Fishing season in Black Sea begins with high expectations

Turkish fishermen are gearing up for what they hope will be a bountiful season as the fishing season in the Black Sea starts on September 1, 2024, in Türkiye.

After several months of preparation, including boat maintenance and net repairs, optimism is running high, especially for the catch of bonito (palamut), horse mackerel (istavrit), and red mullet (barbunya).

Unal Karadeniz, Chairman of the Persembe Fishermen’s Cooperative in Ordu, expressed his high hopes for the upcoming fishing season in the Black Sea. “In July and August, we saw excellent signs for bonito. We expect the bonito catch to be much better than last season,” Karadeniz stated.

Fishermen struggled in 2023-2024 fishing season in Black Sea

Last year, the region’s fishing industry experienced its lowest bonito catch in 62 years, which has only fueled anticipation for a more successful season. Karadeniz also reassured consumers that with the season’s opening, they would find fish at very affordable prices, particularly bonito and horse mackerel.

Hamdi Arslan, head of the Piraziz Fisheries Cooperative, echoed this optimism. While acknowledging that some areas of the Black Sea might have fewer fish, he remained hopeful.

“We believe this season will be better than the last two to three years. The indicators we’ve observed give us hope,” Arslan said. He emphasized that favorable conditions will be crucial for a successful season, which could bring abundant and affordable fish to consumers.

Local ceremonies, abundance prayers mark start of fishing season

The opening of the fishing season across various Black Sea towns was celebrated with ceremonies that included traditional prayers for abundance. In the town of Igneada, located in Kirklareli province, a special ceremony was held where local fishermen gathered to pray for a successful and abundant season.

The event was organized by the Kirklareli Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and included speeches by local officials who wished the fishermen a safe and prosperous season.

Trabzon hosted a significant ceremony at Yoroz Harbor, attended by local officials and fishermen. Trabzon Governor Aziz Yildirim encouraged the fishermen, saying, “This season, we should be even more productive than the last, with plenty of fish caught to benefit everyone economically.” The event also featured traditional performances, reflecting the strong sense of community and hope shared by all participants.

Turkish fishing industry in Sinop ready for new season

In Sinop, a city renowned for its fishing industry, a ceremony highlighted the importance of fishing to the local economy. Sinop Governor Mustafa Ozarslan emphasized the crucial role that fishing plays in the region and urged fishermen to follow sustainable practices. “Three sides of Sinop are surrounded by water, making fishing extremely important for us. Let’s be sure to follow the rules to protect our future stocks,” Ozarslan said.

Rize’s fishermen also marked the start of the season with a traditional abundance prayer. At a ceremony in the Motorcu Balikci Barinagi, Rize Governor Ihsan Selim Baydas reminded everyone of last year’s success. “We ended last year with 22,000 tons of catch. This year, we pray for a safe and prosperous season. Let’s hope for plenty of fish, so both the fishermen and our citizens can enjoy an abundant supply,” Baydas said.

Fishermen prepare for productive season with growing optimism

Across the Black Sea region, the anticipation for this year’s fishing season is palpable. Erol Akyol, a fisherman from Trabzon, expressed his excitement: “There’s a lot of bonito out there. We’re hopeful that it’s going to be a good season. Our nets are ready for the sea.”

In Rize, Baris Zaman, Chairman of the Rize Artvin Fisheries Cooperative, shared similar expectations. “We’ve completed all our preparations and are ready for the season. This year, we expect an abundance of bonito, horse mackerel, and bluefish (lufer),” Zaman said, while noting that the hamsi (anchovy) catch might be lower due to various factors, including larger fish preying on smaller ones and changing weather conditions.

The optimism isn’t limited to the bonito catch. In Ordu and Giresun, cooperative leaders believe that consumers will benefit from both the quantity and affordability of fish this season. Fishermen are eager to begin their work, with many expressing a shared hope for a productive and profitable season.