Environmentalists win legal victory against fish farming in Sığacık
İZMİR
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) report that led the way to fish farming on the shores of the western province of İzmir’s Seferihisar district has been revoked by the Council of State’s (Danıştay) 14th department.
The final decision of the Danıştay department has concluded the case in favor of the environmentalist groups, Doğan News Agency reported on March 25.
Seven years of legal struggle
The legal struggle started in 2010 between a company planning to operate a tuna aquaculture facility on the Sığacık Bay and environmentalists who stood against that plan, when the provincial department of environment and urbanization gave a positive EIA report following an application by the fish farming company.
The report was revoked by the provincial administrative court in İzmir upon a complaint filed by environmentalist groups.
However, the company then received another positive EIA report. After the second positive EIA report was revoked by the provincial administrative court in İzmir, the company applied for a third one.
The case ended up in the Danıştay after the third EIA report was revoked. Danıştay advised the local administrative court in İzmir to request an examination by the experts around the Sığacık Bay, which has attracted tourists to its natural and historical beauties.
Based on the report from the experts, the local court insisted on revoking the third EIA report and the Danıştay’s 14th department approved that decision, concluding the long legal battle.
İzmir’s Seferihisar district, famous for its long beaches and the 500-year-old historical Sığacık Castle, is among Turkey’s most prominent “slow city” centers.
Visitors enjoy buying a wide range of homemade products, including pastries and trinkets at the bazaar, set up every Sunday in the coastal Agean town of Sığacık.
A marina has also been serving tourists with sea vessels.
The ancient city of Teos is located between the Seferihisar district center and the town of Sığacık.