Fishery Products in Türkiye
Much of the biodiversity, richness, and abundance of Türkiye is due to its surrounding and inland waters.
Its natural resources along with technological advances in recent decades have helped develop its potential in aquaculture. Seafood and freshwater fish are exported to more than 90 countries. Türkiye is a world leader in the export of trout, sea bass, and sea bream. Among the 500 aquatic species found in Türkiye are also sand mussels, clams, shrimp, octopuses, blue crabs, and escargots. Fresh fish comes from all of Türkiye’s surrounding seas. The Black Sea, however, provides a significantly higher volume, contributing around 75% of annual catches. The Black Sea anchovy, pilchard, sprat, and horse mackerel are the main species caught in this region. Currently, Türkiye produces large quantities of European sea bass, gilthead sea bream, and rainbow trout. Fish farms are spread across the country in freshwater and sea. However, the Southern Aegean coast, which provides optimum conditions for marine aquaculture, is where most sea bream and sea bass farms are located. Farmed sea bass and sea bream are exported fresh or frozen, as a whole, filleted, or frozen ready meals. Farmed rainbow trout may also be smoked. With its natural resources and technological know-how, the Turkish fishing industry and aquaculture provide this healing food to tables around the world.