Istanbul (TDI): Türkiye’s fisheries sector reached a historic milestone in 2025 as total fish production exceeded 1.02 million tons, setting an all-time record in the history of the Republic, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli announced.
Speaking on the final day of 2025 during a meeting with fishermen in Istanbul’s Sariyer district, Yumakli credited the achievement to strategic planning and reforms in the sector.
“Fish production in Türkiye reached 1.02 million tons in 2025, breaking an all-time record… this is truly a very large, massive figure,” he said.
According to preliminary Ministry data, capture fisheries, the traditional method of wild fishing, accounted for around 400,000 tons of the total output, while 600,000 tons came from aquaculture, where fish are farmed under controlled conditions.
The record comes as Türkiye continues to expand its aquaculture industry, a trend that has been gaining momentum in recent years.
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Aquaculture now contributes a significant share of the country’s seafood output, a pattern seen across the Mediterranean region where technical innovations and investments have boosted production.
Yumakli also highlighted the economic significance of the sector, noting that fisheries exports approached $2 billion in 2025. For Türkiye, a country surrounded by seas on three sides, seafood has long been both a vital food resource and a growing export commodity.
Despite the sector’s overall success, Yumakli acknowledged that climate change posed ongoing challenges. Rising sea temperatures and shifting migration patterns have affected fishing conditions, forcing producers to adapt.
However, he stressed that Türkiye completed 2025 without major incidents in the fisheries sector. One notable success within the record year was anchovy production, which exceeded expectations by reaching 245,000 tons — a key achievement given the species’ cultural and economic importance in Türkiye.
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Throughout his remarks, the minister emphasized the importance of a balance between utilization and conservation. He thanked fishermen and fish farmers for complying with sustainability rules designed to protect stock levels and ensure long-term industry viability.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry plans to continue close coordination with industry stakeholders to maintain growth in 2026 and beyond.
Yumakli expressed optimism that the sector will continue to thrive while advancing sustainable practices that support both the environment and coastal communities.
