From Sea to Counter: Monitoring Anchovy Fishing
The Directorate General for Fisheries and Aquaculture, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, is making strides in the fishing sector with new regulations and production planning. Turgay Türkyılmaz, the General Director, provided insights into the developments in the fishing industry during a recent announcement.
One of the key highlights is the determination of the annual catchable anchovy amount, set at 400 thousand tons. Last year, approximately 275 thousand tons of anchovy were caught, representing 63 percent of the total hunting yield. In efforts to ensure sustainability, anchovy has been included in the production planning agenda.
Türkyılmaz emphasized the importance of sustainability and competitiveness when selecting fish species for production planning. The regulations will be reviewed annually, with necessary updates implemented accordingly. Anchovy has been given special focus in the production planning scheme, with an annual catch limit of 400 thousand tons allocated to eligible fishing vessels.
To enforce compliance with the quotas, inspections will be conducted, and landing points have been designated across Turkey. Fishing vessels must report their daily catch through the navigation system, with this information enabling traceability from hunting to sale.
In addition to anchovy, bonito fishing is also thriving this season, with more than 15 thousand tons caught since September 1. Türkyılmaz urged fishermen to adhere to the regulations, as penalties will be imposed on violators.
Overall, the fishing sector is undergoing positive developments with a focus on sustainability and compliance. With proper regulations and production planning, the industry aims to enhance competitiveness and ensure a stable supply of fish for consumers.