The Current Status and Challenges Facing the Small-Scale Fisheries of Turkey

The Turkish small-scale fishing fleet consists of 13,193 vessels. This represents over 90% of the commercial fleet in terms of the number of vessels. Moreover, approximately 30,000 fishers are organized into 572 fishery cooperatives in Turkey, and most of these fishers are from the small-scale fisheries sector, which also includes fisherwomen. However, this sector has not been given the attention it deserves. In this chapter, the general structure of Turkey’s small-scale fisheries is discussed, along with its socio-economic characteristics, organisational structure, policy measures and influence over time. One successful case study of small-scale fisheries is presented, hopefully to be expanded around the country. Lastly, suggestions towards improving small-scale fisheries in the future are discussed. Our findings demonstrate that the future of this sector is in jeopardy as it is transitioning into a part–time (and even recreational) activity. Over two-thirds of fishers are pessimistic about their futures, while 40% are willing to quit the profession outright. The most prominent threats faced by this sector stem from overfishing, illegal fishing, reduced catches and revenues, and weak monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) resulting from a lack of effective fisheries management. Despite all these issues, fishers (especially those organised in cooperatives) have great potential to contribute to building a better future for fisheries, if managed effectively. Indeed, if management authorities are truly concerned about the sustainability of small-scale fisheries, they must seek creative ways to close current loopholes in the system to make it effective. Fortunately, many of the essential tools are already in place.