2.1.1 Survey of functions and operations of the principal agencies involved in the fisheries sector
At present the activities of the General Directorate of Water Products are concentrated in Ankara, and are mainly of an administrative nature.
The staff consists of 33 agricultural engineers and 1 veterinarian, of which only 8 have received some formal fisheries training under bilateral technical assistance arrangements.
In the field of fish culture, the General Directorate reviews and approves the technical content in terms of water quality, soil analysis, design of installation, etc., of projects presented by the private and public sector. However, no field inspection visits are paid to the sites.
The General Directorate also gives clearance for credit applications made to the Agricultural Bank, and for gear and equipment import exemptions.
The General Directorate did not have an annual work programme during 1973. The annual budget was about TL 9 million 1 during the 1973/74 fiscal year.
The responsibilities and operational capacity of the Fisheries Section of the Ministry of Commerce were examined in the context of the Fisheries Law No. 1380. This Ministry is responsible for the construction of wholesale markets, and the operation of those markets. The scale of charges for the use of the wholesale markets is to be determined in consultation with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production.
The Ministry of Commerce has a subcontract with the Hydrobiological Institute of the University of Istanbul (HBI) for a study of the most suitable sites for the locations of a marketing network and the general design characteristics.
The staff of the Fisheries Section of the Ministry of Commerce consists of three professionals and four office staff; however, there is not any marketing expertise available in this section.
The fisheries organization of the Meat and Fish Office (EBK) is divided between Ankara, with a secretariat staffed by two people, and the technical operations in Istanbul and Trabzon. In addition, there is the projected fisheries complex at Fatsa which is scheduled to become operational in 1976.
The Ankara office of the EBK is responsible for policy, programming, coordination, evaluation and approval of work programmes submitted by the Istanbul and Trabzon directorates. The Istanbul directorate is responsible for the Trabzon operations, and will also be responsible for the Fatsa operations. At the end of 1973 there was a total staff of 80 at Trabzon consisting of 15 technical and 65 non-technical staff including crews of fishing boats. In Istanbul there is a total staff of 60 employed in fisheries: 40 technical staff and 20 fishermen.
The EBK buys fish from the Istanbul market and markets it in Istanbul and Ankara. They also market some of the catches from their exploratory fishing operations.
They have a programme for providing low cost fish to official establishments such as hospitals, schools and the services. They plan to open three retail shops in Istanbul and two in Ankara during 1974.
The EBK had 20 fishing vessels, but have sold 13. They now wish to purchase a modern trawler and a purse-seiner. The proposal to purchase these new vessels is at present with their General Directorate in Ankara.
In 1972/73 they exported about 600 t of fish and in the 1973/74 period they have agreements to export about 1 600 t. When the Fatsa operations begin they plan to market fish throughout Turkey.
It is expected that the German bilateral technical assistance programme will provide assistance to the Fatsa project in the form of the following experts: one marketing expert, one specialist in fish meal and fish oil, one canning specialist, one specialist in freezing and cold storage, one specialist in smoking, salting and marinated products.
Although the EBK engages in these marketing functions, their operations require considerable improvement. There is a shortage of trained marketing personnel, and a fellowships and training programme is urgently required.
The EBK is planning to establish a multipurpose fish processing plant in the Mediterranean region and also one at Rumeli Feneri. The principal interest at this latter plant would be fishmeal and oil.
The creation of a long-distance fleet has been proposed by the EBK to the State Planning Office. The formation of such a fleet is foreseen in the present five-year plan, but the responsibility for its possible establishment has not been specified.
In 1960 the original Fisheries Research Section of the EBK in Istanbul was abolished, but it was partially reactivated in 1968. The work programme of this section is mainly experimental and exploratory fishing. Since 1970 they have been conducting a demersal resources survey in the Black Sea, and have obtained information on the distribution and abundance, and species composition of these stocks from four different regions. It was said that there has been a decrease in total catch of the commercial fleet since 1972, however, they do not have any corresponding data and they plan to collect these data by questionnaire at the ports.
They have also initiated a three-year trawl survey in the region from the Gulf of Saroz to Bodrum, but their initial results indicate that the productivity in this area is considerably lower than in the Black Sea. They have not done any work on mesh selectivity.
There is a considerable amount of unpublished information, and some research reports are in manuscript form.
During the period 1969–71 survey work was conducted on the mussel resources in the Çayagsi-Sinop area. In the area surveyed only four or five banks capable of commercial exploitation were found. It was estimated that on these banks there was a standing stock of about 6 000 t, which would give a potential yield of about 1 500 t. There is only a small market for mussels in Turkey, and according to European standards the meat content of the mussels is low.
In the field of gear research the Fisheries Research Section has conducted, over a period of years, experimental work with longlines, underwater lights, power block and fishpumps. They have also proposed an experimental programme with the mid-water trawl, but have not received any support for this work. The experimental work on longlining was conducted in collaboration with the Japanese bilateral programme, but the introduction of the gear was not recommended because of the low catch rates.
The professional staff of the Fisheries Research Section of the EBK consists of four biologists, three fishing gear specialists and one naval architect. They do not have an independent budget, and are working under difficult conditions.
Although the research vessels of the EBK are used by the HBI, there is little coordination and cooperation in work programmes between these two institutions.
The Fisheries Division of the State Hydraulics Works (DSI) is a division of the Department of Operations and Maintenance of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources with its headquarters in Ankara. The DSI has three fish breeding stations in operation at the Hirfanli and Kesikköprü Dams where work on breeding, stocking and culture of pike perch, carp, trout and catfish is conducted, and at the Seyhan Dam where carp (common, grass, and mirror), pike perch and catfish are kept for similar purposes. They are also planning to begin experimental work on tilapia. The Hirfanli and Kesikköprü stations mainly service water bodies in central Anatolin and the Seyhan Station those in southern and southeastern Anatolia. They are planning to establish stations at Edirne and Gölköy, and at the Almus and Keban Dams.
This agency has a five-year work programme, for the period 1973–77, and the subject matter covers limnology, fish culture, systematics, stocking and land survey. By the end of the Third Five-Year Plan it will have under its control about 240 000 ha of water bodies in which fisheries activities can be initiated, or further developed. In addition, this agency has assisted with the regulation of some 220 000 ha of natural lakes at various times.
Also 194 dam projects are under construction or in the project formulation stage that will come under its jurisdiction. It is estimated that eventually the DSI will have 1 million ha of water bodies under its control.
During the 1973–77 period there are plans to conduct limnological studies and stocking, regulation and fish culture operations in 54 dams and lakes. The DSI has completed limnological studies of eight dams and lakes and the study of a further 26 dams and lakes is now being implemented.
Seven dams have been stocked with high quality fish species on the basis of the results of their investigations and 14 dams are being stocked. In total about 1 million fish have been stocked in these water bodies and about 600 000 fish were scheduled for stocking in 1973.
The organization, staff, equipment and physical facilities of the present division are too limited for it to carry out its heavy tasks and considerable strengthening is required. It must be remarked that this unit was the best operational unit among the governmental agencies surveyed, and that it has been conducting its work with a high degree of professional competence and dedication on a restricted budget. The annual budget is about TL 2 million, but this amount does not include vehicle costs, boat costs, and the running and maintenance costs of these items. The staff assigned to this work comprises seven professionals and four administrative support personnel.
For the DSI to implement its comprehensive work programmes, technical assistance is required in setting up the facilities envisaged in their overall work programme. Expertise is required in fishing gear and methods; stock assessment; fish diseases; crayfish culture; induced spawning of grass carp and brackish water culture. There is a need for fellowships in the measurement of primary and secondary production; stock assessment; fish diseases; and tilapia and sturgeon culture.
There are four General Directorates within the Ministry of Forests, and fisheries activities in the forest areas are the responsibility of the Hunting and Fishing Section of the General Directorate of Forestry. This section was established in 1969 and the pertinent law covering these activities is Law No. 1595, art. No. 3/26 of the Ministry of Forests.
According to statistics in literature, the forest areas of Turkey cover an estimated 18 million ha in which there are approximately 300 000 ha of rivers and lakes. Man-made lakes, dams, reservoirs, etc., in the forest areas cover an estimated 150 000 ha.
It is recorded that 16 000 of the 36 000 Turkish villages are in the forest areas, and have a total population of 9 million. Unemployment in these areas is a serious problem. The development of fisheries activities in these areas could, therefore, contribute to alleviating this problem. The establishment of cooperatives to conduct fish culture in the forest areas would assist in the development of these villages since they would not only be able to benefit from fish production and marketing, but also from tourist sport fishing.
There are about 100 000 amateur fishermen in Turkey who fish without permits. It has been suggested that these amateur fishermen should be organized into clubs, and that each member should pay TL 100 for an annual permit. This would produce a revenue of about TL 10 million payable to the Ministry of Finance who would then provide funds to the Ministry of Forests to assist with the development and control work of the Fisheries Section. This would, however, require an amendment to the present fisheries law.
It should be also noted that the corollary development potential in roads, hotels, camping facilities, cabins, boats, motors, gear stores, etc., is considerable.
The Fisheries Section of the Ministry of Forests is conducting work on trout culture and the stocking of lakes, ponds and rivers in the national parks and forest areas throughout Turkey. They are beginning to develop the sport fishery in the national park areas. In future fish production ponds will be established to supply villages, hotels, etc.
The ministry has already established four trout culture stations. In 1970 a station was established in the Yedigöller National Park for the purpose of promoting sport fishing and the rearing of lake trout (Salmo trutta abanticus) was begun. Subsequently, in 1971, eggs of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri irideus) were obtained from Morocco, and it is expected that during 1974 they will have their own brood stock. In 1972 a trout culture station (Salmo trutta macrostigma) was established in the Kesikköprü Kanyon National Park. In 1973 a trout culture station (Salmo trutta macrostigma) was established in Namrun-Bahçe in southern Anatolia. There is also a trout station at Tunceli in the Munzur Valley National Park. There are other trout culture facilities in the project formulation stage at Çamlihemşin and in the Belgrad Forest.
