Minister Kurum: "We are protecting our blue heritage"

Minister Kurum stated on social media; “Thanks to the Mapa Buoy System; Sea grass will be protected, uncontrolled anchoring will be prevented, sea traffic will be regulated, marine tourism will become sustainable, and more fair and balanced use of bays for both marine life and people will be ensured.”

17 BAYS, 926 SEA MAPS AND 906 BUOYS INSTALLED

Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum shared footage explaining the Mapa-Buoy Project, implemented to protect marine grass known as 'the forests of the seas' and to maintain the balance of the ecosystem, with the message "We are protecting our blue heritage. Thanks to the Mapa Buoy System; sea grass will be protected, uncontrolled anchoring will be prevented, sea traffic will be regulated, marine tourism will become sustainable, and more fair and balanced use of bays for both marine life and people will be ensured."

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change started infrastructure work in 2024 for the Mapa-Buoy Project to protect sea grass known as the 'forests of the seas,' which produce 70% of the world's oxygen and are the most important oxygen source in the seas. The project will be implemented as a pilot in the 90,020-kilometer area of the Fethiye-Göcek Special Environmental Protection Zone Göcek-Dalaman Bays. So far, 926 sea maps and 906 buoys have been placed in 17 bays in this area. A comprehensive marine protection network that will serve 856 boats has been created.

MINISTER KURUM: FAIRER AND MORE BALANCED USE OF BAYS WILL BE ENSURED

Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum made a visual statement regarding the Mapa-Buoy Project, which is in the final stages of preparation:

We are protecting our blue heritage. Thanks to the Mapa Buoy System; sea grass will be protected, uncontrolled anchoring will be prevented, sea traffic will be regulated, marine tourism will become sustainable, and more fair and balanced use of bays for both marine life and people will be ensured.

UNCONTROLLED BOAT MOORING HABITS WILL END

The project will prevent random anchoring in the bays and thus stop physical damage to the seabed. Sea grass and sensitive marine habitats will be effectively protected, ensuring the continuity of the ecosystem balance. All activities that could cause deterioration of sea water quality will be controlled with preventive approaches. The buoys placed underwater and the system established in the bays will end uncontrolled boat mooring habits that damage the coasts. Busy sea traffic in the bays will be regulated and marine tourism will become more sustainable.

MOBILE DERIA APPLICATION IS ALSO BEING LAUNCHED

Within the scope of the Mapa-Buoy Project, the infrastructure of the DERİA web mobile application at https://deria.gov.tr has reached the final stages. During the ongoing testing phase, boat owners and users will be able to view all bays in the Göcek region on a map-based interface via the application. Besides examining suitable mooring points, they will be able to make online reservations. Users will also be able to quickly and controlled complete the mooring process themselves by scanning a QR code created through the application. QR marking operations on buoys for the application are ongoing.