Whale surprise off the coast of Antalya: Fishermen astonished

Four amateur fishermen who set out for tuna fishing in the early hours of the morning noticed activity in the sea as the sun rose. The fishermen, who were about 7-8 kilometers off the coast, were astonished when they saw a massive whale.

One of the fishermen, Ahmet Yeşilipek, expressed their excitement by saying, "We were fishing 7-8 kilometers off the coast. Our friend said there was movement in the sea. When we turned around, we saw a massive whale in front of us. We approached quietly and took a few shots without disturbing it. The whale disappeared after a while, and we continued our fishing."

Yeşilipek stated that this was the first time they had seen a whale in the Mediterranean, adding, "We were quite excited, surprised, and very happy. This is an indicator of life in the sea. If whales come frequently, it could also contribute to tourism. Whale watching tours could be organized with boats without disturbing them."

Last year, research conducted by the Marine Mammal Research Association (DMAD) off the coasts of Kaş and Fethiye reported that sperm whales, which can reach 20 meters in length and weigh 57 tons, had been sighted. Authorities state that the increasing whale sightings in the region could boost tourism potential.