It has been estimated that there are about 300 000 visitors per year to the Belgrad Forest, and a trout breeding station (rainbow trout) will be established there in 1974 to provide trout for stocking the reservoirs in the area. It is estimated that about 20 000 sport fishermen will use these facilities.
The professional staff of the Fisheries Section consists of three forest engineers and the annual budget is about TL 250 000. This organization is not equipped in terms of staff, budget, physical facilities and hierarchical status to fulfil successfully its responsibilities under the forestry law.
There appears to be a lack of appreciation of the importance of fisheries in the work of the Ministry of Forests, and hence the low budget assigned. This situation should be rectified considering the potential importance of fisheries activities in the forest areas. To carry out appropriate work programmes, considerable expansion of personnel is required. The professional staff should be expanded, both in Ankara and at the culture stations at Yedigöller, Beşkonak, Namrun, Ovacik, Çamlihemşin and Bahçeköy.
It is necessary to give consideration to the establishment of a General Directorate of Hunting and Fishing comprising a Department of Fishing and a Department of Hunting.
It would be desirable for the present Fisheries Section to obtain international technical assistance to advise on the development of the work programmes in: limnology, fish culture, sport fishing, fish diseases, water pollution, and stream and river survey.
It is necessary to provide further training possibilities at institutions outside Turkey, and a fellowships programme should be implemented.
The General Directorate of Soil Conservation and Irrigation (TOPRAKSU) of the Ministry of Village Affairs is responsible at present for about 200 small reservoirs and ponds with a total surface area of 600 ha. They have a hatchery under construction at their Research Institute in Ankara, which will be used to stock reservoirs in the area. They plan to raise carp, pike perch, pike and catfish. A project to raise mirror carp in ponds in the salty marshland area near Konya has been initiated, and 80 ha of ponds have been constructed.
The staff is composed of two professionals, one agricultural engineer and a zootechnician, both of whom have received training in inland fish culture. There is not a specific budget for fisheries, and the present activities are financed by the provision of about TL 20 000 from the central budget of the Research Institute.
The State Planning Office (SPO) has apparently refused to authorize the financing of fisheries projects by TOPRAKSU. Nevertheless, it is considered that useful work can be done by this small unit, and their activities should be encouraged.
Fisheries statistics are collected by the Agricultural Statistics Unit of the State Institute of Statistics (DIE). The collection and compilation of these statistics is unsatisfactory. No staff specialized in the collection of fisheries statistics are employed by this unit.
A critical analysis is required of the present fisheries statistical system and recommendations formulated and implemented on how this can be improved to meet the needs of the expanding fisheries sector.
This calls for close collaboration between a specialized statistical section proposed for establishment in the General Directorate of Water Products (Section 2.1.2) and the State Institute of Statistics. This section in the General Directorate should advise and assist the State Institute of Statistics in developing suitable systems for the collection and compilation of fisheries statistics. The work would include introducing international standard methods for reporting total catches and catches per unit of effort, and the training of fisheries inspectors in the collection of these statistics (Section 2.1.3).
The Hydrobiological Institute of the University of Istanbul (HBI) carried out a range of activities in marine and freshwater biology and general fish biology, but little applied marine fisheries work is being conducted. In 1973 their total budget was TL 13 million which was distributed approximately as follows: TL 6 million marine section, TL 4 million freshwater and TL 3 million central administration and operational costs. In 1973 the proportion assigned to freshwater activities was higher owing to the construction costs of the Lake Sapanca Station. Normally the budget distribution is in the ratio 5/7 marine and 2/7 freshwater.
The marine section is conducting limited hydroacoustic survey work on the distribution and relative abundance of the anchovy and horse mackerel. It was not possible for them to continue hydroacoustic work of the same type as that conducted in collaboration with the Marine Fishery Development Project TUR/70/540 owing to lack of certain equipment such as an oscilloscope and an integrator. The General Directorate of Water Products could provide such equipment through a joint programme. The section is also conducting work on water pollution, routine hydrographical work, experimental work on sponge and mussel culture and some limited work on demersal and pelagic fish biology.
Some work on inland fisheries and fish culture is done, and the inland fisheries station at Lake Sapanca, now under construction, could be an important development instrument when it comes into operation.
There was a large number of vacancies of the established posts, both professional and nonprofessional, which was attributed to the relatively low salaries paid by the Institute.
In common with other agencies there was little coordination of work programmes, or cooperation with other institutions working in the same fields.
A survey was made to determine the present extent and level of teaching of fisheries subjects in the Universities. At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ankara courses are given, each of eight hours per month duration, for one semester in ichthyology, inland fish culture and wildlife. The courses are compulsory and about 100 students attend, of which about 2 to 3 percent specialize eventually in fisheries by postgraduate training at Universities outside Turkey.
The Department of Animal Husbandry has about 30 students who select to take the course on inland fish culture. It is a three-month course of two hours per week plus seminars and discussion groups. The subjects include: geographical distribution of fishes and fish production in Turkey; the freshwater fishes of commercial importance; water and soil factors in inland fish culture; fish culture project planning principles; general fish biology; fish nutrition; fish diseases; and fisheries management. There is only one staff member assigned to the teaching of fish culture. However, by 1974 a separate fisheries section should be approved. In 1973 there was no specific budget for fisheries teaching. In 1974 a budget of TL 400 000 to establish laboratories for teaching purposes is available.
This department has set up experimental fish ponds on the State Farms at Çifteler, Malya and Konuklar, and has carried out some promotional work which has apparently begun to generate a growing interest in this activity among the local farmers, and also other sectors of the community.
As noted there are two neighbouring faculties giving courses on inland fish culture. To minimize duplication, preferential spheres of activity should be defined in which, perhaps, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine would give specialized courses in fish diseases and fish genetics, whereas the Department of Animal Husbandry of the Agricultural Faculty would concentrate on the general aspects of fish culture and the specialized techniques for fish culture of those species of most immediate interest in Turkey.
At the Science Faculty of Ankara University, ichthyology and systematics and general biology of both freshwater and marine fishes are taught. The course is for one semester and consists of two hours of lectures per week plus three hours laboratory. There are 40–50 students in the Department of Botany and Zoology, most of whom enter teaching or government work.
At the University of Istanbul some courses in marine science and general fish biology are taught. Similar types of teaching are carried out at the University of the Aegean.
The following Universities also have an interest in inland fish culture: University of Adana, University of Elazig (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine), Atatürk University in Erzurum.
At none of the Universities in Turkey is there a comprehensive course in fisheries science, and consideration should be given to the establishment of a Department of Fisheries in at least one of the Universities with assistance from international sources.
It has been established by decree that the Beykoz Fisheries School should be under the direction of a joint committee composed of representatives from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Village Affairs, the State Planning Office and the Hydrobiological Institute of the University of Istanbul till 1977, after which it would become the responsibility of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production. The various agencies have not agreed on the eventual authority under which the school will operate.
At present the Beykoz Fisheries School is the only fisheries high school in Turkey. It provides a three-year course for students from about 14 years of age. There is dormitory accommodation for about 340 students and a total student capacity of 500. There are 11 teachers and the staff is expected to be increased to 20 full-time teachers plus 10 part-time teachers. The school, which was opened in October 1973, provides courses in fisheries science at the high school level (fishing gear, oceanography, meteorology, navigation, seamanship, instruments, laws and regulations), fish multiplication (fishery biology, aquaculture), fish processing (chemistry of fishes, fish processing and plant machinery). Although the school is not yet fully operational, a good beginning has been made.
During the 1973/74 fiscal year an outline project proposal, including curricula, was prepared by the staff of the General Directorate of Water Products for the establishment of a Fishermen's Training School at Fatsa. The total project cost amounted to about TL 8 million for the establishment and equipping of the school. The course would last for three years and would produce 30 graduates per year. Implementation of this proposal was subsequently postponed for an undetermined period.
Considering the present state of the fisheries sector in Turkey, it would probably be better to concentrate efforts on the creation of one good school, rather than to disperse efforts over several which would not be able to operate with the required degree of efficiency. Expanded facilities at the Beykoz School could also be used to conduct courses for fishermen and fishing industry trainees in the following subjects: navigation, seamanship, handling and maintenance of fishing boat engines, fish finding techniques, improved fishing gear and methods including modern trawling and purse-seine methods. Such courses could be conducted under joint agreements between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production. Experience gained from this fisheries school can then be used to determine future requirements.
The General Directorate of Water Products could collaborate in the teaching at this school by providing occasionally the services of staff for the teaching of specific subjects such as governmental fisheries administration, the Turkish fisheries law and regulations, and the organization and operation of fisheries cooperatives.
1 US$ 1 = TL 14, as at 1.6.1974.
2.1.2 Proposals for the organization of the General Directorate of Water Products of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production
The Fisheries Law No. 1380 gives the General Directorate of Water Products the status of the leading governmental agency in the fisheries sector, and this entails heavy associated responsibilities.
An evaluation of the present operations and organizational plans of the General Directorate was made according to its functions as stipulated in this law. This analysis showed that the existing administrative and technical organization does not have the capacity to fulfil its responsibilities.
Fisheries research and development on a national scale requires a well-organized and efficient governmental infrastructure. This infrastructure should provide the capacity for planning, programming, coordinating and executing overall programmes in: resources survey and evaluation; exploratory and experimental fishing; hydroacoustics; fisheries oceanography; naval architecture; marine engineering; processing technology and quality control; marketing research; economic planning and analysis; industrial development; specialized credit; statistics and aǔtomatic data processing; inland fisheries and aquaculture; water quality; water pollution and soil analysis; extension, training and education; inspectorates; publications and information; fisheries legislation; fisheries cooperatives; and international liaison.
