Türkiye breaks record in fisheries with 1M in 2023

‘Türkiye ranks first in the world in the European seabass, meaning that Türkiye offers fish to a significant extent,’ says General Directorate of Fisheries And Aquaculture

Türkiye broke a record in fisheries with nearly 1 million tons of fish in 2023, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

“Close to 1 million tons of fish were caught last year, and this year, we have a target of over 575,000 tons of aquaculture,” the agency’s director, Mustafa Altug Atalay, told Anadolu.

Atalay said that Türkiye hosted the largest Fish Forum in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea last week in the southern city of Antalya.

Exports increased to Japan, South Korea

Over the last ten years, Turkish tuna farmers have increased their exports to Japan thrice and extended their businesses into North Africa. Industry insiders claim that South Korea and China are also experiencing a spike in demand.

In January, the harvesting of fattened bluefin tuna was well under way off the western province of Izmir, on the Aegean Sea coast. These fish are rich in fats and in high demand in Japan as they match consumers’ tastes.

Electric harpoon-wielding divers caught fish in 50-meter-wide farming pens, while cranes successfully lifted 300–600 kg of tuna.

World seas under pressure due to climate change

He noted that the world’s seas are under pressure from climate change and non-native invasive species. He said solutions to problems discussed at the forum and resulting suggestions will be presented to policymakers.

Atalay highlighted that fish production in Türkiye is carried out through fishing and aquaculture and Türkiye stands out in Europe for its capability and fishing power.

“Türkiye ranks first in the world in the European sea-bass and the silver sea-bream breeding and ranks second in trout farming, meaning that Türkiye determines the market and offers fish to a significant extent,” he said.

Atalay pointed out that Türkiye became famous for aquaculture exports since fish products are exported to over 100 countries.

“We have included fish farming within the scope of production planning, and rather than producing too much, we aim to produce exactly according to the need and in a way that will provide an optimum price policy,” he said.

“We will produce salmon, European sea-bass, silver sea-bream, and mussels,” he added.

R&D studies carried out to fight invasive species

Atalay said the research and development support in the fisheries sector is beneficial, and his ministry is carrying out studies in aquaculture and production and the fight against invasive species.

He underlined it has made efforts to prevent the spread of the silver-cheeked toadfish, an invasive species that has recently increased. “We will increase our efforts to prevent the increase in the silver-cheeked toadfish up to four times, with instructions given by Ibrahim Yumakli, minister of agriculture and forestry.”

“We will both provide economic support to fisherfolk, and we will carry out important work to reduce these species,” he added.

Source: Newsroom & AA

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