Aquaculture and fish fry production in Muğla

Muğla, Turkey, has developed into a significant hub for aquaculture and fish fry production. The region operates 23 marine hatcheries with a combined annual capacity of approximately 900 million juvenile fish, primarily sea bass and sea bream. This production meets roughly 75 percent of Turkey’s total domestic demand.

Beyond domestic supply, Muğla is a major exporter. In 2025, the region exported 33 million fish fry to international markets including Oman, Tunisia, Kuwait, Albania, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

The broader aquaculture sector in Muğla includes 342 production facilities that account for about one-third of Turkey’s total seafood production. These facilities generate approximately 180,000 tons of seafood annually, contributing an export value of roughly $750 million. Seyfettin Baydar, the Muğla Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, noted that the industry has transitioned from collecting fry from nature to a high-capacity sector driven by private investment and modern technology.