W* 17 us. FISHERY RESOURCES OF TURKEY FISHERY LEAFLET 390 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE United States Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. / AW< i 7 jygj FISHERY RESOURCES OF TURKEY FISHERY LEAFLET 390 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE United States Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. y United States Department of the Interior, Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary Fish and Wildlife Service, Albert M. Day, Director Fishery Leaflet 390 Washington 25, D. C. ^^^ March 1951 FISHERY RESOURCES OF TURKEY l/ Contents Covert The Bosphorus, connecting the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara. Several species of migratory fish pass through the Bosphorus to go and spawn in the Black Sea in the spring and then return to the Sea of Marmara, and the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas in the autumn. Page Introduction 2 Prinoipal Species of Migratory Fish 4 Pelamid and Bonito 4 Mode of Fishing 4 Processing, Sale, and Consumption 8 Mackerel 15 Mode of Fishing 15 Processing, Sale, and Consumption 15 Bluefin Tuna 15 Mode of Fishing 16 Processing, Sale, and Consumption 16 Anchovy 16 Mode of Fishing 16 Processing and Sale 16 Pilchard 17 Swordf ish 17 Spanish Mackerel 17 Dolphin 17 Common Bass and Red Mullet 18 Principal Species of Freshwater Fish 18 Carp 18 Grey Mullet 18 Sturgeon 19 Wells 19 Pike 19 l/ The information in this leaflet was supplied by Mi68 Bertha Carp, American Consulate General, Istanbul, Turkey (Reports 32 and 63, dated April 7 and May 31, 1949, respectively.) Some additional data were supplied by the Branch of Commercial Fisheries, Fish and Wildlife Service. Contents (continued) Page Fish Landings la Exports 22 Fishing Vessels 22 Employment 22 Cold Storage 23 Canneries 23 Summary of Principal Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Fishing 28 Some Observations on Turkish Fishing and Suggestions for Developing the Turkish Fishing Industry 29 Introduction The coastal area of the Istanbul region is a very rich fishing ground, the most important in Turkey, although fish are caught all along the long Turkish coastline (Figure 1). This region owes its great abun- dance of fish to the seasonal migration of certain speoies of fish which pass through the Bosphorus on their way to spawn in the Black Sea in the spring and their later return to the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas in the autumn with the approach of cold weather. This passage of fish through the straits at regular intervals has, since time immemorial, made it possible to obtain an abundance of fish without much effort. The general direction followed by migratory fish in the spring is from the Aegean and Marmara Seas through the Bosphorus towards the northeast coast of the Black Sea. The Turkish fishing industry, which is centered in the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus, is but the continuation of fishing as practiced by the Greeks in this region as well as in the Golden Horn in ancient times. It is known that the Byzantines fished the bluefin tuna at the entrance of the Bosphorus. The importance given to this species is illus- trated by the fact that on certain Byzantine coins there is found a design of the bluefin tuna. With the passing of time, a certain amount of evolution naturally has ocourred in the type of fishing equipment employed. However, basically, changes have been slight. With regard to the evolution in fishing equip- ment, it is only during the last two centuries that changes have occurred, and this again, only with regard to fishing in the region of Istanbul. In the coastal regions located far from Istanbul fishing in general is practiced on a small scale for the purpose of meeting local requirements, except for certain species of fish which at certain seasons can be salted or dried in the vicinity of the fishing grounds. The slogan of Turkish fishermen until recently was "Fish, but do not lose sight of the minarets of Istanbul". This slogan, which o CO o -I I- < Z Id or z < < Ld < z Ld < CO QT 0T * Ld O I- - to to O Ld * Z I O (- < -J • 0 03 V z Ld — Ld * or X ff3K 3 a i- or Ld Ld U. Z I- o - \- to Z Ld O Z - o C3 CO z Ld >- Ld X Ld Qi I- Ld < O o z Z < Ld - or x i < 3 to 2 - or z u- < o Z or u. u. Ld Li. - o < x or o CO o ** « * « « m to to r-l CM o> to "* CM CM o CM -* to cu to 00 to CM CM r-l r-l CO o o> C- m to co O » at «•> • r-l o CO «# CO CM c- t«- to to o IS ft lO to o> » to 3 c_> co o> to CM CM •* lO oo CM LO O to a* to »* * • «• * o> lO r-t to to CM CO CM 0> oo oo to ■» oo r-t a> -. Eh CO a o n (H O P3 C5 r-J O CO