1. GENERAL INFORMATION ON FISHERY AND AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT IN TURKEY

According to national production records, total landings in Turkey were 566.933 tons in 1984. 520.431 tons were caught in marine and 46.497 tons in inland waters.

In the period 1979–1984, total production showed a 61% increase. Marine fisheries increased by 58%, while inland waters more than doubled the quantities landed.

Tab. 1     Fisheries total production in Turkey (1979 – 1984)

Some of the registered increase can be attributed to better statistics.

In 1984 the value of fish production, 566.933 tons, has been estimated at 330 billions of T.L.¹⁾, i.e. 1,8% of the Gross National Product and 9,8% of the Gross Agricultural product.

1.1 The origin of marine production

The contribution of different regions to the national marine fish production varies in importance. Most of the landings are concentrated in the East and West Black Sea (85%), while the sea of Marmara (9%), Aegean (3%), and Mediterranean show limited productions in terms of quantity.

Table 2.

Tab. 2     Distribution of seafish production among Turk Regions.

However, 300.000 tons out of 400.000 tons of fish caught in 1982 in the Black sea region are anchovies and other pelagic species. At least 100.000 tons/gear of these species are transformed into fish meal and oil.

1.2 Distribution and consumption

At the moment Turkish production easily meets the internal demand. for fish consumption even if a large percentage of the total product is usually used to produce fish meal and oil.
Some pressure has been registred in Summer due to the higher demand exerted by tourists.

Tab. 3     Catch distribution by utilization channel

Consumption of fresh and iced fish is increasing.
The percentage absorbed by this type of consumption has increased from 68% in 1880 to 74,6% in 1982.

In internal trade among different regions, on the average 55% of total production finds an extra - regional market. In general terms and apart from the landings of the Black Sea region, consumption is a function of production, e.g. in the Mediterranean Region where supplies are lower than demand, we find a much higher percentage of local production (90%) consumed there.

1.3 International trade

According to official statistics and conversations governmental level no import of sea products exists in Turkey. This can be partly explained considering that the actual demand is mot by production. Also it is true that internal prices are, in general, lower than international prices, especially when compared with those existing in France and Italy. In the latter country the corresponding prices at consumer level are 20 – 30%. 20 – 30% Exports represent a negligeable percentage of total production.

Tab. 4     Local and extralocal consumption - 1982 -

Tab. 5     Quantities and values of exports - 1980–82 -

1) 1 T.L. = US $ 0.0025