12.07.2026 13:20
In the Şarköy district of Tekirdağ, endangered sea daffodils have been taken under protection by the municipality after scientific assessments. The fine for picking them is 699,000 TL.
Retired hydrobiologist Levent Artüz from Istanbul University noticed and recorded sand lilies in the coastal section in front of his summer house on Cumhuriyet Mahallesi 17 Kasım Caddesi. Artüz reported the situation to Prof. Dr. Tamer Özcan, faculty member of the Botany Department at Istanbul University Faculty of Science.
In the scientific report prepared by Prof. Dr. Özcan, it was stated that a limited number of natural sand lily populations exist on the Şarköy coast. The report noted that there may be a relationship between the current system of the Sea of Marmara and the plant's distribution in the region, emphasizing that the species' presence in Şarköy is scientifically worth investigating.
The report also included the assessment that sand lilies may have established a new habitat in the region through seeds carried by sea currents, or may be part of a local population that had gone unnoticed until now. It was emphasized that interdisciplinary studies on coastal geomorphology, sea currents, population genetics, and the seeds' survival potential in seawater are important to clarify the issue.
PENALTY IS 699 THOUSAND TL
It is known that as of 2026, the penalty for picking a protected sand lily is an administrative fine of 699,245 TL.
It was stated that the habitats of sand lilies, evaluated as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are threatened by summer house development, intensive beach use, and beach cleaning with heavy machinery. It was noted that uprooting the species from its natural habitat, damaging it, or collecting it for commercial purposes is subject to administrative fines.
Following the prepared report, the area where the lilies are located was fenced off and protected by Şarköy Municipality.
PROTECTED
Retired hydrobiologist Levent Artüz stated that they identified a small population of eight sand lilies on a heavily used beach in Şarköy, saying, "We reported the situation to the municipality. The area was quickly fenced off and necessary protection measures were taken. This is a very important and pleasing finding for Şarköy."
Şarköy Mayor Alpay Var noted that after the sand lilies were identified, they notified the relevant institutions, stating, "We have protected the area. We are awaiting inspections by our institutions. As a municipality, we will continue our efforts to protect all natural values and rare plant species in our district." -