Geographical Distribution and Importance of Sea Bass, Sea Bream and Trout Breeding in Turkey

Abstract

Fish were used as a food source during the hunting-gathering period of humans. It continued its development and transformation with the developments in science and technology and continued its importance today. The demand for fish, which is a valuable food, is increasing day by day. Fish consumption is increasing day by day, even in countries that generally supply their animal protein needs from terrestrial animals. Today, the increase in the population, the increase in the demand for fish, and the developments in science and technology, have caused an increase in the amount of fish caught, but this also puts pressure on the fish reserves. At this point, aquaculture gains great importance. Increases in both fish production amounts and the number of producers are quite high. Between 1990 and 2018, the increase in fish caught was 12.24%, while the increase in aquaculture was 525.28%. 46% of the world's total fish production and 52% of people's fish consumption are obtained from aquaculture. In aquaculture, firstly carp and trout were bred. In 2018, aquaculture production reached 114.5 million tons (including plants and others), with a sales value of $263.6 billion. In Turkey, as in the rest of the world, the development in aquaculture is very important. Aquaculture production, which was 5 782 tons as of 1990, reached 373 356 tons as of 2019 with an increase of 6457.2% between 1990 and 2019. The production of finned fish is also dominant in Turkey. Among these species, especially sea bass, sea bream and trout farming takes the first place. The fact that the total of the three species constitute 97.2% of the total aquaculture production clearly reveals the importance of sea bass, sea bream and trout farming. The fact that the total of the three species constitute 97.2% of the total aquaculture production clearly reveals the importance of sea bass, sea bream and trout farming. As both a source of export income and an employment provider, fish and fish products trade makes a significant contribution to economic growth in developing countries. For these reasons, the geographical distribution of sea bass, sea bream and trout in Turkey and their importance as an economic activity are discussed in this study.