Turkish Grand National Assembly Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Commission convened

Faruk Coşkun, Chairman of the Board of Aquaculture Producers Producer Central Association, explained that they produce trout, sea bream, sea bass and salmon in aquaculture.

Stating that more than half of the fish grown is exported, Coşkun noted that approximately 60 percent of the 2,300 producers are members of their unions.

Coşkun stated that one of the most important problems is water rental periods and said that the minimum rental period should be increased to 15 years. Stating that high rental prices are another problem, Coşkun stated that the producer cannot cope with these prices.

Coşkun, who wanted measures other than fines to be taken against those who produce more than their capacity, argued that this situation negatively affects exports.

“There is a decrease in stocks”

Ramazan Özkaya, President of the Central Union of Fisheries Cooperatives, stated that there has been a decrease in stocks and the amount of fish caught for 13 years.

Pointing out that fish sizes are also shrinking, Özkaya said, “The sustainability of the sector, which supports the economy and provides employment to 250 thousand people, will be achieved with decisions that will stop the melting of stocks and ensure their recovery.” he said.

Emphasizing that it is necessary to determine how much fish a boat will catch, Özkaya said, “We definitely need to switch to quota application. Secondly, we need to switch to regional fishing. The seas have different depths and different hunting systems. A person moving from one region to another should go and fish in accordance with the decisions taken for that region.” .” said.

“We started searching with candles for the anchovies that we did not put in the safe 10 years ago.”

Barış Zaman, Deputy Chairman of the Central Union of Fisheries Cooperatives, stated that urgent measures should be taken in fisheries and said that his grandfather, his father and himself were doing this profession, and that he would not involve his children in this business because he did not see a future in it.

Stating that they cannot put anchovies, one of Turkey’s biggest food sources, in a safe, Zaman said, “We have come to the point of searching with candles for anchovies, which we did not put in a safe 10 years ago because they did not have economic value. All the alarm lights are on for anchovies. We have been talking about this for 10 years, we do not have the strength to talk about another 10 years.” “It is not a complete solution, but an anchovy quota system needs to be implemented urgently.” made his assessment.

“We missed the point”

Stating that fishermen should be supported if the quota system is implemented, Zaman said:

“We need to somehow protect the anchovy in the Black Sea. As someone who catches the fish, I want to protect the anchovy. We are in a disaster situation. We have enlarged our boats, nets and machinery. We also received support from the state, but we missed the point. I am being self-critical, the biggest responsibility here is on the fisherman.” There is a lie that says, ‘If the quota comes, citizens will not be able to eat cheap anchovies. We will not be able to find anchovies in 5 years. What will people eat?’

Explaining that the boats that will go for tuna fishing are determined by a lottery system, Zaman stated that up to 100 boats can waive the ability to catch other species for tuna fishing. Zaman noted that withdrawing so many boats would reduce the pressure on other fish.

Representatives of the Central Association of Seafood Hunters and Producers also made a presentation at the commission.