Women fishers at the helm in the Gulf of Gökova

In Akbük, one of the small towns of the Gulf of Gökova, there are also women fishers who break the mould, such as 55-year-old Gülsiye Ölmez, who over the years has got herself accepted as a fisher rather than as crew.

Photo: SPA/RAC, Artemisia Bodrum

“My daughters have married and had children, but they still go out to sea and fish with me from time to time.”

Gülsiye Ölmez · Akbük, Gulf of Gökova

Traditional fishing

Gülsiye Ölmez from Akbük

Back then our boat was smaller than the one we have now, and we spent 3-4 days at sea without coming ashore. I could not leave my children, so I took them with me. My daughters have married and had children, but they still go out to sea and fish with me from time to time.

Gülsiye ÖlmezFisher, Akbük

For Gülsiye Ölmez, leaving all the problems on land and being at sea, feeling the wind and rejoicing in the fish that comes out of the net, is healing itself.

The Gulf of Gökova

Sea area: 827 km²
No-Fishing Area: 28 km²
Increase in fish biomass in NFAs (compared with unprotected areas, at most): 10 kat
Increase in income of Akyaka cooperative members (80% in dollar terms): %400

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