The Three Islands Project, which aims to restore the seabed around the Three Islands (Üçadalar) off Kemer, was presented at an event in Tekirova on 27 October. It is run by the Antalya Governorship and the Marine Life Conservation Association (Deniz Yaşamını Koruma Derneği) under the Antalya Blue Mediterranean Initiative. The partners signed a protocol in July.
At the heart of the three-year roadmap is the re-establishment of seagrass meadows. In September, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry amended its regulations to control amateur and commercial fishing in the area and declared it a protection zone. Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin said that all fishing there is now banned.
The project is modelled on work at Tavşan Island in Istanbul, where artificial reefs and habitat restoration produced results. According to local press, seagrass seedlings will be grown on land at a fisheries research facility in Beymelek, Demre, before being transplanted. The restored area will be monitored with underwater and land cameras. Field surveys have already begun.
Officials stress that the results will only become clear over the coming years. The project is also due to be presented at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya. The Three Islands were among the areas where anchoring was banned under the governorship’s circular of 19 October.
Source: Habertürk / DHA (27.10.2026), Sondakika / İHA (27.10.2026), Kemer Gözcü (28.10.2026)