Akbuk fish farms

The Agriculture Ministry's recent decision to relocate fish farms from the Akbük Gulf to Büyük Menderes River Basin within the borders of a national park has drawn reaction from environmentalists.

“The demand for increasing fish production capacity from 20 tons to 980 tons and for raising the numbers of fish farms from 15 to some 100 will cause a reduction in the size of the Menderes River Basin,” said Ecosystem Preservation and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOST) Chairman Bahattin Sürücü.

“Because of the strict control of fish farms in European Union countries, Greek fishermen in particular are trying to establish connections with Turk fish farm owners,” added Sürücü. “Fish farms have mostly invaded the western part of the Aegean shores except for this little part of Büyük Menderes River Basin. Our natural and cultural values are exposed to continual destruction; we should all be sensitive.”

Sürücü said that the Ministry's approval was “suspicious,” because fish farm locations in the vicinity of Taşburnu and Altınkum had been refused previously as they would likely cause pollution.