Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
NEWS
Mayor and Muğla region deputy pledge to fight geothermal exploration plans
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Both the Mayor of Fethiye Alım Karaca and Muğla’s Deputy Mürsel Alban have pledged themselves to the battle to block plans for geothermal drilling sites along the coast between Ölüdeniz and Gemiler.
Both hosted a joint press conference in Kayaköy on Thursday to confirm their vehement opposition to the shock decision to grant applications for exploration at six locations.
Click here to read the full report by Fethiye Times Associate Editor, Steve Parsley.
Since this press conference, further information been reported by Fethiye TV and Gerçek Fethiye.
A translation of the Fethiye TV article reads as follows:
“No permission has been obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization for the geothermal borehole in Fethiye.
“The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization did not give the green light to the geothermal exploration activity with the drilling method planned in Fethiye district of Muğla.
“According to the information received from the Ministry, the investor firm made a request to the Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization in Muğla on April 10 for the planned activity of drilling seven geothermal drilling wells, each consisting of 10 thousand square meters, in the Göcek Special Environmental Protection Area (SEPA).
“As a result of the examination made by the General Directorate of Protection of Natural Assets under the Ministry, it was stated that the requested area is within the boundaries of the SEPA and in the first degree natural protected area. It was also stated that the region is located in the areas defined as “forest”, “camping areas” and “sensitive zone”.
“According to the results of the Fethiye-Göcek SEPA Land Terrestrial Biodiversity Detection Project, it was determined that there are habitats in the demand areas where endemic plant associations spread.
“It is reported that the activity planned to be carried out in this context was not found appropriate by the Ministry, as it remained in the “sensitive zone” defined area requiring absolute protection, and would harm the integrity of the existing flora, fauna, ecosystem and endemic plants.”
Both the articles suggest the Ministry has opposed the application. However they include some qualified phrasing and don’t report on the possibility of an appeal or include any comment from the applicant. As a result, Fethiye Times cannot confirm that the project has definitely been cancelled.
As soon as we have verified and accurate information, we will share it. Hopefully, there will be more to say tomorrow.
https://gercekfethiye.com/fethiyede-cevre-kazandi/27096/
SpaceX satellites visible over Turkey in night sky
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A string of lights were seen in Turkey’s skies Wednesday night as SpaceX launched a batch of Starlink internet satellites.
The satellites were seen with the naked eye in the sky from the Mediterranean coastal province of Mersin at 8.26 p.m. local time (1726GMT).
They appeared for at least 5 minutes over Toros (Taurus) Mountains in the Mediterranean.
The satellites were periodically launched and flying in low Earth orbit.
Each weighing around 500 pounds, 60 satellites were launched to provide low cost internet to remote locations.
Source: aa.com.tr
Turkey marks May Day amid pandemic
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The International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, was marked by labor unions, NGOs and political parties across Turkey.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak and the weekend curfew Ankara implemented, rallies were not held on May 1. Nevertheless, May Day was celebrated with “social distancing” in various cities on April 30.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also commemorated International Workers’ Day on April 30.
“I hope that May 1, which is celebrated as a day of unity and solidarity of workers all over the world, will lead to a fair work environment, and I greet all my citizens with my most heartfelt feelings.”
Earlier in the day, at least 45 people were detained in Istanbul and Ankara for attempting to hold May Day marches despite a three-day curfew enforced on April 30 midnight. They were later released.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-marks-may-day-amid-pandemic-154362
İztuzu beach welcomes Caretta carettas
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The world-famous İztuzu beach Dalyan is experiencing some of its quietest days ever due to the coronavirus lockdown, as its natural inhabitants, the Caretta caretta loggerhead sea turtles, are beginning to lay their eggs.
Between May and September the female turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs in the sand. Using their back flippers, they scoop out a nest about 40cm deep, lay between 70 and 120 soft-shelled white eggs the size of ping-pong balls, and then cover them over again. If disturbed, the females may abandon the nests and return to the sea.
Restrictions that keep humans and harmful waste off the beach are having a beneficial effect on the environment and minimizing the risk of the turtle nests being disturbed.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/iztuzu-beach-welcomes-caretta-carettas-154381
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the sport updates
Fethiyespor
‘Stay Home’ messages from Fethiyespor players
Whilst league matches are delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak, players from Fethiyespor have recorded messages from their homes asking everyone to “Stay Home” and “Stay Healthy”
12 players who are isolated in Fethiye went out to train for the first time this week making sure they followed the social distancing rules. They carried out suitable exercises under the direction of Enver Ataçocuğu.
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Erdi Bakırcı, one of the captains of Fethiyespor, said, “We want the leagues to start. We miss football very much. We started training under the supervision of our teacher, Enver. We have been training at home but training with the team is more efficient. We are hoping that we can meet as a team next week.”
Source: Gerçek Fethiye
Happy Birthday to midfielder Talha Bulut who celebrated his 19th birthday on Tuesday 28 May.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 8.76 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 8.62 TL.
The US Dollar bought 7.01 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 6.97 TL.
The Euro bought 7.77 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 7.55TL.
Source: FxexchangeRate.com
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
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Source: Living Earth
Today’s featured image: “Fethiye – After the Storm” by Lyn Ward
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The post Fethiye Times News – Week Ending 03 May 2020 appeared first on Fethiye Times.