End of Hunting Season on Tuesday
The hunting season is set to end on Tuesday, according to a press release from Gürpınar Fisheries Hali. In Istanbul, activities carried out during the season were shared to support sustainable fishing, combat illegal hunting, and bolster the aquaculture sector.
As of September 1 of the previous year, fishermen, along with the slogan “Vira Bismillah,” have been engaged in hunting activities. However, as of April 15, the industrial fishing season will come to a close.
Istanbul Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Parıldar, stated that there are 16,450 fishermen in Istanbul operating with 2003 licensed tezkeli vessels. These vessels range from over 30 meters to under 12 meters in length and cover a coastal area of 661 kilometers from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea.
In 2024, a total of approximately 420 thousand tons of aquaculture was produced in Turkey, with around 40 thousand tons coming from Istanbul. The aquaculture production in Gürpınar is the highest in Istanbul, with a significant increase in production and sales up to March 2024.
Support payments totaling approximately 6.8 million TL were made to 1443 small fishermen in 2024. The ministry aims to continue supporting fishermen, especially women and young fishermen, to sustain their livelihoods from the sea.
Intensive inspections have been carried out to ensure sustainability, with over 11,500 inspections conducted since the beginning of the hunting season on September 1. Criminal proceedings amounting to approximately 7.5 million pounds were applied to 124 noncompliant individuals, preventing the sale of 23.5 tons of illegal products.
Parıldar highlighted significant changes in Fisheries Law No. 1380 in 2020, leading to the confiscation of means used in illegal hunting. Since 2020, 230 ships engaged in illegal hunting have been identified and seized.
Overall, efforts are being made to promote sustainable fishing practices, combat illegal hunting, and support the aquaculture sector in Istanbul. The ministry continues to enforce regulations and provide assistance to fishermen to ensure the long-term viability of the fishing industry.