CO s en I I I ID U 3 00 lO o> o o> t- en l-l OO to ^ oo o> o> r-t n at A « o> «# to CM CM CM to ■* oo CM CM to to CO o> to a t=> w u •ri a, a, n c o o a, CO •n » t. to O 0 t) J3 a 0) 10 JC -8 B -h o a r-l tj « a •H • 4> a a *-. CO l-l •» •» 1— 1 * r-l -P 3 >> to c S > u r-l O >X! X 3 © O O e »-, a a! e 3 CO 21 Exports Export sales of fresh fish on a relatively large scale for Turkey started only recently, in 1930, with Greece as the principal purchasing country. The Italian market started taking an interest in fresh fish from Turkey in 1933. Czech and German purchases began in 1938 - 39. The principal outlet for salted fish has always been Greece, followed by Rumania and Bulgaria, the last mentioned country constituting a market of secondary importance. As far as canned fish is concerned it was only during the war years that exports attained a relatively important volume. Export figures obtained from official Turkish export statistics for the years 1939, 1940, and 1942 to 1947, are shown in Figure 11. Varia- tions in amounts exported over the different years are explained by the fact that during the years preceding the war up to 1941 there was an unusual abundance of fish, while the amount of fish caught up to 1945 was fairly abundant and since 1946 a continuously increasing scarcity of fish became apparent. The sudden reduction in exports in 1945 is to be attri- buted to the loss of the German market as a result of the break in rela- tions between Turkey and that country. Fishing Vessels Fishing, with regard to vessels, is based on rowboats. As previously mentioned, motor boats serve mainly for transportation. In recent years some of the row boats have been equipped with powered motors. The estimated number of fishing vessels operating in Turkish waters are shown in Figure 12. In addition to the above enumerated fishing vessels, it is esti mated that there exist from 2300 to 2500 rowboats equipped with one or two pairs of oars, which are used by small fishermen and amateurs for fishing as well as for numerous other purposes when not needed for fishing, such as carrying small amounts of oargo, passengers, and pleasure boating. Employment It is difficult to estimate the number of workers employed in the fishing industry, since fishing does not constitute a regular occupa- tion for a great number of fishermen, who will temporarily give up fishing when there is a shortage of fish, or when they can get a better remunerated job. In the case of workers employed in the processing of fish, similar conditions prevail coupled with the fact that there exist no canning plants packing fish only. Employment in the fishing industry is estimated as follows : a) On fishing vessels, fish boats and fish traps - 25,000 - 30,000 b) On land (processing, salting, drying, packing etc.) - 8,000 - 10,000 22 to 0> 3 S 0-. 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CM M< CO t- CM CM in to en to o m CM to m in o CM © 3 a t-i ■p c o o I I o r, 3 o •r-l -P «t a •H P oo e> o Cw o >> u p o o a a) tTr-l n W od o fS r-l S -H W DUO •H ed 0 »-h ex to pj co w t> t- a> jS -p o * * I-I «J -P O Eh o l< o ■p o ■g 4 -p o ■p s o al O CD P rD (D to a © O i-l o § s P » CO o C4 CO CD -H * * * 24 Figure 12. —PRINCIPAL TYPES OF FISHING VESSELS Number Motor boats, average load 6 tons, 1C-20 h. p., 100 Diesel powered Motor boats, average load 10 tons, 30-50 h. p., 500 Diesel powered Motor boats, average load 20 tons, 80-100 h. p., 50 Diesel powered Row boats, equipped with 1.5 to 12 h. p. 400 Outboard motors Row boats, 3 pairs of oars, (5 m. long, 1.30 m. wide) 80 Row boats, 4 pairs of oars, (7 m. long, 60 1.40 m. wide) Row boats, 5 pairs of oars, (9 m. long, 250 1.50 m. wide) Row boats, 6 pairs of oars, (4 m. long, 50 1.60 m. wide) Lighters used for fishing traps (6-8 ton load, 80 9-11 m. long, 1.80-2.00 m. wide) 25 FIGURE 13. TYPE OF MOTOR BOATS USED FOR TRANSPORTATION OF FISH AND TOWING OF ROW BOATS. 26 FIGURE 14. STANDARD TYPE OF FISHING BOAT (UPPER). LIGHTER USED IN CONNECTION WITH FISH TRAPS. SOME LIGHTERS ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR PAIRS OF OARS (MIDDLE). ORDINARY ROW BOAT USED FOR FISHING AND OTHER PURPOSES (LOWER). 