site.btaNew Fishing Season Starts in Turkiye

Thousands of Turkish fishermen and fishing vessels will go to sea tomorrow at dawn for the first catch in the new fishing season. It opens on September 1 for the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara and Aegean Sea, and on September 15 for the Mediterranean.

The ban on commercial fishing has been in force from 15 April.

Preparations for the new fishing season began in the summer, said a representative of the Fish and Aquatic Products Cooperative in the Istanbul district of Kartal, on the shores of the Sea of Marmara.

Experts say the periodic fishing ban helps maintain the balance of the marine ecosystem. The aim is to rebuild fish stocks and ensure the breeding of fish species.

In Turkiye, which is surrounded by four seas, fishing and fish farming are an important business, a major factor in the country's exports and a source of livelihood for millions of people.

According to official data, in the first half of this year, Turkiye exported fishery products to 103 countries worth UDF 325,706,000, up 7.74% from this time last year. Two-thirds of Turkiye's exports are to European countries.

According to statistics, the average monthly salary of a professional fisherman is around 25,700 Turkish liras (USD 963) depending on seniority, position and company. There are about 19,000 officially registered commercial fishing vessels, but it is assumed that the actual number is higher.

The opening of the new season traditionally takes place in the maritime districts at dawn on September 1 with a ritual that sends the fishermen out to sea with the wish of "Vira Bismillah" meaning “raising the anchor in the name of God”. Traditionally, the ceremony is held in the presence of ministers, mayors and company officials and others.

The Trabzon Fishermen's Cooperative is the leading one in the Black Sea region of Turkiye. It is mainly known for catching bonito and anchovy, which are the most widely caught fish in this region. Black Sea salmon also comes from this region.

The expectations are for abundant catch of anchovy, horse mackerel and mackerel at the beginning of the season, while in October, there will be more bonito, bream and sea bass.

Trabzon fishermen are pessimistic about bonito and don't expect a big catch like last season.

During the season, fresh fish occupies a major place on the Turkish menu and low prices last year made fish the preferred food of many.

"This season, we expect higher prices due to increased costs, but we hope they won't be too high, especially for smaller types of fish such as anchovy and horse mackerel, so that our people will still have the opportunity to eat fish," says Mestan Kutlu of the Yıldız Balıklık company.

According to fishermen in Istanbul's Sarayer district, prices for sea bass, Black Sea salmon and bonito will be significantly higher than last season.