Turkey fishing season opening brings seafood abundance and lower prices

The opening of the new fishing season on September 1 has brought an abundance of seafood to Turkey, particularly in the Black Sea, Marmara, and Aegean regions. High supply levels of species such as bonito (palamut), anchovy (hamsi), and sardines have led to a noticeable decrease in retail prices in many areas.

In the Black Sea region, bonito prices have dropped to as low as 50-70 TL per unit in some markets. However, industry representatives have noted a significant price gap between the cost at the boat and the retail price at markets. In some regions, fishermen sell bonito for 30-40 TL, while consumers pay between 100-125 TL, leading to calls for measures to balance the market and cover rising fuel and operational costs.

In Izmir, the fish market has seen a surge in volume, with over 20,000 tons of fish entering the market in the first ten days of the season. Meanwhile, in Hatay, the start of the season was marked by ceremonies, though local fishermen expressed concerns regarding high fuel costs, the need for imported equipment, and a shortage of young workers entering the profession.