27 As mentioned above, according to existing legislation all fish caught must be sold by auction at the fish exchanges attached to the Ministry of Commerce. Retailers, processors, restaurants, exporters, etc. purchase their supply of fish at these fish exchanges; consequently, there are no wholesalers of fish distinct from fishermen. The number of retail shops selling fish is placed at about 400 for the whole Turkish territory. However, in addition to these retail outlets there exist a great number of street vendors, among whom are found fishermen who spend their spare time selling fish. It should be mentioned that a very large catch of fish tend6 automatically to increase the number of fish vendors of this type, usually small fishermen, who avoid the paying of the fixed exchange fees by disposing of their catch by selling it from door to door secretly. It is estimated that from 20 percent to 50 percent of the fish catch other than pelamid, bonito, and tuna is sold in prohibited traffic, i. e. without passing through the fish exchanges. Such contraband sales are most active during the summer season and relatively inactive during the wiater. Amateur fishing for fish, lobsters and other mollueks accounts for a fairly large quantity in the Istanbul area. Cold Storage Cold storage space which is either being used or might eventually be used for fish is estimated at 40,000 cubic meters, but part of this space is required and used for the storage of various foodstuffs. Canneries Existing food canneries, 7 in number, all located in the Istanbul region, have a combined estimated production capacity of 12,500 kilograms per day on a one 8-hour shift basis. These canneries are not in a position to devote their entire production oapacity to the canning of fish, inasmuch as they meet domestic requirements in various canned foods other than fish. Summary of Principal Laws and Regulations Pertaining to Fishing All fishermen are required to obtain a fisherman's permit from the provincial authorities at an annual fee of T. L. 1.00 (U. S. $0.35/). All fish oaught for commercial purposes is subject to a 12 percent tax levied on the wholesale price obtained by auction under the supervision of officials of the Ministry of National Economy. In large cities the Ministry h>s organized fish exchanges (balikhane) while in less densely populated areas government inspectors control the collection of this tax. In the case of fishing concessions obtained from the government on a rent basis pertaining to lakes the tax is considered to have been prepaid with the rent and the 12 percent tax is consequently not paid. Fishing in lakes constituting private property is subject to the 12 percent tax. Fishing ground concessions which remain unused for a period of three 28 consecutive years revert to the state. However, in instances where mili- tary exigencies or a state of war have caused utilization to be discon- tinued the concession is retained by the concessionaire. The use of explosives, chemicals and other means of fishing which would destroy fish or fish spawn or would have a detrimental effect on the health of consumers is prohibited. The damming of rivers or streams and the changing of direc- tion of same is prohibited by law. Trawl fishing is prohibited in the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. Some Observations on Turkish Fishing and Suggestions for Developing the Turkish Fishing Industry As will be understood from the foregoing, fishing in Turkey has not as yet reached a level where the term fishing industry can be employed. Turkish fishermen continue employing antiquated methods with regard to fishing, while the very limited and inadequate conservation and canning facilities constitute a constant handicap to the development of this industry. With the exception of the use of motor boats for towing fish- ing boats manned by rowers with the purpose of hauling or catching up with fish, and the transportation of fish caught to the wholesale fish markets, no fishing vessels equipped with modern facilities are employed. It should be observed that the use of motor boats does not imply that fishermen operate at great distances from their point of departure. Trips of any duration are impossible inasmuch as the boats employed are such as not to allow fishermen to remain away from the shore for long periods of time or overnight. Consequently, fishermen in every given region find themselves obliged to await the passage of fish from the vicinity within which they are able to operate with their limited facilities and equipment. By employing modern fishing vessels and equipment, it would be possible to go out and meet the fish and to have much longer fishing seasons for each species of migratory fish. With regard to satisfactory fishing traps, the relatively large type, 110 fathoms long by 30 fathoms wide constitute barely 10 percent of the total in existence and the balance is of about half this size. These small size fish traps are considered to be most unsatisfactory by the few experienced fishing people in Turkey. The extremely conservative attitude of the bulk of fishermen