# Turkish fishing season preparations and early activity > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-fishing-season-preparations > Updated: 2026-08-28T08:33:00.000Z. Sources: 40. Developments: 8. As the September 1 opening for the Black Sea, Marmara, and Aegean seas approaches, fishing activity is increasing. Between August 15 and August 31, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry permitted small-scale fishermen to use traditional methods, resulting in bonito (palamut) reaching markets in Sinop at prices between 150 and 200 lira per unit. In Kastamonu’s Cide district, the lifting of the jigging ban on August 15 has also brought an abundance of horse mackerel (istavrit) and bonito to the shores. Preparations for the full commercial season—which follows the end of the general fishing ban that began on April 15—are nearing completion. In ports such as Trabzon, Rumeli Feneri, Zonguldak, Kocaeli, and Düzce, crews are finalizing engine repairs, deck maintenance, hull painting, and net mending. In Ordu, Trabzon, Samsun, and Sinop, fishermen are also upgrading equipment, including expanding ice machine capacities. Industry experts report high expectations for a bountiful season. Kenan Balcı, founder of the Turkey Marine Life Museum, noted that bonito, anchovy, and sardines are appearing frequently, which could benefit domestic consumption and exports. In Samsun, early bonito catches have been seen with prices ranging between 50 TL and 150 TL. Atıf Malkoç, President of the Samsun Fisheries Cooperatives Regional Union, reported an abundance of bonito, horse mackerel, and bluefish (çinekop), though he noted a decline in sales due to high temperatures and low consumer demand. The industry expects stabilization once large-scale purse seine and trawler fleets begin operations after September 1. While the Black Sea, Marmara, and Aegean seasons begin September 1, restrictions for purse seine and trawl fishing in the Mediterranean will continue until September 15. ## Claims - Climate change and rising water temperatures are negatively impacting fish stocks and migration patterns. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The frequency of fish stock fluctuations has decreased from every 4-5 years to every 2 years. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Sustainable fishing can be achieved by protecting breeding periods and managing daily catch limits. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The fishing season will begin on September 1st. (single source) - Fishermen expect an abundance of bonito (palamut) this year compared to the previous season. (single source) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry distributed 300 new fishing nets through the 'Bring Your Old Net, Take Your New Net' project. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-28: Samsun fishermen prepare for new season with abundant fish stocks Fishermen in Samsun are preparing for the September 1 season start, reporting abundant bonito and mackerel stocks despite low consumer demand and heat-related sales challenges. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsun-fishermen-prepare-for-new-season-with-abundant-fish-stocks ### 2026-08-26: Turkey fishing season to resume September 1 Turkey's fishing season resumes on September 1 in the Black Sea, Marmara, and Aegean. Fishermen anticipate an abundant palamut season, which may lead to lower consumer prices. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sinop-officials-hold-briefing-for-2026-2027-fishing-season ### 2026-08-22: Turkish fishermen prepare for new fishing season with high bluefish expectations Turkish fishermen anticipate a productive new fishing season starting September 1, with high expectations for bluefish abundance despite expert warnings regarding climate change and stock sustainability. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-fishermen-prepare-for-september-1-fishing-season ### 2026-08-20: Turkish fishermen prepare for new fishing season Turkish fishermen are preparing for the new fishing season starting September 1, with high expectations for abundant bonito and sardine catches across the Black Sea, Marmara, and Aegean regions. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/black-sea-fishermen-prepare-for-september-1-fishing-season ### 2026-08-18: Turkish fishermen prepare for September 1 fishing season Turkish fishermen are preparing for the September 1 fishing season, with high expectations for a bountiful bonito harvest in the Black and Marmara Seas following the end of the seasonal ban. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/black-sea-fishermen-prepare-for-new-fishing-season ### 2026-08-16: Black Sea fishing season sees increased activity and fish abundance Fishermen in Turkey's Black Sea region report an abundance of bonito and horse mackerel following the lifting of seasonal fishing bans, with commercial fleets preparing for the full September 1 season opening. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trabzon-fishermen-prepare-for-black-sea-fishing-season-reopening ### 2026-08-13: Turkish fishermen prepare for upcoming fishing season Turkish fishermen are preparing for the September 1 fishing season, with optimistic outlooks for bonito stocks and new government support projects providing nets and infrastructure in Akçakoca. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-fishermen-prepare-for-upcoming-fishing-season ### 2026-08-08: Samsun Fishermen Ready for September 1 Fishing Season Samsun fishermen have finished boat and net repairs, expecting a strong palamut catch as the September 1 fishing season opens after the April ban lifts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/samsun-fishermen-ready-for-september-1-fishing-season --- Cite as: Turkish fishing season preparations and early activity. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-fishing-season-preparations