During the war years the principal foreign buyer was Germany, 

 while at present Italy is the principal export outlet. 



Common bass and red mullet 



An infinite variety of edible fish are caught in Turkish waters. 

 In addition to the principal species discussed above, the ones that have 

 a certain importance, as they are exported from ports on the Aegean Sea, 

 are the common bass and red mullet. 



Principal Species of Freshwater Fish 



The principal species of freshwater fish caught in Turkey 

 are the carp, grey mullet, wells, pike, eels, and sturgeon* 



The principal lakes producing freshwater fish are the Apolyont, 

 Manyas, Ak&ehir, Mermercik, Enez, Kullak, Beygehir, Soke, and Terkos. 

 These lakes are especially rich in carp. The potential output of Turkish 

 lakes and streams is estimated at over 3,000 tons per annum, of whioh two- 

 thirds would represent carp. 



At present only a fraction of the country's potential freshwater 

 resource is being utilized, and this only to the extent that sales outlets 

 can be secured for the fish caught. The lakes of Mermercik, Soke, and 

 Bafra are rich in grey mullet. Lakes and streams in the Iskenderun region 

 abound in grey mullets and eels, but fishing in this part of the oountry 

 is of limited commercial importance. 



Eel fishing all over the country may be considered as having 

 received practioally no attention beoause the type of equipment required 

 for this fish is not sufficiently well known in Turkey. Fishing for 

 freshwater fish is usually practiced by means of traps made of rushes 

 installed in such a way that once the fish gets in it finds it difficult 

 to find its way out. Nets are also used to a limited extent. 



Carp 



Annual production of carp is estimated at from 1200 to 1500 

 tons. The fish itself is consumed in the regions where it is caught after 

 extraction of the roe, which constitutes an important export commodity. 

 This product is salted in a primitive fashion and packed in tin cans which 

 are shipped to Istanbul for further processing with a view to export and 

 domestic consumption. Average annual production of carp roe according to 

 trade circles approximates 60 ton6. 



Grey mullet 



Annual production of grey mullet is estimated at 500 tons of 

 which about 50 percent is exported fresh. The balance is consumed locally 

 in either the fresh or smoked form. This fish also serves for the produc- 

 tion of botargo (pickled spawn) which is usually sold coated with beeswax. 

 Annual production of this commodity which is highly prized is estimated 



18 



