Turkey has released its official map for new marine parks in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, just days after Greece’s corresponding announcement about two national marine parks in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

According to the map, the marine park announced by Turkey in the Aegean extends beyond territorial waters west of Imbros and Tenedos, between Samothraki and Lemnos.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, the marine park explicitly excludes Kastellorizo, consistent with Turkey’s long-standing position, as it begins northeast of Rhodes and extends to the waters off the Gulf of Antalya.

UNESCO Submission & Turkish Motives

Turkish media report that these new marine parks have been submitted to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. Sources from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the update was integrated into a map developed by Ankara University’s National Research Center for Maritime Law (DEHUKAM), with input from relevant authorities. The map was officially registered with UNESCO last month.

Ankara reportedly aims to announce more designated marine areas along its coastal waters in the near future.

A Reaction to Greece’s Announcement

Turkey’s announcement had been anticipated, especially following its reaction to Greece’s recent declaration of two National Marine Parks in the Ionian Sea and the Southern Aegean (South Cyclades), covering a total of 27,500 km².

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated at the time that with these parks, “Greece will have some of the largest marine protected areas in the entire Mediterranean.”

In response, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Greece of attempting to “alter the status quo in the Aegean,” once again disputing Greek sovereignty over islands and islets. Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency had previously announced plans for similar Turkish marine zones. Greece, however, reiterated that the legal status of the Aegean is clear and indisputable.

This move marks yet another episode in the ongoing geopolitical tension between the two countries over maritime rights and territorial sovereignty in the region.