has constituted the main handicap to the adoption of the larger type fish trap. It should, however, be pointed out that the problem regarding the development of a fishing industry can not be resolved by increasing the catch only. As a matter of fact there have often been years or seasons when fish was so abundant that even with the available primitive means of fishing very large quantities of fish have been caught and have then had to be destroyed after fishermen had despaired of selling them. To avoid having to resort to destroying fish as often happens, at times when the flow of fish persists for long periods of time, fishermen decided to fish only every other day. The only measures taken up to the present time with regard to developing a fishing industry have been the reduction of sales tax on fish, 29 which up to 1926 amounted to as much as 24 percent to 12 percent and the establishment in 1930 of an Institute of Ichthyology in the Istanbul area by the government. This last measure, however, was not much of a success. Specialists from Germany, Great Britain, and Estonia, who were brought to Turkey in this connection studied currents and carried on certain icthyo- logical experiments; however, the results obtained by the Institute not having justified the expenses incurred, the Institute was closed in 1937 and no activity along this line has since taken place. Certain indications of activity with regard to developing the Turkish fish industry are now becoming apparent on the part of private industry through the Fishermen's Association. This organization is basically a sort of union which has as its purpose to safeguard the interests of fishing and fishermen and to make known to the authorities the views and problems of fishermen and the fishing industry. The associa- tion is also accumulating a fund by collecting 1 percent of the counter value of sales of fish at the fish exchange. The purpose of this fund is to serve in assisting fishermen in cases of loans or poverty. The Association at the same time serves as arbitrator in case of differences between fishermen. Recently the Association decided to send four of its members to Italy and the United States so that they could observe fishing methods and modern facilities employed in those countries* The Ministry of Commerce, however, having informed the Association that a specialist from the United States was to come to Turkey shortly, it was decided to await his arrival. It is estimated that the yield from fishing would be increased tenfold by the adoption of the following measures: (1) The adoption of modern fishing methods. Motor powered fishing vessels suited to the catching of various kinds of fish must be made available to fishermen. Modern facilities should be adopted to eliminate use of manpower in hauling nets, loading and unloading fish, etc. Satisfactory fishing vessels should be enlarged and modernized and be installed at much greater distances from the shore than they are at present at places where it is known that fish will pass at given periods. Thus fishermen would cease being reduced to relying on catching only a small portion of migrating fish which may pass close to the shore. (2) Ensuring fish caught will reach consumers or exporters in a satisfactory state of preservation. For this purpose it would be neces- sary that fishermen acquire vessels with refrigerated storage space which will enable them to transport the fish caught to places of consumption, processing or export in good condition. (3) Freezing of fish. Modern refrigeration and freezing facilities are essential. Existing facilities of this type are limited and oompletely insufficient with regard to meeting requirements even at the present rate of fishing. The same applies to canning installations. 30 The fresh fish export trade should dispose of non-refrigerated vessels, and acquire vessels equipped with freezing or refrigeration installations of capacities varying between 15 and 150 tons for exporta- tion of fresh fish to nearby countries. It is believed that it would be to the interest of the Turkish economy to install plants for the processing of fish waste into fish meal and for the extraction of fish oils. At present there exists only one fairly modern plant of this type which was installed by the Germans during the war in Istanbul. The plant has a daily processing capacity of 25 tons of fish waste and can produce according to season 8 percent to 12 percent fish oil, and 20 percent to 22 percent fish meal, which contains 60 percent to 65 percent protein. Interior — Duplicating Section, Washington, D. C. 31 MBL WHOI Library - Serials 5 WHSE 00588