SUPPORT FROM MUĞLA’S FISHERMAN TO EARTHQUAKE ZONES

Muğla fishermen threw their nets into the sea to help the citizens affected by the earthquake as part of the “One Heart” solidarity for Turkey. The fish caught in the campaign carried out under the coordination of Muğla Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry were put up for sale by auction. All of the income will be donated to AFAD in support of 11 provinces damaged by the earthquake.

Muğla fishermen took action for our citizens who were affected by the earthquake in Kahramanmaraş, which is described as the “disaster of the century”. As part of the solidarity campaign carried out by the Muğla Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, the fishermen who threw their nets into the sea for the victims on Wednesday, February 22, donated their income from the auction held in Bodrum and Milas today to AFAD to be used in earthquake zones. The highest bid was given for a swordfish at the auction. Three separate donors paid 50 thousand TL for fish and donated to earthquake zones. Among those who participated in the auction over the phone was the President of the Izmir Exporters’ Association.

ALL INCOME WILL BE DONATE TO AFAD

The fish caught in the campaign, in which large and small fishermen and fisheries cooperatives in our city participated, were put up for sale in two separate auctions held in Bodrum Gündoğan and Milas Güllük Fishermen’s Shelters. While a total revenue of 22 thousand 410 TL was obtained in the sale in Bodrum, 620 thousand TL was collected in the auction in Milas Güllük.

The first auction was held at Gundogan Fisherman’s Shelter at 12:00 today. The president and members of fisheries cooperatives and fishermen were also present at the auction, which was held with the participation of Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Director Barış Saylak. Muğla Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Barış Saylak stated that the earthquake disaster that deeply affected Turkey broke the hearts and said, “As a nation, we are going through difficult and painful days that cannot be expressed in words. Thousands of our people lost their lives in this earthquake. It will not be easy to heal the wounds of this disaster we live in. However, all state institutions, voluntary non-governmental organizations and all members of our nation have been mobilized since February 6, 2023. We, as Muğla Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, are trying to support this mobilization with all our personnel and all our means by starting a struggle from the first day.” he said.

Saylak stated that he was very happy with the participation of companies representing the fisheries sector and all fishermen in the campaign organized to support disaster areas in Muğla, and said, “Muğla has become one of the provinces with the highest sensitivity regarding aid. By our Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, 65 boxes of blankets, quilts, baby diapers, children’s and adult clothing, generators, medical supplies and kitchen tools were delivered to the region. A total of 5.5 tons of food materials, including 3 tons of meat, 2.5 tons of fruit and vegetables, canned food, citrus fruits and water, were prepared and shipped for our citizens in the earthquake zones. As of today, the amount of cash donations made to AFAD’s emergency accounts by producer unions and cooperatives in our province has reached 275 thousand 500 TL. A donation of 130 thousand TL was made only by the personnel of our provincial and district directorates. God bless all. Currently, 8 of our personnel are working voluntarily in the region. In the coming days, our new volunteer personnel will be sent to the region,” he said.

Saylak said that as the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, they are working to extend a helping hand to the producers in the region, and that 85 thousand 450 kg of fodder, 68 thousand 440 kg of roughage and 9 thousand 600 kg of silage were sent to 13 earthquake regions.

The second auction was held at Güllük Fisherman’s Shelter at 15:00 today. Speaking at the auction, where Milas fishermen and representatives of the aquaculture sector were present, Milas District Governor Mustafa Ünver Böke stated that Muğla’s sensitivity made them very emotional and said, “None of our citizens remained silent and indifferent to the disaster. Today, Muğla fishermen came together for a very meaningful donation under the coordination of our Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. We knew the importance of fish for human life, but today fish has a much greater meaning for us. I believe that our nation will heal its wounds together,” he said.

HELP FROM EARTHQUAKE REGIONS FROM PROVINCIAL AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY DIRECTORATE

Saylak, who stated that they will continue to extend our helping hand to earthquake regions by acting together and in solidarity, said, “Today, we are showing an example of solidarity with our fisheries cooperatives and fishermen. We made 28 sales in Bodrum and offered approximately 450 kg of fish for sale at 233 thousand 450 TL. In Milas Güllük, we earned 620 thousand liras from the auction. We will organize auctions in Marmaris and Datça in the coming days. All income from these areas will be sent to AFAD in order to meet the needs of earthquake victims. We would like to thank all our fishermen who participated and put in their effort.”