After extensive field surveys, proposals were formulated in consultation with the General Director of Water Products for the establishment of Regional Fisheries Directorates and Fisheries Directorates. These would execute multidisciplinary research and development activities, enforcement, control and extension activities at the following locations: Istanbul (with Fisheries Directorates at Çanakkale and Ereğli), Samsun (with Fisheries Directoractes at Sinop, Fatsa and Trabson), Izmir (with a Fisheries Directorate at Bodrum), Mersin (with a Fisheries Directorate at Iskenderun), Ankara, Eğridir, and Elaziğ (with Fisheries Directorates at Van, Kars and Erzurum).
Proposals were also made for reorganizing some of the units, and creating others in the General Directorate in Ankara. An organizational chart reflecting these proposals is shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The establishment, staffing and putting into operation of the proposed organization would allow the most effective overall operation of the General Directorate, and would provide a multidisciplinary capability for dealing with the broad array of problems associated with marine and inland fisheries exploitation and utilization.
Furthermore, the Regional Fisheries Directorates and Fisheries Directorates would have first-hand knowledge of the local conditions and requirements, and would be in a position to formulate and implement programmes and projects in accordance with the realities of local circumstances. As fisheries development proceeds it may be expected that the organizational units proposed would evolve to meet future requirements.
The outline responsibilities of the principal units proposed in the organizational chart are as follows and require to be developed in detail. The resources units should be oriented to attain the following objectives: to provide a detailed inventory of the nature, distribution and magnitude of the living aquatic resources, both marine and inland; to study the effects of fishing on the abundance and yields of these resources; to assist in the development of the hydrographic and limnological research required for the proper assessment of the resources; and to provide the scientific basis for the rational exploitation of the resources, and their management when necessary.
Through recent advances in the field of hydroacoustics, rapid and reliable estimates of stock abundance are feasible. These methods should be used in combination with longer-term studies of the dynamics of the populations under exploitation. The hydroacoustics unit should conduct such work as well as assisting with the further introduction of acoustic equipment in the fishing fleet.
All fisheries biological and environmental data should be transmitted from the Regional Fisheries Directorates and Fisheries Directorates to the biological data section of the resources evaluation and management unit in the General Directorate.
The fisheries oceanography unit would not only conduct its own programmes, but would also collect, compile and evaluate oceanographic information emanating from other agencies and universities related with fisheries research.
The unit for exploratory and experimental fishing, which is part of the Istanbul Regional Fisheries Directorate, would cooperate closely with the gear and methods units at the Inland Fisheries Directorates at Ankara, Eğridir and Elaziğ.
The naval architecture and marine engineering unit at the Istanbul Regional Fisheries Directorate would also work in cooperation with these inland fisheries gear units.
There is a need for improved boat and gear designs for the pelagic and demersal marine fisheries and for the inland fisheries. The naval architecture and marine engineering unit and the fishing gear unit would provide such designs. Governmental boat-building and fishing equipment programmes could eventually be developed in cooperation with financing agencies.
The inland fisheries resources and aquaculture units have been given an important place in the organizational chart because of the diversified economic potential of these activities.
As part of the infrastructure required for the development of aquaculture, it is important to establish as soon as possible units on fish nutrition and aquatic pathobiology, and at a later date on fish genetics to work on selective breeding for efficiency of feeding and food conversion, of disease resistance, etc.
The aquatic pathobiology unit should provide a diagnostic and preventive service for fish diseases and mortality.
Water pollution is now receiving increasing attention at both national and international levels, and is an important problem to be considered in the maintenance and development of fishery resources. The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production and the municipalities have the responsibility for water pollution control. A programme on this subject should be established for the determination of both acute and chronic toxicities of pollutants to Turkish fisheries, the determination of pesticide levels in fish flesh, physiological and histological effects of pollutants and the establishment of water quality criteria for fish. In the organizational chart there is provision for water quality, pollution and soil analysis units which would work in close cooperation with the inland fisheries and fish culture activities, and with the fisheries oceanography unit.
The economics of fisheries development programming has been greatly neglected. Three kinds of economic studies are of immediate importance to the Turkish fishing industry and to the Government for providing part of the basis for its fishery development policy. These are: studies of the extractive phase, studies of economics of the proceeding industry and studies of the handling, transport and marketing of products, both for the national and export markets. The structure of the present market limits fisheries development, and the creation of a viable marketing and distribution system is an urgent need. At present marketing is very restricted and its pattern is far removed from modern practices.
In the field of publicity and sales advertising little has been done. This lack of promotion has resulted in only a small development of market demand in population centres removed from the coast, except, perhaps, for Ankara.
The economic planning and analysis unit and the marketing and technology units would be responsible for this work.
The marketing unit would conduct all types of market research and would work in close collaboration with the fish marketing organization eventually established by the Ministry of Commerce.
The statistics and automatic data processing unit would collaborate with the State Institute of Statistics in the work outlined in Section 2.1.1, and with the automatic data processing and storage of all fisheries data.
To assist the Government in enforcing quality standards for fish and fish products, a fish inspection service should be created, and attached to the Regional Fisheries Directorates as appropriate. This service should be equipped to carry out organoleptic, chemical and bacteriological examinations of fresh and frozen fish, salted, dried, smoked and canned fish products, and with plant sanitation.
The formulation of suitable projects is a vital element in the implementation of a fisheries development plan. At the Regional Fisheries Directorates it will be necessary to establish project formulation units which would not only generate projects in their own right from the work emanating from these Directorates, but would also advise and assist the local fisheries sector in the formulation of projects to be financed from both public and private sources. These units would effect a continuous evaluation of the implementation of the projects. It will be necessary to develop appropriate standards for project evaluation. The supervision and coordination of these units would be effected by the project formulation unit in the General Directorate.
The industrial development advisory unit should be staffed basically with expertise in chemical and industrial engineering and investment analysis. It would utilize the expertise in such fields as processing technology, naval architecture, marine engineering, hydroacoustics, and fishing gear technology in these units, as required.
The credits, loans, grants and capital revolving fund unit would be responsible, in cooperation with other units, for giving technical clearance to applications presented to the Agricultural Bank, and for the management of income from water leases, when this responsibility is eventually transferred from the Ministry of Finance.
The training, education and extension unit would be responsible for all fisheries training conducted either by the General Directorate itself or in collaboration with other agencies such as the fisheries school at Beykoz. It should conduct training courses for fisheries inspectors, extension workers, fishermen and fishing industry employees, fish farmers, etc.
The extension service specialists would work directly with the fishermen to raise their level of competence through in-the-field training and extension courses. They should also work in close cooperation with the specialists in fishing gear and methods, and the cooperatives of the Ministry of Village Affairs. This system could provide training in all fisheries activities for which there is a need, for example, maintenance of boats, gear and equipment, use and maintenance of ice and storage facilities, processing, marketing and transport, and fish culture.
It is advisable that the fishery extension service should be set up as separate units within the Regional Fisheries Directorates and the Fisheries Directorates. The fishery extension workers should not be concerned with the enforcement of regulations, collection of statistics, inspection and control or with any such activities that might jeopardize their relationship with the fishermen and fishing communities.
The legal department would be responsible for the drafting of all legislation connected with the fisheries sector, the interpretation of legislation, the drafting of documents concerning loans and licences, advising on and conducting prosecutions for violations of the Fisheries Law, and giving general advice on legal matters.
Although fishing harbours are not the direct responsibility of the General Directorate of Water Products, a fishing harbours liaison unit should be established to assist with formulating the overall requirements of these harbours.
The international relations unit would be the contact and liaison point in the General Directorate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on all matters connected with fisheries. It would establish and maintain close relations with international organizations concerned with fisheries such as FAO, Unesco, OECD, IMCO, etc., and would be the channel for the receipt of all technical and other information issued by international organizations. It would also be responsible for supplying information of an international character and would assist in the implementation of technical assistance and fellowships programmes.
It is necessary to create a corps of fisheries inspectors. In the first phase of organizational development they should be stationed at all the Regional Fisheries Directorates and Fisheries Directorates as shown in Table 1b. In the second stage of development, fisheries inspectorates should be established at Hopa, Çayeli, Bulancak, Trabzon, Sürmene, Vakfikebir, Giresun, Görele, Ordu, Perşembe, Alacan, Inebolu, Iğneada, Bandirma, Ayvacik, Fethiye, Alanya, Karataş, Samandağ, Adana, Maraş, Diyarbakir, Şereflikoçhisar, Hirfanli, Beyşehir, Akşehir and Söke.
Their duties would include the collection and compilation of statistics, a channel for the issuance of licences, responsibilities for the surveillance and enforcement of laws and regulations.
In virtually all the governmental agencies connected with fisheries the library, publications and information facilities were either nonexistent, or extremely poor. As research, training and development instruments such facilities are most effective. At the General Directorate and the Regional Fisheries Directorates library, publications and information units have been included.
The full development of fisheries cooperatives in Turkey is hampered by the absence of adequate specialized governmental services. In particular these deficiencies are the lack of adequate facilities for basic cooperative education and technical assistance, lack of a specialized credit agency, and lack of a viable fish marketing organization.
Since the development of cooperatives is an important instrument in governmental policy, a fisheries cooperatives liaison unit should be established in the General Directorate to promote this development and to coordinate activities with the appropriate unit in the Ministry of Village Affairs.
For the organization proposed to function effectively, a strong administration is a prerequisite. Adequate provision has therefore been made in the organizational chart for such administrative support services, and it is essential that high calibre administrative staff are employed.
Considering the complexity of the proposed organization, it is necessary to have a radio-communications network and provision has been made for such a system in the organizational chart. Apart from increasing the efficiency of information flow, the existence of such a system does much to create a corporate sense in such a widespread organization.
