & Café.
Maraton Season Ticket: 5,000 TL
The Professional Football A-Team’s bus is also ready for the new season, sporting a fresh new look!
Fethiyespor extends its thanks to the team at Printtech Advertising Agency and its owner, Alihan Aydın, for their work on the new bus wrap.
League Matches
Fethiyespor will play the first game of the season at home against 52 Orduspor FK. on Sunday, 6 September 2026. Kick-off time is 19:00.
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, new signings, matchday updates, and community discussions.
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 65.54TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 64.80 TL.
The US Dollar bought 48.03 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 47.88 TL.
The Euro bought 56.09 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 55.40 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
