Cunda

Turkish Coast Guard teams have rescued 20 irregular migrants off the coast of Ayvalık district in the northwestern province of Balıkesir, after receiving reports of a drifting fiber boat in the area.

The migrants, who had been trying to reach Greece's Lesbos Island, were pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek authorities.

The Balıkesir Municipality has stated that 50,000 square meters of ghost nets have been removed from the Aegean and Marmara seas over the past three years as part of a comprehensive campaign to combat the threats posed by these nets to marine biodiversity.

Cunda Island, a natural protected area, has been declared as a "sensitive area to be strictly protected" after reevaluation of its status, according to the decision published in the Official Gazette on April 13.

A historical chapel, which is believed to be 250 years old, in the Aegean province of Balıkesir's Ayvalık district, has been destroyed by treasure hunters who took advantage of measures implemented against the coronavirus outbreak.

Cunda (Alibey) Island, which is one of the favorite tourism spots in the north Aegean region, has begun to host local and foreign tourists with its old Greek houses, many of which are boutique hotels, cobblestones, churches and the dishes of Greek and Turkish cuisine.

"I am shocked by the tourist profile coming to Cunda these days. Where do they come from? Why do they come if they aren't going to spend any money?" That is what taxi driver from a village near the idyllic Aegean town of Ayvalık told me recently.