[REVISION HISTORY]

Black Sea fishing season activity and regulation

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-22 09:54 UTC → 2026-10-26 09:33 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Black Sea fishing season has commenced with high levels of activity and significant catches of bonito (palamut). In early September, regional hubs like Kefken Port saw large quantities of bonito brought to shore, with prices reported at approximately 90 TL per piece. By early October, reports from Trabzon indicated a bountiful start to the ~~season. The price for~~ season, with bonito weighing nearly 1 kilogram ~~rose to approximately 125 lira~~ priced between 100 and 150 TL per unit. While bonito stocks are currently abundant and reaching optimal fat content, fishermen noted that species such as horse mackerel and whiting remain scarce, with anchovies expected to become more prevalent in approximately 1.5 months. To maintain marine biological balance and ensure long-term sustainability, authorities are enforcing strict national fishing quotas. These include a 400,000-ton quota for anchovy (hamsi), with 45,000 tons allocated to the Black Sea region, and a 40,000-ton quota for horse mackerel. As ~~of late October 2026,~~ the season ~~is being described by~~ progresses, industry experts have described the current period as one of the most abundant in the last 25 years, with some fishermen noting a level of abundance not seen in 12 years. This massive influx of bonito has led to a sharp decline in market prices across Turkey. In some regions, prices have dropped to approximately 100 TL per kilogram, while in Rize, medium-sized fish are priced at 50 TL per unit. In Kastamonu’s Cide district, prices have fallen to between 40 and 60 ~~lira due to high supply. This abundance~~ lira. In Kocaeli, fishmongers have noted that fish has ~~changed consumer behavior, with many shoppers purchasing larger quantities to stock freezers. Additionally, Izmir reported an 8 percent increase in seafood transaction volume compared~~ become one of the most affordable food options, though prices vary by species, such as bluefish at 450 TL per piece. Atıf Malkoç, President of the Union, stated that bonito is so plentiful that it is consuming other species like horse mackerel, bluefish, and even crabs. He emphasized the need to harvest the ~~previous year, reaching over 9,000~~ fish quickly to protect other marine life and urged for increased public consumption. To maintain marine biological balance, authorities continue to enforce strict national fishing quotas, including 45,000 tons ~~in September.~~ allocated to the Black Sea region for anchovy (hamsi).

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