Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli stated that they expect aquatic products exports to approach $2 billion by the end of the year.
In his statement on the occasion of November 21, World Fisheries Day, Yumakli expressed his “get well soon” wishes to the fishermen affected by the storm and downpour.
Yumakli stated that they will continue to support the fishing industry while protecting aquatic assets in the sea within the framework of sustainability principles. In this context, he underlined that in the last 20 years, they have provided ₺17.9 billion of Special Consumption Tax discounted fuel support to fishermen, ₺12.6 billion of aquaculture support, and ₺341.9 million of small-scale fishing support.
Yumakli stated that a total of ₺30.8 billion was paid in this context and reminded that Turkiye’s aquatic products exports reached $1.7 billion in 2022. Yumakli continued as follows:
“We expect aquaculture exports to approach $2 billion by the end of 2023. Turkish fishermen fish in international waters from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, with agreements signed to utilize their capacity. Our fishermen catch approximately 1 million tons of fish in international waters and oceans, which is at least 3 times the amount of fish caught in the country’s waters.”
100 million fish for the 100th anniversary
Drawing attention to the importance of establishing a commission in the Parliament for the problems of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, Yumakli underlined that the report prepared by the commission will be guiding.
Emphasizing that natural resources are not infinite, Yumakli pointed out that not only fish but the entire marine ecosystem should be protected.
Yumakli stated that they released 15 different species of fish into the water resources, including shabut fish in Southeastern Anatolia, grouper, grouper and coral in the Mediterranean, sea bream and sea bass in the Aegean, turbot, sturgeon and natural trout in the Black Sea, he noted that they increased the amount of fish farming to 100 million fish in the 100th anniversary of the Republic.
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz