Turkish seas witness most bountiful fishing season in years

Turkish waters have experienced an unprecedented bounty in the first half of the fishing season, marking a three-decade high, with the northern coasts proving exceptionally rich in fish diversity, according to fishermen.

Türkiye imposes a seasonal fishing ban annually from April 15 to Sept. 1 to protect fish spawning, promote marine ecosystem health and ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry.

When the ban lifts, thousands of fishermen take to the seas, contributing to an industry that remains a vital pillar of the national economy

"The Black Sea has been remarkably fruitful this year, both in terms of abundance and diversity. We haven't seen a bonito catch like this in perhaps 30 years. Even mullet, which typically appears later, showed up early this year, " fisherman Hüseyin Yılmaz said.

Another veteran of the trade added, "I've been in this sector for years. While we've had larger hauls before, the consistency and variety this season are truly remarkable."

The season began with an exceptional harvest of bonito, followed by a prolific yield of anchovies and horse mackerel. Whiting and mullet later contributed to the bountiful season, keeping the momentum strong for fishermen.

Looking ahead to the second half of the fishing season, which continues until April 15, fishermen remain optimistic. They particularly emphasize the Black Sea's superiority in yield compared to Türkiye's other maritime regions this year.

Aquaculture exports from the Eastern Black Sea region surged by 23 percent in the first 11 months of the year, generating more than $200 million, marking a significant increase on the same period last year. Russia emerged as the leading importer of Turkish seafood.

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