The fishing season has opened in the Black Sea: Bonito is a hit, anchovies are next.

Fishermen have largely completed their preparations for the new fishing season in the Black Sea, which will start on September 1.

Ahmet Mutlu, President of the Eastern Black Sea Fishermen's Cooperatives Union, stated that some of the approximately 50 purse seiners are still preparing for the season, while others have completed their preparations and are ready to set sail.

Mutlu emphasized that he believes the appearance of small, albeit small, specimen bonito in the sea before the new season is due to climatic effects, and that the summer anchovies caught in the fishing lines and gillnets of small fishermen are a positive sign.

The season will start with horse mackerel and bonito

Mutlu said they will start the season with horse mackerel and bonito, and that anchovy accounts for 60-70 percent of Türkiye's fishing, and that they hope the migration will be delayed with the colder weather.

Mutlu, who stated that the new season will begin with horse mackerel and bonito, said, "When we look at the sea, we're starting to see a few sample bonito. I think this is due to the climate. The seawater is a bit warm, so the fish seem to have shown up a little late. The good news is that even if it's summer anchovies, they're still hitting the fishing lines and gillnets of small fishermen. This is a good sign. We're looking forward to a good season, God willing. We're starting the season with horse mackerel and bonito. Anchovies are the cream of the crop. Logically, anchovies make up 60-70 percent of Turkey's fisheries. Anchovies are processed and shipped both domestically and internationally, and they're in high demand. Therefore, having anchovies is crucial for both our economy and our citizens. At least one kilogram of fish can contribute to the table and help people eat well. This is encouraging for us."

Increase expected in bonito

Mutlu noted that last year's bonito abundance was due to climatic conditions. "If conditions are favorable, bonito hatching and a suitable environment affect bonito production," he said. "This year, temperatures are good. Perhaps bonito may suddenly appear more abundantly. Even if it's just a sample, we can say there's something in the sea, there's hope. We have 38 cooperatives and approximately 50 purse seiners engaged in fishing. Some of these have completed their preparations, while others are still at the shipyard. Hopefully, if the weather cools down, the anchovy migration will be delayed a bit further, which would be beneficial for both us and the fishery. I wish them a profitable, healthy, and beautiful hunting season this coming year."