The detailed planning and establishment of the units in the organization envisaged will require considerable multidisciplinary expertise which could best be provided by foreign technical assistance in the form of an institutions-building project. To set up units such as water pollution laboratories, gear workshops, fish processing laboratories, fish inspection services, etc., will require a team of experts over a period of at least two years, provided that strong governmental support is given in terms of physical facilities, equipment and personnel.
2.1.3 Fellowships and training requirements
An analysis was made to determine the foreseeable future requirements for professional expertise. Expertise is required in fields covering virtually the whole spectrum of activities in both the marine and inland fisheries sectors, and in view of the fundamental importance that this professional training has for the future development of a viable central fisheries administration, it is considered worthwhile spelling them out in detail as follows: stock assessment; marine fisheries biology; fishery hydroacoustics technology; experimental and exploratory fishing; marine engineering; naval architecture; gear technology; fish processing technology; fishmeal processing technology; fisheries statistics; fish inspection and quality control; refrigeration engineering; fish products development and improvement; fish ports administration; general marketing; marketing organizations; fish transport and storage; extension services; sponge fishery research and processing technology; fisheries cooperatives; training; inland fisheries biology; limnology; fish culture (trout, carp, pike perch, catfish, mullet, tilapia, eel, shrimp, crayfish and sturgeon); fish fry distribution; fish diseases; fish genetics; fish feed technology; fish farm supervision; water pollution; fisheries legislation; governmental fisheries administration; industrial development (with emphasis on the formulation and evaluation of projects); fish passage way construction; investment analysis; fishing port design; and sport fishing.
It will be necessary to obtain such training at research and development establishments outside Turkey. Although the implementation of such a programme requires a relatively large-scale allocation, it is within the possibilities open to the Government in its overall fellowships programme financed under both bilateral and multilateral agreements. In the future programming of any fisheries component in the Country Programme serious account should, therefore, be taken of these training requirements. In Table 1 the most pressing needs are shown. The estimated quantitative requirements are phased over a five-year period. They amount to 39 man-years.
A special course lasting about nine months should be established by a joint agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production, at the Beykoz Fisheries School for the training of fisheries inspectors prior to taking up their official appointments.
The types of subjects, at an appropriate practical level, that should be taught to the fisheries inspectors before they take up their duties at the Regional Fisheries Directorates and Fisheries Directorates throughout the country, should include: organization of the General Directorate of Water Products; general aspects of the work programmes; licensing; fisheries statistics; fisheries legislation; inspection of boats, markets, fish products, etc.; fisheries cooperatives; the identification of the commercially important fishes; molluscs and crustaceans in Turkey; characteristics of natural and synthetic materials used in the construction of fishing gear; fishing methods; general principles of fish handling and distribution; and water pollution.
2.1.4 Proposals for the establishment of preparatory operational units outside Ankara, and for the initiation of work programmes of the General Directorate of Water Products
By the end of the Third Five-Year Plan (1973–77) it has been estimated that about 100 000 t of raw material would be used for fishmeal and fish oil production.
To begin to monitor the increasing exploitation of the fish stocks which supply the raw material for this emerging industry, it was proposed that one or two staff members of the General Directorate of Water Products should be stationed at Fatsa during the fishing season from mid-September till April. The purpose of this preparatory project was to monitor the intake of raw fish and the production of fish meal and fish oil on a weekly basis, both at Fatsa and at Trabzon; to obtain as much information as possible on fishing areas, and to prepare maps showing the geographical distribution of the catches by unit areas on a monthly basis throughout the season; to identify problems in catching and processing (product quality, plant operation) and marketing, and provide in-service practical training to staff of the General Directorate of Water Products. The nucleus of the first operational unit on the Black Sea would, therefore, have been established.
A brief enquiry into the trawl fishery operating from Iskenderun was made. According to contacts with the industry, though the number of trawlers has increased considerably, there has not been a decline in either the catch per boat per month, or the total catch. The industry offered to make available for examination by the General Directorate the company records of vessel operations over a number of years, to verify the situation. Part of the catch is already exported to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. They considered that their principal problem for export marketing was fish quality, with about 80 percent of their present catch being third grade, and that big improvement in the handling of fish aboard the vessels was required.
It was proposed that further operational units of the General Directorate of Water Products should be established at Iskenderun, Mersin and Izmir, to obtain reliable information on fishing operations. To achieve this, it would be advisable to introduce a log-book system to cover the fishing operations. In addition to provisional basic data for resources evaluation, information necessary for cost-benefit analyses of fishing operations would also be obtained.
The extensive information on fishing operations available in the fishing company records would also be collected, compiled and analysed.
Reports on catch composition, total catch, catch per unit of effort, fishing grounds, vessel operations, etc., would be sent at monthly intervals to the General Directorate in Ankara.
In addition to providing this important information, these preparatory operational units would have provided in-service training, and would have established a General Directorate presence at those localities where it is expected that Regional Fisheries Directorates and Fisheries Directorates will be established in the future. However, neither of the proposals for the Black Sea nor the Mediterranean Sea were implemented.
In the 1973 budget of the General Directorate funds were provided for making a general survey of the inland fisheries situation. It was expected that this work would be carried out under a cooperative agreement with the Faculties of Agriculture and Veterinary Science at the University of Ankara, and with the Hydrobiological Institute. However, this project was not implemented during the 1973/74 fiscal year.
A preparatory programme for coastal fisheries development was also scheduled to be implemted during the 1973/74 fiscal year. This programme was to have been conducted by the General Directorate in cooperation with the Hydrobiologcal Institute. It was expected that a survey would be made on the pelagic and demersal fish resources. This programme, which was not implemented, would have offered an opportunity to purchase the acoustic equipment required to continue the hydroacoustic surveys begun during the project TUR/70/540, and which constituted an important recommendation emanating from that project.
Funds for a preparatory programme for marketing and processing, with special reference to market surveys, were included in the 1973/74 budget. This programme, which was to have been implemented in cooperation with the Universities, was not implemented.
During 1973 an outline project on the sponge fishery was prepared by the General Directorate. The project had a total cost of TL 1 500 000 which provided for the renovation and adaptation of existing physical facilities in Bodrum and the purchase of fishing gear and laboratory equipment. However, this proposal has not yet been implemented.
The following preparatory work programmes on inland fisheries, fishing gear technology, marketing, the sponge fishery, the eel fishery, and the library, information and publications service were proposed.
A proforma was prepared on which to record all the available information on the principal inland water bodies. The information requested included: dimensional characteristics of the water body; physical, chemical and biological properties; actual fish production; species composition of the catch; number of fishermen; boats and gear employed; estimates of potential production; information on stocking and transplantation; marketing and processing information; physical infrastructure facilities (piers, jetties, ice plants, cold storage, boat yards, etc.); development plans; known constraints to the realization of development potential; agencies concerned with the water body. A beginning was made on the collection and compilation of this information, which could then be used for the formulation of an integrated fisheries research and development programme.
A review should first be made of previous work in the field of fishing gear technology and comprehensive surveys require to be made of the existing gears used in Turkey. Studies should be made on the materials at present in use, and those that could be introduced as improvements should be described. A survey should be made of the Turkish fishing gear and materials industry, and a report prepared on its present status and future prospects. Such a preparatory work programme would provide the information necessary for the formulation of a comprehensive plan for the improvement of existing and the development of new fishing gear.
It was proposed that work programmes in marketing should be developed on the following subjects: studies on the present status of fish marketing in Turkey, including quantitative estimates of the temporal and spatial supply and demand; prices at the fishery wholesale and retail levels, dock, transportation and storage facilities and costs; regional characteristics of importance of fish marketing; the export of fish and fish products and the possibilities for expansion; identifying the most likely sources of composition; the divulgation of market intelligence, particularly information on prices; the formulation of a campaign for increasing fish consumption; and a study of the retail outlets in Ankara and their operation.
In 1971 about 20 000 kg of sponges valued at about TL 4 million were landed. Some 60 percent of the catch is landed in the Bodrum area. About 3 000 kg are sold in the national market and the rest is exported as unprocessed sponge.
In the organizational chart (Figure 1) it is proposed that the General Directorate of Water Products should establish a Fisheries Directorate at Bodrum which would be concerned mainly with sponge fishery research and development.
There is little scientific information available on the sponge resources. The sponge grounds have not yet been surveyed and consequently there is no reliable information on their extent and present stock density. It is believed that with proper diving equipment, operations could be extended to deeper water. As sponge production can easily be affected by pollution, a close monitoring requires to be kept on the water quality in the fishing areas and this could be achieved by utilizing the water pollution laboratory facilities at the proposed Izmir Regional Fisheries Directorate.
With the eventual establishment of a Fisheries Directorate at Bodrum, it will be possible to enforce regulations protecting the undersized sponges, and to obtain accurate statistics on the number and type of boats engaged in this fishery and their actual production.
At present the chemical method of processing sponge is not practised in Turkey. The method is simple and could be easily introduced.
A work programme on sponges with the following objectives was proposed: to determine the location, magnitude and general dynamic characteristics of the sponge resources in order to formulate a programme for their rational exploitation; to determine the most appropriate fishing gear and methods for exploiting the sponge stocks; to train fishermen in their use; and to conduct research on the handling, processing and marketing of sponges.
It was proposed that arrangements should be made for both governmental and private sector employees to visit other countries, for example, Greece and Spain, for training in sponge fishing and processing techniques. Initial enquiries indicated that such training visits could be made via bilateral contacts.
The General Directorate of Water Products should collaborate with and support the experimental work on sponge culture being developed by the HBI.
