Karadeniz Türk Balıkçılığının Yüz Yıllık Tarihine Genel Bir Bakış
A General Approach to Centurial History of Turkish Black Sea Fisheries

Summary/Abstract: In this study; the commercial fishery in the Black Sea has been examined in relation to political and socio-economic changes of the state from the last period of the Ottoman Empire which is date back to beginning of the 1900 also the first years of the Turkish Republic when the fisheries had not yet reached the industrial dimension until the early years of the 21st century. Regular development of fisheries in relation with state policies has been identified. State policies can be evaluated in three different periods; (i) before 1950s, when single-party system and state-controlled economic policies were implemented, (ii) the period between 1950s and 1980s, when the multi-party system with controlled semi-liberal economic policies was launched and (iii) between 1980s and first years of 21st century, which the period of growth and development of fisheries with the transition period to the market economy. At the beginning of this period; the existence of any fisheries sector in Black Sea cannot be mentioned. Fisheries activity had been performing by small boats and traditional fishing techniques with low fish prices that could not provide a suitable income and security. Local fishing activities was based on dolphin, sturgeons and anchovy. Later on, besides increased fishing effort, there had been no similar trend for landings in the Black Sea during the 30 years from the early 1980s until the first quarter of the 2000s. In particular, decrease in landings has been observed in demersal stocks starting in late 1980s with its lowest level until late 2010s. Collapse of turbot stock which is one of the very important demersal fish is considered as an indicator for status of demersal fishery. Expanding fishing fleets in size and numbers with developing technologies was not profitable which was even caused decline in catch per unit effort in Black Sea. As of today, it is possible to say that the sustainability of a fisheries sector based on anchovy fishery is at great risk in near future.

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