The Fethiye-Kaş Marine National Park was discussed in connection with the GSI route
In the GSI project, which will establish an electricity connection between Crete and Cyprus, the issue of the route has come to the fore following the designation of the Fethiye-Kaş Marine National Park.
This article was translated automatically from Turkish. Türkçe orijinal ›
As new assessments are being conducted regarding the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project planned between Crete and Cyprus, the Fethiye-Kaş Marine National Park, announced by Turkey, has also come to the forefront in terms of the project’s maritime route.
Athens is conducting the assessment in coordination with France
According to a September 28 report by the Greece-based newspaper Kathimerini, Athens is continuing its assessments regarding the GSI project in coordination with France. The report noted that the French investment group Meridiam holds a majority stake in the project, while Nexans is also playing a role in the cable’s construction.
The national park covers 2.1 million hectares
Turkey granted national park status to the vast marine area off the coasts of Fethiye and Kaş through a Presidential Decree dated August 16, 2026. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Fethiye-Kaş Marine National Park covers a marine area of 2,170,603 hectares and is among Turkey’s first marine national parks.
Since the GSI project passes through marine areas near Turkey, there is curiosity about how the new protected status will be assessed in terms of the project’s route and marine research.
No Final Decision on Route Change
Current information does not indicate that a final decision has been made to alter the GSI route due to the Fethiye-Kaş Marine National Park. While plans are in place to resume marine research related to the project, developments regarding the route and fieldwork are expected to become clearer in the coming period.
Recent reports by Kathimerini also highlight the resumption of marine research under the GSI project and discussions regarding coordination with Turkey.
The impact of the marine national park, which covers the waters off Fethiye and Kaş, on energy projects and maritime activities in the region will be closely monitored in the coming period.
The GSI is known as a large-scale energy interconnection project aimed at linking Greece and Cyprus via a subsea cable. Sections of the project that overlap with maritime zones in the Eastern Mediterranean have long been a subject of diplomatic debate among countries in the region.
The marine national park designation requires that activities such as fishing, construction, and underwater operations in the designated area be subject to permits. The coasts of Fethiye and Kaş are home to sensitive ecosystems characterized by Posidonia seagrass meadows and Mediterranean monk seal habitats.
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