On Thursday, Gerçek Fethiye published the article below about a group of concerned stakeholders from Fethiye and Seydikemer who have initiated an injunction to stop the privatisation of the Göcek Islands.
At times, when the subject of articles in the Turkish press is contentious, we like to make sure we get our facts straight before publishing a translation. We would like to thank Sue Fockner-Aşık and Captain Oktay Aşık for the following translated summary of the article.
Göcek bays tenders discussed at Fethiye-Seydikemer Alliance Platform
Some background information is provided, including the statistic that there are approximately 4000 daily boat trips from Fethiye, Göcek, and the Dalaman-area bays each day during the summer.
Phase 1 commenced on March 15 when Boynuz Bükü, Osmanağa [called At Bükü on our map], Günlük, and Inceburun Bays were auctioned to the highest bidder. [We don’t have these final two bays marked on our map because we rarely visit, but they are close to Göcek frequented by many daily boats.] Permission has been given to install 59 tonneau (mooring buoys), and 99 “spikes” [my word, the things pounded into the group that the boats tie their sterns to] in the bays.
[Coincidentally, although not stated in the article, all of these bays have road access.]
While submitting their papers to the court, the group learned of plans for two more auctions, both scheduled for March 24. These auctions will include Kitle Bükü, Killebükü, Bedri Rahmi, Sıralı Buk, Sarsala, Hamam, Binlik, and Martili Bays. [The article doesn’t break down which bays are included in the separate auctions, but our guess (based on geography) is that the first 4 listed above will be one auction, and the last 4 will be another.] Permission for these bays includes 400 boat capacity, 221 “spikes”, and 84 tonneau.
Concerns mentioned in the article:
- Potential loss of income if boaters decided to avoid the region due to fees.
- Only small areas of the region will remain available for free, public access [for example, Flat Island] and the result will be over-crowding.
Making a statement about the tenders for the construction and operation of eyebolts and buoys in the bays of Fethiye and Dalaman, FTSO Daily Boat Responsible Committee Chairman Güven Altuğ stated that they have filed a lawsuit to cancel the tenders.
Expressing that they are not against the construction of buoys in these bays, Güven Altuğ said, “We are against everything that brings profit. Rather than these tenders, 300-400 buoys should be built in that area and all sea-loving guests can use them free of charge. We are part of it. We believe that everyone should use the sea, not for income purposes.”
The following report of the rally held in Göcek on Sunday was written by Sue Fockner-Aşık, owner of Arkadaslik Yachting, and includes her personal concerns that we would like to share with our readers.
This afternoon, we attended a rally supporting a petition to overturn the privatization of the Göcek Islands. The region is an environmentally protected archipelago near Fethiye, enjoyed by thousands of visitors each day during the summer season. We cruise in and through the region regularly – and appreciate its beauty and calm, clean water.
Although the Pancake Lady is prohibited from building a kiosk on one of the islands to sell her tasty snacks, and illegal structures in the region are routinely destroyed, a wealthy Turkish businessman recently leased the region from the federal government. This deal was done quietly and without stakeholder consultation.
The businessman plans to install mooring balls in the bays – and charge for their use. Apparently, boats will not be allowed to anchor in the bays unless attached to one of the balls. (I know there’s a rude joke there somewhere.) Obviously, this will increase costs for anyone who wants to visit the Göcek Islands by boat. Some concerns have also been raised regarding the installation of mooring balls in the sensitive fish habitat. (Mooring balls are basically 5000kg concrete blocks dropped to the bottom of the sea, with a floating buoy attached to which boats can tie up.)
Basically, it’s a win for the businessman (with his big balls), and a loss for everyone else.
About 500 people attended the rally and signed the petition – including elected officials from Fethiye, Göcek, Dalyan, and Koyceğiz, representatives from Turkey’s boating and fishing industries, leaders of the Fethiye and Göcek daily boat cooperatives, boat and business owners, captains and crew, and members of the general public. (We think we spotted the Purse Lady and Ice Cream Man in the crowd but didn’t get the chance to say “hi”.) The general consensus at the rally is that (besides being sneaky), the decision to privatize the region is a costly mistake that will ultimately decimate tourism in the area.
We hope the courts will quickly overturn the decision, and the Göcek Islands will be returned to the public realm – for enjoyment by all.
Additional thoughts
In my opinion, the lack of transparency and lack of clear communication are probably the biggest issues at this point. Speculation runs rampant.
- Some people are voicing concerns that this is part of a much bigger plan – maybe the new “owners” will start with anchorages, then suddenly need to build roads through the region to staff the anchorages, then build houses to home the staff, and eventually, the entire region will transition from an environmentally protected zone to a huge massive resort. (It may sound outlandish at first glance, but you know how quickly things go from zero to one-hundred in Turkey.)
- No one knows how much will be charged for anchorages. I heard numbers ranging from a few lira to thousands, but no one actually seems to know at this point.
- It is unclear what actual value this plan will bring to the region.
- Established restaurant owners at existing facilities in the bays are concerned about what will happen to their businesses. There are restaurants at Göcek Island, Bedri Rahmi (2), Hamam, and Göbün Bays and a few less structured / maybe not legal tea-house type businesses scattered through the region.
We have enquired about the possibility of an on-line petition so more people can signal their support. I’m not sure what will come of it, but will let you know.
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