4. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

In Turkey, there are 37 lagoons having a total surface of 25.000 ha of these, 26 are located along the Aegean and Mediterranean coast. Their present production can be prudently estimated in 1600 tons/year. The main species landed are mullets, eels, sea-breams and sea bass ; there are other species but inexisting data do not allow to specify them at the moment.

A more detailed analysis for Turkish lagoons is difficult since data. are partial and not reliable. Moreover data relative to six out of 26 lagoons show consistent fluctuations form year to year and yields appear well under average. (on the exception to the rule) because of the increasing interest in its development, is the Beymelek lagoon ; it has been possible to get more precise information since this lagoon has been subject to continous monitoring in the last years. During the period 1982/1983 the yield per hectare show a production of 197kg/ha and the annual production reaches 69 tons for the 255 ha extension. Also interesting is the species distribution caught. Gilthead sea bream represent 33.33% with 23 tons, eels represent 21,73%. with 15 tons, mullets 17,39 with 12 and sea bass 4,34% with 3 tons).

Annual production of all lagoons is subject to considerable fluctuations because of difficulties in managing the water exchange and in mantaining the quality of lagoon water.

Over all, the potential to expand aquaculture activities appear to be largely unused, only recently a certain interest for the development of lagoons and aquaculture production has been shown by private (1) and public agencies. Potentially positive factors, e.g

-   availability of favourable environment and abondant fry ressources.

-   internal production of fish meal

-   low salaries compared to the European standard, give rise to a certain optimism regarding the economic profitability of investments in more intensive forms of lagoons management.

Neverthless there is a need for more reliable and complete statistical data relative to the Turkish lagoon systems. Further detailed investigations have to be carried out, so as to know the effective availability of fry in nature. Over all Turkey is a self sufficient country with respect to production and consumption of fish yet, in some months, namely holdings periods, demand for high valued species is higher the effective supply and prices tend to a substantially increase. Regarding marketing of future aquacultures production it will be necessary to investigate :

1. Internal markets :

   This is an important aspect since it is not advisable to think of investments serving external markets only.

   Investments in more intensive aquaculture system need a local market since it is not wise to direct all the efforts towards external markets which are subject to consistent and independent fluctuation.

   Even if the objective of such investment is the acquisition of foreign currency the corresponding impact could be negative since the production costs are quite high and the gross margin does not allow for price fluctuations.

   The same is even more emphasized in the case of intermediary products, such as machine equipment, fish meal, fuel or energy to be imported and paid for in foreign currencies.

2. Knowledge of external marketing channels for aquaculture species and continous information on export markets

   A part from the marketing dimension the mission feels that a gradual process of intensification of the rudumentary form of lagoon culture presently practised is admissable. In this respect the same recommendation as proposed in the report on Greece (see MEDRAP Report , U. SCHMIDT and Mr. SPAGNOLO "Coastal lagoon management in Greece) would apply.

   Summarizing, the mission noted the great potential for improved lagoon management and brackish water culture in Turkey may be the most impressive in the region. However, overenthuseastic or even hasty development of large scale, sophisticated aquaculture would almost certainly by pass the interest of the present users of the ressource, i.e the small-scale fishermen and coop-members who have little opportunity to make a living from alternative sources for income and employment.

Tab. 7     Distribution of fishery products by marketing channels - 1983-

(1) e.g : Pinar-Deniz Urûnleri A.& IZMIR