Since little information is available on the natural stocks of eels, in Turkey, it is necessary to begin research programmes leading to their proper assessment, exploitation and management and the following work programme was proposed: to carry out surveys to determine their distribution and abundance in Turkey; to make an inventory of the types of fishing gear at present in use and, if appropriate, to recommend the introduction of new gears; to make an investigation of the processing and marketing techniques and, if appropriate, to formulate recommendations for improvement; to make a detailed investigation of the export market potential; and to establish an experimental station to determine the feasibility of introducing eel culture.
The nucleus of a technical library was established by receipt from FAO of a large number of technical reports, proceedings of World Meetings and Seminars, etc. Assistance was given in preparing extensive lists of technical books for purchase by the General Directorate. The work of promoting exchange services with universities, government institutions and private concerns was begun by preparing lists of such contacts throughout the world.
It was proposed that three series of reports, which are developmental instruments in themselves, be established for disseminating the results of the future work of the General Directorate: a bilingual bulletin (Turkish-English) on the fisheries resources and their exploitation, a technical reports series (English summary), and a general publications series, which would be of a semipopular nature, directed to the fisheries sector in general.
The purpose of this reports system is to transmit information and recommendations to governmental agencies and the private sector, and by this information flow to induce development.
In the first category of reports a beginning could be made with reviews of all the existing information on both marine and inland fisheries resources together with information on the present research programmes in the implementation or formulation stages.
In the third category of reports the subject matter (with illustrations) could cover such topics as: the handling of fresh fish during distribution, fish retailing premises, types of ice, fish and sanitary standards, handling of fish aboard fishing vessels, fish boxes, fish preservation, etc.
All these preparatory programmes are either now under active consideration or in the initial stages of implementation.
2.1.5 Envisaged structure of a national organization for coordinating fisheries research and development
At present, activities in the fisheries sector are carried out to various extents by the following governmental and nongovernmental agencies: General Directorate of Water Products of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production; State Planning Office; the Fisheries Section, the Agricultural Bank and the Meat and Fish Office of the Ministry of Commerce; General Directorate of Soil Conservation and Irrigation (TOPRAKSU) of the Ministry of Village Affairs; State Hydraulics Works (DSI) of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources; Ministry of Education; Division of Hunting and Fishing of the Ministry of Forests; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Social Health and Welfare; Ministry of Communications; Ministry of Labour; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Harbours Administration of the Ministry of Public Works; Ministry of the Interior; Ministry of Customs and Monopolies; Ministry of Industry and Technology; Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK) and the State Institute of Statistics (DIE); Department of Navigation and Hydrography of the Turkish Navy; Hydrobiological Institute (HBI) of the University of Istanbul; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Ankara; Faculty of Science of the Aegean University; Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Elaziğ; University of Adana; local municipalities; fishermen's associations; fishermen's societies and fisheries cooperatives and the fishing industry.
Twenty-one governmental agencies, plus some municipalities, were identified as having interests and activities in the fisheries sector. In the private sector there are five universities, fisheries cooperatives, fishermen's unions and the industry involved.
Although the Fisheries Law No. 1380 calls for some degree of coordination in the planning, programming and execution of activities in the fisheries sector, there is at present no mechanism equipped, both in terms of technical and managerial expertise, to coordinate these activities and ensure that the country carries forward an integrated, well-balanced programme formulated and executed in its best interests. It is necessary, therefore, for the Government to establish a mechanism capable of coordinating the scientific, economic, technological, administrative and financial resources of both the public and private sectors. Such a mechanism could take the form of a National Council for Fisheries Research and Development. It is proposed that the Council should be presided over either by the Minister of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production or by a high-level executive of the State Planning Office, and that it should function through three working commissions: the Research and Development Commission, the Finance Commission, and the Fisheries Regulations Commission. These commissions would be composed of appropriate representatives from both the public and the private sectors.
The Fisheries Research and Development Commission would examine, at the national level, all programmes of fisheries research and development conducted by both the public and private sectors, entirely or partially financed from public funds, and would recommend their order of priority in the implementation of these programmes.
The Finance Commission would study, at the national level, all the financial programmes of the public sector related to fisheries and would orient their implementation and give an order of priority that will allow these programmes to be adjusted to the policy by the Government for an integral fisheries development.
The Fisheries Regulations Commission would recommend the measures that it deems appropriate for compliance with the legislation related to the fisheries sector.
It is suggested that a suitable composition of this Council might be: Chairman of the Council and one or two representatives from each of the following agencies: General Directorate of Water Products, State Planning Organization, Ministry of Commerce (Fisheries Section) and the Meat and Fish Office (EBK), Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (State Hydraulics Works - DSI), Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Village Affairs (TOPRAKSU), Agricultural Bank, Ministry of Industry and Technology, Ministry of Social Health and Welfare, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Defence (Department of Navigation and Hydrography of the Navy), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK), Ministry of Customs and Monopolies, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of the Interior, the Universities, the fisheries cooperatives and cooperative unions and the fishing industry.
The National Council for Fisheries Research and Development should meet in plenary session at least once each six months. At much times reports from each of the working commissions should be presented. The council should have the power to appoint an independent high-level Executive Secretary, and it should be given an adequate budget so that it may finance studies and engage staff, as may be necessary, to carry out its work in the most efficient manner.
In the light of experience gained during the first year, the operation of the council and its working commissions could be adjusted as required.
The recommendations of this project listed under category A are the following: to strengthen the fisheries administration and other governmental bodies associated with the fishing industry; to train research and development workers and establish training facilities for fishermen and other operatives in the industry, including marketing and distribution; to introduce a marketing programme to develop domestic markets for fresh, frozen and processed fish; to continue and improve the monitoring of pelagic stocks; and to continue monitoring the dogfish stocks.
The Government is now beginning to take action on strengthening the fisheries administration, and if the recommendations of the present small-scale project TUR/73/031 are implemented, then it will have gone a long way towards creating a governmental infrastructure which will provide it with the basic administrative and technical capability necessary to implement these recommendations, in particular, and to meet the needs of the fisheries sector in general.
A large-scale fellowships and training programme providing for 39 man-years at institutes and training establishments outside Turkey is given in Table 1, and if this is implemented together with the training of fisheries inspectors, extension workers, fishermen and fishing industry personnel at the Beykoz Fisheries School (after this has been expanded and suitably equipped), then considerable progress will have been made on implementing the training recommendations. It is expected that eventually further fisheries training schools will be established at other locations, possible at Fatsa and Eğridir.
At present, little is being done to implement the recommendations for a fish marketing and distribution system consisting of a network of fishing port terminals, inland depots and wholesale markets, and the establishment of a General Directorate of Fish Marketing in the Ministry of Commerce and the formation of a markets project working group to take care of the implementation of these recommendations have been proposed (Sections 2.4 and 3.4).
Furthermore, it is expected that the fisheries complex at Fatsa which will be established by the Meat and Fish Office in cooperation with the German bilateral technical assistance programme during 1975/76, will develop a marketing programme for fresh, frozen and processed fish. Meanwhile, the marketing section of the General Directorate of Water Products is expected to initiate market surveys for both national and export markets.
It was recommended that the fishmeal production capacity in the Black Sea region should be expanded to a total processing capacity of 1 440 t/day during the Third Five-Year Plan period. It was projected that this capacity could produce about 20 000 t of fishmeal and 5 000 t of fish oil per year by 1977. This processing capacity was to be distributed as follows: Trabzon (400 t/day); Fatsa (Demas) 240 t/day; Fatsa (EBK) 400 t/day and Sinop (400 t/day). However, the present total operational capacity is about 180 t/day.
There are projects to expand the capacity at Trabzon (EBK) by 150 t/day, and Fatsa (Demas) by 100 t/day, and new installations are planned at Fatsa (EBK) - 300 t/day, Yakakent - 150 t/day, and Bulancak - 100 t/day. These developments will provide a total processing capacity (press capacity) of 1 000 t/day.
It will become increasingly necessary to monitor the relationship between resource potential and processing capacity as the industry develops.
It is not too soon to initiate stock assessment studies on the resources (anchovy and horse mackerel) so that precise estimates of their potential yields, taking into consideration their utilization by other nations, will be available when levels of exploitation requiring management measures are reached.
At present, there appears to be no reference in the proposals for fisheries development to the possible consequences of the exploitation of the Black Sea fish stocks by other nations. For example, the U.S.S.R. alone now takes about 147 000 t of anchovy, but no account has apparently been taken of any plans that they may have for increasing their own catches. During 1971 the Turkish anchovy catch is recorded as 55 000 t.
In the long term this exploitation by other nations may prejudice the levels of catch required by the Turkish fishing industry development programmes. Considering this situation, international cooperation in the field of resources evaluation will have to develop if the exploitation of the resources is to be managed in a rational way.
The Mixed Commission for Black Sea Fisheries, which was established by convention between Bulgaria, Rumania and the U.S.S.R. in 1959, could possibly be utilized to assist in the accomplishment of this work. According to this convention the contracting parties agree to cooperate and assist one another in carrying out the rational exploitation of the fish stocks in the Black Sea. In practice, the Commission has also paid attention to other living resources, including mammals and plants. Turkey is particularly interested, at present, in the management of the dolphin fishery and also in the rehabilitation of the sturgeon fishery; both these species are under study by the member countries of the Black Sea Commission.
At the Twelfth Session of the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM), held in March 1974, a working party on resources evaluation considered the exploitation of the fisheries resources of both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The working party noted that its work was restricted by shortcomings in the quality and quantity of the data available. It would be advisable for the General Directorate of Water Products to take an active part in this working party considering the plans to increase the exploitation of the Black Sea fisheries resources. The General Directorate should take measures to obtain better data on the total catches and data on the fishing effort required to obtain these catches.
Saville (1971) noted that the available data on Turkish fisheries (both biological and catch statistics) allowed no more than the most rudimentary assessment of the current levels of exploitation of the fish stocks. The poor state of the catch sampling for length frequency (age) composition and other biological parameters was emphasized, and recommendations for immediate and widespread improvements in biological sampling, acoustic surveys, catch statistics and fisheries hydrography, particularly in view of the special hydrographic characteristics of the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara, were made.
