Tension over fish farm in Rize: "If the ship comes out, the people will be there too"

Reactions are growing against the proposed cage-type fish farm project in Balıkçılar Village, a district of Pazar, Rize . Villagers and activists opposing the project, run by the Kuzuoğlu Group and the Günvak 1 and Günvak 2 companies, have blocked the company's plan to ship materials from Fındıklı Port.

CHP Rize Deputy Tahsin Ocaklı also supported the protests in the region. In his statement, Ocaklı stated that the company was disregarding the law, saying:

"Our people have been keeping watch in Pazar for days. Unable to remove supplies from there, they now secretly tried to ship them from Fındıklı to Pazar Port. We didn't allow that either. The company instructed its employees to abandon the ship, and it's currently empty. Our people are continuing their vigil, and we will be here day and night if necessary. If supplies are brought in from other ports, we will prevent them at sea, along with our fishermen. We are not responsible for these tensions. We are warning the authorities: If you don't take responsibility, you will be held accountable in court."

Ocaklı addressed President Erdoğan, relevant ministries, and the Rize Governor's Office, saying, "The Kuzuoğlu Group is destroying the livelihood of the fishermen. This unlawful behavior must end. We will resist until the end."