Muğla becomes major hub for fish fry production and export

Muğla has emerged as a major hub for fish fry production in Turkey, accounting for approximately 75% of the country's total requirement. The region operates 23 hatcheries with a combined annual production capacity of roughly 900 million fish fry.

Using modern closed-loop water systems, climate control, and photoperiod methods, these facilities enable year-round production. In 2025, Muğla exported a total of 33 million fish fry to various international markets, including Oman, Tunisia, Kuwait, Albania, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Seyfettin Baydar, Muğla Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, noted that the industry has evolved significantly since 1986. While fry were once collected from nature, the establishment of marine fish hatcheries in the 2000s, supported by private sector investment, has transformed the sector into a high-capacity industry.