EIA process for the yacht manufacturing and dockyard project in Bodrum

Marmara Marine Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd Şti. wants to implement the "Boat/Yacht Manufacturing, Maintenance-Repair and Boatyard Project" in İçmeler location in Bodrum, Muğla. According to the environmental impact assessment report submitted by the company to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the project with a cost of 55 million 300 thousand TL will be built on island 177, parcel 17 and the sea area in front of the parcel.

Within the scope of the project, there will be a 2,262 square meter filling area and a 187 square meter slipway area on the sea side of the coastal edge line. It was stated that most of the filling area already exists, and some of it will be filled with new filling. In the file, it is stated that two 25-30 meter long boats can be produced per year, and three 10-20 meter long boats can be produced per year; It was noted that the maintenance and repair capacity could reach 50 boats per year.

'MUST BE ESPECIALLY PROTECTED'

The marine and coastal ecosystem assessment added to the EIA file drew attention to the risks that the project may pose. During diving studies carried out in May 2024, Posidonia oceanica seagrass was detected just outside the project area. For the species native to the Mediterranean, the report stated that "a meadow structure was observed just outside" the project area border. While the report emphasized that the seagrass meadows in question should be "especially protected" during construction activities, it was stated that interventions in the marine ecosystem could sometimes lead to unforeseen changes. On the other hand, no harm was seen in terms of marine fauna and flora for the project.

MIGRATION AND REPRODUCTION DETAIL

It was also noted in the file that "there is a possibility of mass fish deaths" if the bottom mud and the water column interact rapidly during the filling and dredging activities. It was recommended that studies be carried out by taking into account the migration and reproduction periods of fish, selecting periods when marine biological activity is low and monitoring oxygen levels in sea water.

The project site is also located within the Gökova Northern Coastal Important Natural Area. According to the information provided in the file, the coastal caves and islands in the region are among the important living and potential breeding areas for Mediterranean monk seals. Another point that attracted attention in the EIA file was the coastal edge line. It was stated that during the preliminary permit process, a line different from the coastal edge line approved by the governorship was taken as basis, therefore there was a difference between the permit coordinates and the approved boundaries. It was noted that the difference will be eliminated with the coordinate revision to be made at the usage permit stage.