Early Bonito Catch Threatens Fish Stocks
· Dünya Gazetesi
While the early fishing permit granted to small-scale fishermen before the general fishing season creates market activity, experts warn that catching immature bonito jeopardizes fish stocks.
Early Fishing Permit and Market Activity
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry granted small-scale fishermen permission to fish with nets, in addition to traditional methods, between August 15-31, prior to the general fishing season commencing on September 1. Prof. Dr. Osman Samsun, a faculty member at Sinop University's Fisheries Faculty, stated that this decision led to significant activity in the markets. Highlighting the small size of the caught fish, Prof. Dr. Osman Samsun from Sinop University's Fisheries Faculty made the following assessment:
"If they had waited another month, these fish, currently weighing 200-250 grams, would have reached 400-450 grams."
Prof. Dr. Samsun expressed that they expect the quantity of caught fish to increase further after September 1.
Reproductive Cycle and Stock Risk
Prof. Dr. Osman Samsun, a member of the Technical and Advisory Science Board of the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, issued warnings regarding the biological maturity of the caught fish. Prof. Dr. Osman Samsun, a faculty member at Sinop University's Fisheries Faculty, stated the following on the matter:
"As scientists at Sinop University, and also as members of the Technical and Advisory Science Board of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, we share our research and evaluations with the Ministry. Scientifically, the age at which any fish can be caught is after it has reproduced. There are doubts about whether the fish currently being caught have reproduced. According to the literature, these small fish have not yet reproduced. They are fish that have not left a generation. Of course, people may be happy to buy fish at a low price, but if they were a little more patient and waited, these small fish would reach much larger weights and become well-nourished, yielding higher productivity."
Climate Change Impact on the Fishing Calendar
Stating that small fishermen are turning to early fishing due to economic concerns, but the marine ecosystem must be protected, Prof. Dr. Osman Samsun emphasized the increase in sea water temperatures. Prof. Dr. Osman Samsun, a faculty member at Sinop University's Fisheries Faculty, noted the following:
"A social balance is being attempted. Because small fishermen, looking from economic and social dimensions, say, 'Let us catch them; the large trawlers will catch a lot anyway, let us catch some before them and make sales.' This might be reasonable, but when we look at the bigger picture, at Turkey's future stocks, there are views from the scientific community that shifting the fishing season to October would be more beneficial, especially due to climate change and rising temperatures."
The expert emphasized that it is essential for all stakeholders to come together on a scientific basis for the protection of stocks.