Turkey fishing season opens with abundant supply and lower prices

The end of the seasonal fishing ban in Turkey has led to an abundance of seafood in markets across various regions, including Mersin, Istanbul, and Eskişehir. Increased supply has resulted in lower prices for several species; for instance, anchovies and red mullet are being sold for approximately 200 TL per kilogram, while bonito (palamut) is available for around 100 TL. In Eskişehir, bonito has emerged as a consumer favorite due to its size and affordability.

In addition to the fishing industry developments, local municipalities are providing significant financial support to citizens. The Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality distributed 47 million TL in social and educational aid to thousands of families in September. Meanwhile, the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality provided 22.5 million TL in agricultural support, including livestock, feed, and fishing equipment, to local producers.

In Rize, protests continue against a proposed cage fishing project in the Zelek Limanı area. Local fishermen and residents argue the project threatens traditional fishing grounds and could cause marine pollution. During the demonstrations, authorities used a crane to remove a vehicle parked by a political representative to allow company equipment to enter the port.