Big companies are setting their sights on Didim’s Taşburun Fisherman’s Sanctuary, causing unease among local fishermen.

These large concerns that own fish farms have apparently entered into a tender to buy all the operating rights of Taşburun Fisherman’s Shelter, where local fishermen operate.

Bilal Cevizci, Chairman of the Board of Akköy Fisheries Cooperative, stated that no usage area in the port was defined for the local fisherman as part of the tender specifications.

Accordingly, Akköy Fisheries Cooperative will be expelled from Taşburun Fishing Shelter.

Stating that this situation poses risks for the future of the local fishermen and Didim, Cevizci said, “As fishermen from Didim, who have been fishing for generations in Tasburun Fisherman’s Shelter, we have been fighting for our existence for a long time.

“We are about to be thrown out of our own port. All terms and conditions of participation in the lease tender; aim to eliminate the Akköy Fisheries Cooperative, which was established in 1973 and represents the local fishermen of Taşburun.”

Stating that they did not have a chance against big companies in the tender, Cevizci said: “Our request is; stop the unjust and unlawful tender process and support us. This is not just the problem of local fishermen, it is a problem of privatization of Didim and this could have greater effects.:

The Didim Association has also made a written statement regarding the tender process. In it, the association said: “Taşburun Fisherman’s Shelter is one of the most important values of Didim. We support the struggle of local fishermen for this important place which has been used in harmony with nature for years.

“The construction of the tender is also not possible in accordance with the National Parks Law. We expect the administration to make the necessary corrections and cancel the tender process.”