However, virtually no progress has yet been made on this type of work, and it seems unlikely that any real progress will be made till the Regional Fisheries Directorates and Fisheries Directorates are staffed and fully operational.
During 1972 acoustic surveys were made in the southern Black Sea and the northern part of the Sea of Marmara. The results showed a standing stock of anchovy of 1 million t and the potential yield was estimated at about 300 000 t a year. The standing stock of horse mackerel was estimated at 600 000 t, and the potential yield at 60 000 t (Losse and Johannesen, 1973). However, the acoustics surveys were of very limited duration, and the potential yield estimates are rough approximations. Since this is the only work conducted on which estimates of raw material availability have been made, the importance of reactivating this hydroacoustic survey work cannot be overemphasized.
Interest in the dogfish fishery was based on the possibilities for export to Western Europe of frozen whole dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and frozen belly flaps. The Meat and Fish Office has reported that the catches have not been sufficient to meet the existing demands, and market interest has declined. Although this species is sometimes caught in considerable quantities, the catches are limited in time and space. No estimates of the potential yield of the dogfish stocks have been made. There is obviously a need to conduct a well-planned exploratory fishing programme to determine the temporal and spatial distribution and abundance of this species before any large-scale market development work is programmed.
To generate the capacity for accelerating the development of the fisheries sector, a strong input of international technical assistance in the form of personnel services is required. An estimate was made of these requirements and it amounted to 47 man-years phased over a five-year period which could be adjusted in accordance with the realities of development implementation in the fisheries sector (Table 2).
Technical assistance is required in the following fields: stock assessment; pelagic fishery biology; demersal fishery biology; hydroacoustics technology; exploratory and experimental fishing; fishing gear technology; fish processing technology; fisheries statistics; fishing industry development; fisheries extension services; sponge fishery research and processing technology; aquaculture (trout, carp, pike perch, catfish, eel, mullet, shrimp, crayfish and tilapia); fish fry distribution; fish farm supervision; fish feed technology; rehabilitation of sturgeon fisheries; and water pollution.
Since this technical assistance could be provided from both multilateral and bilateral sources, it is realistic to conclude that the provision of the total amount of personnel services is feasible. Such provision together with a fellowships training programme and the provision of large-scale infrastructure in terms of buildings, ships and equipment would make considerable headway into the fisheries problem in Turkey.
A survey was made of the present situation in terms of administration, research and development facilities of the governmental agencies, existing information, and of the general development potential of the sector. Most of the localities mentioned were visited.
In 1970 the total catch was about 13 000 t and in 1971 about 14 000 t, which is about 9 percent of the total fisheries production. Although no precise estimates have been made of the inland fisheries potential, the present production could probably be at least doubled or trebled. Production from aquaculture is only just beginning.
The long-range objectives for the inland fisheries sector should be to increase the production from the inland waters fisheries resources, to develop the potential for aquaculture, and to improve the marketing and distribution systems.
The inland water bodies may be classified as: natural lakes, lagoons, dams and artificial lakes, rivers, irrigation canals, ponds and brackish waters. The production from all these sources is less than the potential.
2.3.1 Inland fisheries
The surface area of the inland waters has been estimated by the State Hydraulics Works as follows: natural lakes 269 700 ha, dams 154 000 ha, coastal lagoons 66 200 ha, artificial lakes 700 ha, brackish waters 65 000 ha, and the total length of the rivers about 148 000 km. It has been estimated by the DSI that the average productivity of these inland waters is about 60 kg/ha. The total surface area is about 560 000 ha (excluding rivers) which would give an estimated total production of at least about 34 000 t. The production potential will, of course, increase when the projects now in formulation for further dams, reservoirs, etc., are implemented.
In addition to the above production, there is the potential production from the extensive river systems.
Another potential source of fish production is the land unsuitable for agriculture. It has been estimated by the DSI that there are about 50 000 ha of land that could be reclaimed and used for saltwater fish culture.
Furthermore, it has been estimated that there are 65 000 ha in Turkey suitable for rice-paddy field fish culture.
As an independent estimate of the development potential in the inland water bodies the following data on a number of Turkish lakes were obtained: area, mean depth, total dissolved solids, conductivity, temperature range, average water height, approximate nature of the lake, and present production.
Using the method developed by Ryder (1965) and Henderson and Welcomme (1974) to assess development potentials of inland water bodies, a morpho-edaphic index was computed, and the theoretical yields per hectare averaged about 60 kg/ha.
Although certain inland water bodies are fairly well exploited, large areas remain under-utilized. Improved methods of fishing the rivers, lakes and reservoirs may be expected to lead to an appreciable increase in production. Furthermore, management techniques such as stocking, transplantation, etc., can be used to increase the production from lakes and reservoirs.
Such work has already been done on some natural and man-made lakes by several agencies, and it is being further developed. For example, the DSI is already effecting trout, pike perch, catfish and carp stocking and transplantation in some lakes and dams.
The inland fish production can also be considerably increased by the development of a diversified fish culture industry in both fresh and brackish waters.
At present there is a virtual lack of fishing infrastructure on the lakes, dams, rivers, etc., and a fisheries engineering survey requires to be done. On the basis of this survey the requirements may be assessed and plans formulated for their provision.
There are freshwater species of relatively high economic value which have considerable potential in the national and export markets, such as trout, pike perch, catfish, bass and eels.
About 600–700 t of pike perch are already produced annually, of which about 500 t are caught in Lake Eğridir and about 100 t in Lake Marmara.
Catfish have a wide distribution and are found particularly in lakes in the Marmara region, Sakarya, Kizilirmak, Yeşilirmak, Gediz and Menderes Rivers, and in the Hirfanli, Seyhan, Kesikköprü, Kemer and Almus Dams.
Carp are found throughout most of Turkey and are relatively abundant in the dams, rivers and lakes.
According to a geographical classification developed by the Fisheries Division of the State Hydraulics Works, the country may be divided into eight geographical regions (Figure 3).
The following data have been abstracted mainly from Hasekioğlu (MS). There are six dams and five artificial lakes in the Thrace-Marmara region with a total area of about 17 000 ha and 21 natural lakes with a total surface area of 74 650 ha. The construction of a further 28 dams is in the project formulation stage. The total water surface area at present is, therefore, about 91 600 ha and has an estimated potential production of 5 000 – 6 000 t of fish.
Trout, pike perch, eel, catfish and bass are abundant in the region. Fish culture could be practised in regions such as Edirne and Ipsala. The rice fields which have an area of 25 000 ha are also, probably, suitable for fish culture.
At present the State Hydraulics Works has a project for a fish culture station in Ipsala which will be concerned with pike perch, carp, catfish, and bass. The HBI is establishing a fishery research station near Lake Sapanca which will also play an important role in the inland fisheries development work in this region.
Crayfish is caught in the lakes in the region and considering the excellent export possibilities, the feasibility of beginning crayfish culture should be investigated.
In the Aegean region there are ten natural lakes, three dams and two artificial lakes with a total surface area of 23 600 ha capable of producing about 1 500 – 2 000 t of fish. Pike perch, eel, bass and carp are abundant in this region.
It is reported that about 150 t of eel are caught annually in Lake Marmara and approximately 50 t from Lake Gala.
In 1972 the total annual production of eels from natural stocks was estimated at about 260 t, and 32 t valued at TL 958 890 were exported. At present, there are excellent commercial prospects in the increased exploitation of the natural stocks of eels for export markets.
In addition to these sources of fish production there are 15 dams in the project formulation stage, and also the Gediz and Menderes Rivers.
There are 28 natural lakes, 13 dams and 14 artificial lakes with a total surface area of 197 000 ha and with a potential fish production of 8 000 – 10 000 t in the Interior Anatolian Lakes area.
It is reported that certain problems of ecological imbalance are occurring in Lake Eğridir such as the excessive production of algae which were formerly kept under control by the herbivorous fish. The lake was stocked with pike perch in 1956. At present the pike perch and crayfish production from Lake Eğridir is frozen and exported. Fishing gear studies are required in this area. The species of commercial importance in the area are carp, grey mullet, pike perch, pike, catfish and crayfish.
A suitable marketing infrastructure requires to be developed and a wholesale market at Eğridir is being proposed to the Ministry of Commerce as part of the studies on a marketing system prepared by the HBI. The research and development work required in this area could be accomplished by the proposed Regional Fisheries Directorates of the General Directorate of Water Products at Eğridir in collaboration with the State Hydraulics Works and the Hydrobiological Institute.
It is necessary now to study the other water bodies in the region to determine the suitability of introducing pike perch, or other species of relatively high economic value.
The DSI has already carried out transplantation of pike perch and carp in the Apa, Mamasin and Ayranci dams and in Lake Çavuşçu.
In the region of Lake Eğridir there is land unsuitable for agriculture and the feasibility of establishing fish farms for carp and pike perch requires to be examined. Also there appear to be good possibilities for trout farming in this region.
In the area designated as Interior Anatolia and the western Black Sea there are 9 natural lakes, 12 dams, 24 artificial lakes with a total surface area of 41 500 ha. There are 48 projects for dams in the project formulation stage.
There is a potential fish production of at least 3 000 t from this area. The ecological conditions here are suitable for the development of trout culture, and there are already private sector trout farms in operation at Bozüyük and Akyazi.
At the Hirfanli and Kesikköprü Dams there are fish breeding stations where trout, pike perch, carp, catfish and mullet are raised for stocking the dams and lakes in the region.
The DSI and the Ministry of Forests should assist with the development of both public and private sector trout farming throughout the region in cooperation with the General Directorate of Water Products and the HBI.
