Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Türkiye.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Metropolitan Lavender Festival unites producers and citizens
The Muğla Metropolitan Municipality recently hosted a Lavender Festival at Koku Vadisi, bringing together local producers and citizens in celebration of this fragrant harvest. The festival is part of the Koku Vadisi project, which began on 27 acres in Yerkesik Yeniköy and has expanded to 212 acres across 26 neighborhoods.
The initiative supports 52 female producers from the Yerkesik Agricultural Development Cooperative, offering them an economic boost. Meanwhile, citizens enjoy the beauty of the lavender gardens, making the festival a delightful blend of community engagement and agricultural development. The event highlights the project’s dual focus on economic sustainability and community enrichment.
Source: Fethiye Haber Bülteni
Two earthquakes strike off the Mediterranean Coast
The Boğaziçi Kandilli Observatory reported two earthquakes off the Mediterranean coast, measuring 3.6 and 4.5 in magnitude.
The first quake occurred on Friday at 19:02:26, followed by the second at 19:26:30. The earthquakes had depths of 4.2 and 10.1 kilometers, respectively.
As of Friday, the impact of these seismic events on the surrounding region remains unclear. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to assess any potential effects.
Source: https://www.muglagazetesi.com.tr/akdenizde-pes-pese-korkutan-deprem-164585h.htm
Türkiye moves forward to tackle stray animal issue amid attacks
committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) approved late Tuesday amendments to a law safeguarding animal welfare after three days of tense debates. Colloquially known as the “stray animals bill,” the proposal by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) pitted those seeking to end attacks by feral dogs that cost lives and animal rights activists who claimed Türkiye’s canine population would be exposed to a mass culling.
President and AK Party Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan defended the bill while lashing out at the opposition for exploiting the issue. In a speech on Wednesday, Erdoğan said the bill helps Türkiye to keep streets safer for people amid growing dog attacks.
The 17-article bill, which will now be discussed at the Parliament’s General Assembly, includes an article that calls for “euthanasia” for dogs that are in pain, terminally ill, posing a public health risk or too aggressive to be controlled. Though the term was removed in the final draft of the bill, it sparked an outcry over what the bill’s critics claimed was a “massacre” of dogs across the country.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a dog owner himself, pointed out the risk of stray dogs, estimated to be around 4 million, in a speech in May. He also warned about the escalating risk of rabies, something that pushed Britain to issue a travel advisory against Türkiye. The president, who is the architect of two unprecedented animal welfare bills enacted in 2004 and 2021, has acknowledged that they failed to tackle the stray dog issue through the “catch-neuter-release” method and that a better solution is needed.
Read the full article here: https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/legislation/turkiye-moves-forward-to-tackle-stray-animal-issue-amid-attacks
Activists warn of tourism boycott as Turkey pushes through controversial stray dog bill
The outcry over a proposed law that could potentially lead to the mass culling of stray cats and dogs has spread beyond Türkiye’s borders with a demonstration held on Sunday in central London’s Piccadilly Circus. The event is being organized by a group of Turkish animal rights campaigners living in the UK and is aimed at drawing attention to the plight of Turkish street animals.
Dominic Dyer, a prominent British animal rights campaigner, who spoke at the event, warned that Türkiye’s tourism industry worth an estimated $64 billion in 2023 could be hurt as holiday-makers respond to growing calls to boycott the country.
Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French movie star and passionate promoter of animal welfare, has joined in the appeals with a letter addressed to Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appealing for the bill to be shelved. “Türkiye has been seen until now as a model of compassion for stray cats and dogs, living harmoniously with humans,” Bardot wrote. She was referring to the current practice of catching, neutering and chipping stray dogs then letting them roam free again. “Do not let Türkiye become a nation disliked and criticized for its indifference and cruelty to these sensitive beings, our most faithful companions,” Bardot entreated.
Erdoğan has vowed to pass the bill that was passed by a parliamentary committee on Tuesday but has yet to be put before the full parliament. “Türkiye has a stray dog problem … These stray dogs attack children, adults, elderly people and other animals,” Erdoğan told members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the parliament. “We will make our streets safe by signing the draft into law.”
Source: Al-Monitor
Caravan boom brings parking, environmental problems to Turkish cities
The increase in caravan usage that began during the COVID-19 pandemic has created parking challenges in certain areas. Local residents have raised concerns about caravans occupying public spaces, especially beaches, and reportedly causing environmental damage.
The pandemic changed many habits and lifestyles, including travel and holiday preferences, as people sought to avoid crowds and maintain social distance. This shift has increased the popularity of caravans, but has also created parking issues in urban areas, with caravans often left on streets or at beachfronts, causing dissatisfaction among residents.
Complaints from citizens in several Turkish cities highlight the impact of caravans on urban quality of life. Residents describe the situation as an “occupation of public spaces” and accuse caravan owners of ignoring “urban living rules” and causing “environmental damage.” The problem is exacerbated by some caravan owners who park their vehicles in the same spot for extended periods, effectively using them as residences, further fueling local frustration.
Caravan users, meanwhile, express dissatisfaction with the lack of sufficient parking spaces and current regulations. They call for more secure and appropriate parking areas to be made available.
Read the full article here: https://www.dailysabah.com/turkiye/caravan-boom-brings-parking-environmental-problems-to-turkish-cities/news
Puffer fish cause over $2.17 million in annual damage to economy
The growing population of puffer fish in the Mediterranean Sea is causing significant economic and ecological damage, with losses exceeding $2.17 million.
Associate Professor İnci Tüney from Ege University highlights that these fish are problematic due to their ability to consume a wide range of organisms, threatening native fish populations and harming the fishing industry.
Fishermen report damage to their equipment, leading to financial losses. The puffer fish population has increased due to climate change, and their rapid reproduction and lack of predators make them a dominant invasive species.
The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry is working on projects and campaigns to address the environmental and economic challenges posed by these fish.
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the sport update.
Fethiyespor
Fethiyespor has announced a series of strategic signings as it gears up for the upcoming season in the TFF 2nd League White Group. The club has bolstered its team with a mix of young talent and experienced players in a bid to enhance its competitive edge.
Highlighting their focus on nurturing young talent, Fethiyespor has secured 19-year-old Leo Can Şahin from France on a four-year deal. Additionally, the club has brought in two 18-year-old prospects: Kayrahan Yılmaz from Switzerland, signed for three years, and İbrahim Yüksel from France.
In a significant midfield addition, Samed Hakan Kılıç, previously with France’s FC Chambly Oise, has joined the squad. The team has also acquired several players on loan to strengthen their lineup further. Efe Sayhan arrives from Pendikspor, while Berhan Deniz, a promising 20-year-old, joins with a purchase option from Samsunspor. Aziz Aksoy comes on loan from Çaykur Rizespor, and Emre Bekir and Çağan Kayra Erciyas are both on loan from Alanyaspor.
The club wishes its new recruits success as they don the Fethiyespor jersey in the upcoming season.
Additional player updates this week include the signing of a new contract with Okan Erdik from Amasyaspor. The club has also extended the contracts of Cihan Kazan and Burak Özduman for three years, along with contract extensions for Halil Kaşlı, Şahan Akyüz, and captain Serdar Ümit Deniz.
Source: Fethiye Haber Bülteni
For more information about Fethiyespor please visit:
Join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar group on Facebook for more news and updates
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 42.40 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 42.66 TL.
The US Dollar bought 32.94 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 33.04 TL.
The Euro bought 35.82 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 35.99 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
