A growing dispute is unfolding in the popular tourist destination of Akyaka in Muğla Province, where ongoing construction work at the marina has left boat operators and waterfront businesses facing serious economic difficulties.
The marina, now managed by Coastal Management and Environmental Protection Inc., formerly known as MUÇEV, has become the center of criticism as excavation work continues well into the summer tourism season.
Construction Work Hits Tourism During Peak Season
Large sections of the marina area remain under excavation despite the arrival of the busy holiday season.
Business owners along Akyaka’s waterfront say the area now resembles a construction site, discouraging tourists from visiting the harbor.
Restaurant and café operators report a significant drop in customer numbers, while boat owners say access to the piers has become increasingly difficult.
Local residents also complain that they have received little information about when the construction work is expected to be completed.
Boat Operators Challenge New Management
Yakup Abdullah Yalçın, speaking on behalf of boat operators working on the Akyaka Azmak River, said the marina’s operating rights were first transferred to Coastal Management and Environmental Protection Inc. before being subcontracted to the Akyaka Sea Motor Carriers Cooperative.
According to Yalçın, the operators learned about the transfer without receiving any official notification.
He said there are approximately 32 boats operating in the area, with legal disputes now involving 22 of them.
The boat operators claim they have worked in the region for many years and depend entirely on the sea for their livelihoods, yet they were not consulted before major decisions affecting the marina were made.
They also allege they were presented with a one-sided agreement containing strict conditions.
Yalçın further claimed that their electricity connection was cut in an attempt to force them to purchase electricity from the new operator.
The operators are calling for authorities to address what they describe as unfair treatment.
Concerns Over Mooring Fees
Boat operators have also criticized the new mooring fee structure, arguing that charges are being calculated according to marina pricing rather than the area’s traditional system.
They say their permanent berthing locations are no longer guaranteed and that several contract clauses leave too much room for interpretation by the marina operator.
Waterfront Businesses Report Falling Income
The impact of the construction extends beyond the marina itself.
Restaurant and café owners along Akyaka’s waterfront say visitors are avoiding the area because of the excavation work and the difficulty of reaching businesses.
One local business owner said that although the tourism season has already begun, customers are reluctant to visit while construction continues.
As the disruption drags on, businesses say their financial losses continue to grow.
Calls for Faster Completion
Both boat operators and local business owners are urging authorities to complete the construction work as quickly as possible.
They are also calling for greater transparency regarding future operating conditions and want local residents and business owners to be included in decisions affecting the marina and the surrounding waterfront.
