[REVISION HISTORY]

Turkish fishing season preparations and early activity

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-27 15:00 UTC → 2026-08-28 10:19 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. There is widespread optimism for the upcoming season. Reports suggest high survival rates of bonito larvae in the Black Sea could lead to an abundant supply, potentially lowering consumer prices. Beyond palamut, expectations include anchovy and horse mackerel in the Black Sea, sardines in the Aegean, and various species in the Mediterranean. In Sinop, local authorities have held briefing sessions to ensure activities comply with sustainability regulations and maritime laws to protect aquatic resources. However, experts like Prof. Dr. Saadet Karakulak continue to warn that climate change, rising water temperatures, and overfishing create volatility in stocks, necessitating strict adherence to catch limits.

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