In the area of southern Anatolia there are 17 natural lakes and six dams with a total surface area of about 46 700 ha, and there are ten projects for dams, either under construction or in the project formulation stage. It is estimated that at least 2 800 t of fish could be produced from existing water bodies in this area.
The principal water bodies in the region are Lakes Akyatan and Akyayan and the Seyhan Dam. Grey mullet, gilthead bream and perch are abundant in Lake Akyatan, and there are catfish in the Seyhan Dam. Pike perch have been stocked in the dam, and it is planned to introduce mirror carp.
The DSI have imported 20 000 Chinese carps for experimental purposes and plan to use them to counteract vegetation problems in the irrigation systems and as a food source.
It has been estimated that TL 4–5 million are used annually to control vegetation problems in 5 200 ha of the 10 000 ha of DSI irrigation installations, and that relatively large-scale economies could be made by the introduction of herbivorous fish.
Trout is found extensively in the region and there appear to be good possibilities for the establishment of trout farms.
There are large expanses of marshlands, and there are possibilities for the establishment of fish farms for the breeding of grass, mirror and royal carp.
In the interior of Anatolia and the eastern Black Sea region there are 13 natural lakes, 5 dams and 5 artificial lakes with a total surface area of about 9 500 ha which could produce an estimated 600 t of fish. There are also 36 dams in the project formulation stage.
There are two main areas of fish production in the region: the lagoons in the vicinity of Bafra and the Almus Dam.
Sturgeon are found in this region, and because of declining production, it is necessary to take measures for the rehabilitation of the fishery. The suitability for constructing sturgeon hatcheries on the Yeşilirmak River near the Ayvacik Dam requires to be studied.
In the eastern Black Sea and northeastern Anatolian region there are five natural lakes and one artificial lake with a total surface area of about 17 300 ha, and there are seven dams in the project formulation stage. The annual fish production potential is at least 1 000 t. Ecologically this area is very suitable for cold water fish culture. Trout are found in streams joining the sea in the vicinity of Rize and Artvin.
The southeastern Anatolian region has 17 natural lakes, 4 dams and 4 artificial lakes with a total surface area of about 460 500 ha which could produce about 5 000 t of fish. The principal water bodies in the region are Lake Van which has a relatively limited fish production potential and the Keban Dam.
The pearl mullet is the principal species found in Lake Van. Trout and carp are found in the streams and rivers entering the lake. The pearl mullet is consumed fresh and salted, and it is also used for the production of a type of caviare. Marketing is effected in Hakkâri, Malatya, Bitlis, Siirt, Ağri and Diyarbakir. Open trucks are used with the fish packed in wooden boxes without ice. There is no specialized physical infrastructure for fisheries activities around the lake. According to information provided by the HBI, the present production of pearl mullet is about 600 t and it may be possible to increase this to about 1 500 t a year.
The Keban Dam covers an area of 68 000 ha and has the potential to become an important fish production centre. However, it appears that no systematic planning has yet been done for realizing this potential. The following information was obtained from the description of the dam project.
The Pirat River has a drainage area of approximately 64 100 km2 above the dam site. The drainage area is mountainous, sparsely populated and covers an area of approximately 425 km by 150 km. The maximum and minimum water levels are 845 and 800 m respectively. The dead storage level is 750 m. The maximum surface area is 68 731 ha. The length of the dam at maximum water surface level is 125 km and the maximum width 20 km. The maximum depth is 160 m. The fish fauna at present found in the region are said to belong mainly to the families Cyprinidae and Siluridae. Trout may be a migrant species between the dam and the rivers; however, it should be noted that considerable further work remains to be done on the fish fauna of the area. Extrapolating from known production rates in other dams, the expected production from the natural stocks may be in the region of 2 000 – 4 000 t, and with suitable stocking this may be increased considerably.
The supply of marine fish to this area is minimal, and Lake Hazer and the Sürgü and Devegeçidi dams provide only relatively small amounts of freshwater fish. Eventually fish production from the Keban Dam might become an important element in the fish supply of the general region.
A fisheries research and development programme requires to be formulated and implemented to realize the fisheries potential of the Keban Dam complex. It would probably be advisable for such a programme to be carried out in three phases. The first phase would be for approximately two years and would involve an initial preparatory stage during which the essential physical facilities and equipment are obtained. This would be followed by the implementation of the fisheries biological, limnological and exploratory and experimental fishing programmes.
A second phase, which would depend on the results of the first phase, would probably involve gear and boat design, fish handling, marketing and distribution studies. If the results from the first phase merit it, then stocking programmes with suitable species would be developed. This would involve the establishment of breeding and culture facilities.
Stocking experiments and economic analysis made by the DSI have shown that production can be increased three times and the value of the production five to ten times after stocking dams with high quality species.
During the third phase, a full-scale exploitation and development programme for the introduction of tested fishing gears, the construction of appropriate boats, training of fishermen, planning, design and construction of physical infrastructure, and marketing plans would be implemented.
2.3.2 Aquaculture
A field survey was made of the fish culture activities being conducted by both the public and private sectors as a basis for further development identification work.
The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production, in collaboration with certain universities, has begun some experimental work on fish culture at a number of sites: Niğde (carp), Konuklar (carp, mullet and trout). The state farms at Ceylanpinar and Muş were visited to ascertain the possibilities for beginning experimental work on trout, carp (common, grass and silver) and on tilapia. At both state farms sites were offered by the directors for such work.
Field trips were made to the installations of the DSI at Hirfanli Dam where work on breeding, stocking and culture of pike perch, carp, trout and catfish is conducted, and to the Seyhan Dam where carp (common, grass and mirror) and pike perch are kept for similar purposes. Experimental work on the introduction of tilapia is planned.
A survey was made of the trout culture activities in the private sector located at Bozüyük, Alyazi, Gürün and Tanir.
The farm at Bozüyük should yield about 150–200 t of trout per year when in full operation. Marketing is already effected in some of the major cities.
At Akyaz, there are about 1 500 m2 of ponds, and marketing operations have also begun.
The enterprise at Gürün, which was under the control of the local municipality, has run into problems owing to lack of technical assistance in setting up the project.
At Tanir a trout culture station is under construction, financed by a cooperative of 185 members who are contributing TL 1 110 000 to the operation with the remaining TL 500 000 being obtained from the Agricultural Bank. Annual production is expected to be 120 t a year, and it will be marketed in Maraş, Elbistan and Malatya.
Most of the projects presented by the private sector to the General Directorate of Water Products for technical evaluation and approval showed expected rates of return on capital employed of between about 20 percent and 45 percent.
Fish culture in Turkey has important advantages when compared with similar activities in European countries because of the relatively low cost of man-power and fish feed, and these factors could place the incipient Turkish industry in an advantageous position. However, there is a lack of specialist personnel, and the finer points of culture techniques require to be introduced.
The fact that at all these sites organizational, management and design improvements were required, emphasized the necessity for creating as soon as possible an extension service to assist and guide this potentially important activity (Section 2.1.2).
The introduction of wide-scale fishfarming constitutes a long-range programme of research and development work. Experimental work should be followed by pilot-scale studies and, on the basis of their results, development plans formulated and implement with essential infrastructure for efficient operations and support.
A programme of this nature is usually executed in two phases, the first aimed at evolving production methods and this includes the collection and analysis of the techno-economic data required for the formulation of investment projects. The second phase is mainly oriented towards demonstration and extension work in selected localities.
Feasibility studies of small trout culture farms have been made by the State Hydraulics Works (Hasekioğlu, MS) and the Tumas Consulting Company (1972). These studies provide a detailed breakdown of capital expenditures and running costs. For a small scale (7-t) farm, about 3 000 m2 of land is required and suitable water provided at a rate of 100 l/s. About 1 000 m2 of production ponds are needed for an annual production of 7 t. Full design and construction specifications are also given in these reports.
The cost required for such a project is TL 229 000 (total fixed investment costs plus TL 150 000 working capital). These and subsequent cost figures are based on 1972 data. Such a farm would enter into full production during the third year after culture operations are initiated, and would yield a rate of return on capital employed of about 20 percent, which would rise to about 25 percent after five years of operation.
A similar study was made for a medium-sized (30-t) trout farm (1 ha total area). The fixed investment cost would be TL 667 000 and the working capital requirement would be TL 550 000. The rate of return on capital employed of such an operation could be expected to be about 30 percent. Other unpublished studies have indicated an expected rate of return to be of the order of 40 to 60 percent after the farm has entered into full production.
The possibilities for export of trout to Syria, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia should be investigated. There have already been enquiries offering TL 40/kg at the point of production; however, the potential buyers require guarantees of quantities available, and this has not yet been possible.
A techno-economic report on a 50-ha carp farm was prepared by the State Hydraulics Works. Carp (60 percent) and pike perch (40 percent) combinations can be raised together and the fish yield per hectare is increased by this combination. It was estimated that such a farm would produce 60 t of fish per year (36 t of carp and 24 t of pike perch) when in full production after 2½ years, and that the carp would sell at TL 10/kg and the pike perch at TL 20/kg. With good management these are realistic rates of production compared, for example, with rates obtained in Europe. Although these rates of production are substantial they are not necessarily maximal. The total fixed investments for such a farm were estimated at TL 2 340 000 which would cover costs of project preparation, land, construction, machinery and equipment, office equipment and miscellaneous expenditures. A working capital of TL 350 000 would be required. The rate of return on capital employed would be about 14 percent to 15 percent.
Other estimates have been made for farms (40 t annual production) producing only carp, sold at TL 8/kg, and the rate of return on capital employed is estimated at about 12 percent per annum.
There are excellent opportunities for the export of pike perch to European markets.
Carp culture is possible over wide areas in Turkey, and it could be an important source of animal protein for Anatolia where it can be sold at TL 5–6/kg at the first point of sale, and bought by the consumer for TL 10/kg. It should be marketed as near to the source of production as possible so that it is available to the population sector with a low purchasing power.
