Black Sea fishing season sees abundance of bonito and anchovy

The start of the new fishing season in the Black Sea has brought an unexpected abundance of both bonito (palamut) and anchovy (hamsi). This simultaneous abundance is being described by fishermen as a “double blessing,” as these two species typically have opposing peak seasons.

In Samsun, the regional fish market is seeing high activity, with night auctions continuing until dawn. Retail prices for bonito have seen a significant decrease from 150 TL at the start of the season to between 75 and 100 TL per fish, with bulk discounts available. Anchovies are also widely available, with 20kg crates selling for approximately 2,000 TL.

In Düzce, the arrival of the first bonito of the season drew crowds of customers. Fishermen report that while the current fish are approximately 500 grams, they expect the fish to grow and become oilier in the coming period. Other seasonal fish such as horse mackerel, red mullet, and horse mackerel are also appearing on markets across the region.