Turkey has announced two new national marine parks in the Aegean Sea, drawing fresh attention to its longstanding dispute with Greece over maritime boundaries and rights. The parks were declared through two presidential decrees published in Turkey’s official gazette, according to a report published on August 17, 2026. One park is located in the southern Aegean between Fethiye in Mugla and Kas in Antalya, while the other is near the coasts of Tekirdag and Canakkale in the northern Aegean.

Turkey says the main purpose of the initiative is to protect the marine environment and biodiversity. However, the two neighbours have already disagreed over marine-park declarations in the Aegean. Last year, Greece announced plans for two parks around the Ionian Sea and the southern Cyclades islands. Turkey alleged that Greece was seeking to strengthen its position in disputed waters under the guise of environmental protection.

Greek media reports say Greece is also preparing to announce a new marine park in the southern Aegean, with legal proceedings underway and a possible finalization next October. Ankara says unilateral actions in areas with unresolved maritime boundaries could create new political and diplomatic tensions. It maintains that marine conservation should not undermine any country’s sovereign rights or regional stability.