The culture of eels could become an important activity in Turkey. At first it would be oriented mainly as an export industry, but as tastes change, the tourist industry expands, and a delicatessen market is established, it may be expected that the domestic market will gradually expand. The retail price of fresh eels in Ankara in early 1974 was TL 30 each. In eel culture it is primarily feeding which determines the success of the operation, and the more animal protein supplied the greater the production of eels. It has been estimated that the feed component accounts for at least 50 percent of the cost of producing eels. Experiments in other countries have shown that the conversion ratios obtained with natural foods are less (5–15:1) than with artificial feeds (2–4:1). The question of natural and artificial feeds should be studied in Turkey where suitable raw materials are available. Since the potential for eel exports is large, it is worth while investigating the possibility of farming them. Pond culture of eels practised in Japan has shown production rates of 6 000–10 000 kg/ha. An experimental eel farm should be set up to investigate the possibility of introducing eel culture in Turkey, and a possible site for eel culture might be located in the general area of Söke. To establish and equip such an experimental station (200 ha) would cost about TL 600 000. An outline study of such a station has been prepared by the DSI.
It is stated that elvers (7–9 cm long) can be caught from about February to May when entering freshwater. However, there is little precise information, and a survey requires to be made to determine their geographic distribution, size characteristics, seasonal occurrence and abundance. Apart from their requirement in culture operations there is a strong export demand for elvers of suitable size, and during recent years the demand for elvers has been increasing. It may be that the size of the elvers in Turkey is too large to interest certain markets; however, it is necessary to conduct a survey before this question can be answered.
The possibilities for shrimp culture should be investigated and such work could be conducted by the Regional Fisheries Directorates of the General Directorate of Water Products at Izmir and Mersin. There are probably suitable sites for shrimp culture in the area of Marmaris, Büyük Menderes and in the Mersin-Antioch area, and possibly around Silifke.
The type of activities that would be undertaken in a shrimp culture development programme are experiments in intensive and semiintensive culture from juveniles to marketable size, in ponds, with different stocking ratios; experiments in fertilization of shrimp ponds; production and testing of supplemental feeds; testing of techniques for the mass rearing of larvae; evaluation of experimental results and demonstration of successful techniques.
Catfish culture is practised on a large scale, for example, in Hungary, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, and experimental work has been begun in Turkey by the DSI and the University of Elaziğ (Veterinary Faculty). The development potential of this type of culture requires to be fully investigated.
The crayfish species in Turkey is Astacus leptodactylus and it is found mainly in lakes Apolyont, Manyas, Eğridir and Iznik and in the Samsun and Çarşamba regions. Crayfish is exported by air live, deep frozen, in brine and also as cooked crayfish. At present the export demand cannot be fully met. In 1971 about 1 400 t were exported, which is about 90 percent of the annual production, mainly to France.
Some rough estimates give a total production potential of about 5 000 t distributed in the following areas: Eğridir (1 500 t), Eskişehir (1 000 t), Apolyont (1 000 t), Manyas-Samsun area (500 t), Bafra Lake (500 t), and AdapazariIznik-Sapanca (500 t).
Consideration should be given to the introduction of crayfish farming into Turkey, and a pilot-scale farm should be started, possibly in the Eğridir area.
Mullet fry appear in large quantities along the coasts of Turkey from October to January, and an experimental mullet culture programme should be developed. Consideration should be given to the introduction and modification, if necessary, of culture techniques practised in neighbouring countries such as Israel.
The basic elements for the future development of a diversified aquaculture industry in Turkey appear to be present, though considerable experimental and economic feasibility work remains to be done.
2.4.1 Wholesale markets and port terminals
Visits were made to fish markets at many localities along the entire extent of the Turkish coastline and all the markets visited were of inadequate size, overcrowded, with poor general facilities and sanitation. At present, the fish markets are administered by local municipalities, and they are in fact simple fish auction halls. Fish inspection is carried out by veterinarians employed by the municipality. A specialized fish inspection service with appropriate laboratory facilities needs to be established and should operate in close liaison with the proposed Regional Fisheries Directorates of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Animal Production.
At present there is no port in operation in Turkey specially equipped for the servicing of fishing vessels or for the unloading, handling and firsthand sale of fish. The cost of deficient vessel maintenance, idle time of boats and vehicles (the latter aggravated by the lack of cold storage, irregular landings and inadequate information), delivery charges for ice, fuel and other provisions, and various other inconveniences must all add considerably to fishing and distribution expenses.
The holding of organized markets at the ports with appropriate facilities would improve the accuracy with which prices reflect real market forces. The efficiency of these markets would increase with the concentration of vessels, landings and buyers.
The responsibility for the improvement of existing ports and the construction of new ones lies with the Ministry of Public Works which consults with other ministries, depending on the type of installation concerned, and receives requests from these ministries to prepare plans and execute works.
The circumstances of the Turkish fishing industry are such that substantial benefits may be derived from the implementation of a policy of fishing port construction and improvement together with the provision of certain facilities for servicing the vessels and handling the catches.
The limitations of the existing system of fish landings and distribution in Turkey have been detailed in reports of Schroedter (1972) and Christensen (1972) and the measures needed to improve this situation have also been given in these reports. These measures are essentially the establishment of port terminal facilities in Istanbul, Sinop, Trabzon and Fatsa with inland depots at Ankara, Kayseri, Afyon and Elaziğ. A detailed marketing distribution system was presented in these reports, and the costs of such facilities were specified (Christensen, 1972)
Although these recommendations are generally accepted, it appears that some differences exist over the selection of the sites to be developed, the range of facilities with which each should be provided, and the order of priority in which the necessary work should be carried out.
In 1973 the Ministry of Commerce commissioned the HBI to prepare a preliminary project on the location and general design characteristics of markets for both the marine and inland sector.
A report prepared by the HBI has recommended the establishment of 12 marketing facilities in nine regions for the marine fisheries sector and these facilities have been classified in three categories according to their potential throughout (Artüz, 1974). The three categories are annual throughput <1 000 t, 1 000 – 5 000 t and >5 000 t. The proposed sales area, shop area, ice-making capacity and freezing and cold storage facilities are also given. It was estimated that the facilities would be used for a minimum period of six months of the year.
In the eastern Black Sea area a port and market complex was recommended at Fatsa with an annual throughput capacity greater than 5 000 t. Facilities with throughputs up to 1 000 t a year are recommended for Giresun, Ordu and Sinop. In the western Black Sea area a second category (1 000 – 5 000 t facility) was recommended for Ereğli, and one facility of less than 1 000 t a year for Zonguldak.
A marketing facility of the largest category is required in Istanbul, and a new location needs to be found. A site at Büyükdere has been proposed; however, before any decision is taken, alternative locations should be fully investigated. For the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean areas, market complexes of the second category (1 000 – 5 000 t) were recommended at Çanakkale, Izmir, Antalya and Iskenderun, and the smaller type (up to 1 000 t) was recommended for Muğla.
An outline of the administrative regulations governing the operation of the marketing facilities to be established by the Ministry of Commerce in accordance with the Law No. 1380 was prepared by this project.
It is proposed that the use of these facilities should be given to cooperatives (40 percent), private sector (11 percent) and the Meat and Fish Office (49 percent).
The locations for inland markets have been given as Ankara, Eğridir, Bursa and Elaziğ, with the possibility of a fifth market at Kirşehir.
Although these preliminary studies have been done and the general outlines of the requirements are known, it is now necessary to proceed to the implementation stage. This should be done by the establishment of a fish marketing facilities project office in the Ministry of Commerce suitably staffed with professional expertise to conduct the detailed architectural and engineering studies required, and to obtain the decision of the Government on the financing and construction of these facilities.
The development of an appropriate marketing organization should be initiated as soon as possible so that the professional expertise required may be trained and the organizational preparations for actual marketing operations begun.
A General Directorate of Fish Marketing requires to be established in the Ministry of Commerce, and this organization should incorporate the existing fish marketing facilities of the Meat and Fish Office. It could be composed of national and export marketing divisions.
In addition to the need for international expertise in the establishment of fish marketing complexes (Table 3), there is also a need for training in all aspects of marketing and the fellowships programme specified in Section 2.1.3 and Table 2 requires to be implemented as a matter of urgency.
All this work should be coordinated with the Fatsa project of the Meat and Fish Office and there should be a continuous feedback of the experience gained in implementing this project to the overall marketing development programme.
2.4.2 Fish prices
There is very little information on fish prices available and consequently no rigorous analysis is yet possible. Opinions critical of the role of the intermediary in price determination at firsthand sale and of the levels of marketing margins, require to be tested for consistency with the actual circumstances of the trade.
Information on price statistics at the fishery wholesale and retail levels by species and individual markets requires to be collected systematically and this information would then enable an objective review of the price structure, and the evaluation of marketing margins so that the trade may be rationalized.
During 1974 the State Institute of Statistics expects to have the mean monthly prices of the most important fish species at the first point of sale at a number of fishing ports. In 1975 they plan to have also the mean monthly retail price by species in the main cities.
At present, if 100% is the base price at the point of first sale (auction hall), then the fishermen receive about 85%. The 15% outstanding is costed as 6% to the municipality for auction and other services, 6% to the fish commission agents and 3% porterage.
In fact, by comparing the price paid to the fishermen at the market for certain species with the price paid for the same species by the consumer, some commercialisation margins were found which range between 250 and 400 percent.
The implementation of the marketing network (Section 2.4.1) would concentrate the fish supply at strategic places through the creation of structures and organizations which would facilitate higher prices to the producer, and the further establishment of retail outlets by the Ministry of Commerce (EBK) where selling prices, kept within the limits of highly competitive marketing margins, would benefit the consumer.
