Anchovy fishing has been stopped in the Marmara Sea and the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits in order to protect the ecosystem of the Marmara Sea and to contribute more economically to the fishermen next season.
In addition to the observations and inspections carried out by the General Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in the monitoring studies of research institutions; An increase in the proportion of individuals who do not meet the height criteria allowed by the law, and a decrease in meat productivity in anchovies caught in the Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits were detected.
In the studies, it has been evaluated that this situation has developed as a result of environmental and climatic factors experienced this year, and that the fishing that is not suitable for both the legal length of the fish and the biological structure of the fish is increasing. Accordingly, it has been observed that the amount of caught fish, which is not evaluated and cannot be marketed, continues to increase.
Considering that these developments will have a negative impact on anchovy stocks and rootstocks in the coming years, it has emerged that urgent measures should be taken in terms of fisheries management.
Necessary decisions were taken in line with the demands of non-governmental organizations related to fisheries and the suggestions of academicians who are members of the Fisheries and Fisheries Scientific and Technical Advisory Board established under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
In this context, in order not to adversely affect anchovy stocks in the coming years, to protect the Marmara Sea ecosystem and to provide more economic contribution to the fishermen in the next season, all kinds of commercial anchovy fishing in the Marmara Sea and the Istanbul and Çanakkale Straits has been stopped as of 21:2023 on 15.00 February XNUMX.
With the practice that will continue until April 15, 2023, the anchovy needs of the people will continue to be met with products caught from areas where hunting is free and kept in cold storage.
No restrictions were applied in the fishing of other species such as horse mackerel, bluefish, whiting and sprat.
In order to ensure that the decision taken is implemented in the field, the inspections of the Ministry will continue, as in the past, by mobilizing all possibilities. All kinds of technical and infrastructure measures have been taken for this purpose.
However, it is of great importance that fishermen do not hunt juveniles and anchovies that do not have sufficient meat productivity.
It is of vital importance for the protection and sustainability of fisheries stocks in our country that our people show the necessary sensitivity and not buy anchovies smaller than 9 centimeters, and when they encounter such a situation, they notify the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry or the Alo 174 line.