Fishermen are concerned about not being able to catch enough anchovies in the Black Sea.

This season in the Black Sea, while the anchovy fishing season is not experiencing the same abundance as in recent years, the mackerel fishing season is thriving. Local fishermen, who have the experience of their ancestors saying, "In a year when mackerel is abundant in the sea, there will be no anchovy," are hopeful that anchovies will appear with the cooling of the sea water.

FISHERMEN ARE WAITING FOR THE WEATHER TO COOL

Ahmet Mutlu, the President of the Eastern Black Sea Fishermen's Cooperatives Union, stated that there are widespread rumors that mackerel eats anchovies, and noted that they are waiting for the sea water to cool for anchovies. Mutlu said, "Looking at the last twenty years, we are experiencing days when fishermen could not go to sea for 5 consecutive days. We have thoughts that the sea water should cool down as soon as possible for anchovies. Currently, we have learned that mackerel is doing well in Hopa, Tirebolu, and Zonguldak after the weather cleared. Our prediction is that mackerel seems to continue for a while longer. There is a rumor among the public that mackerel eats anchovy. The authorities can provide a scientific explanation for this, but ultimately it is a pelagic fish. Since it stays in the sea, it must be eating something to sustain itself. We hope that this does not mean there will be no anchovy. Right now, the absence of anchovies is gradually raising our concerns. We hope that anchovies will also make an appearance in a few days," he said.

SEEN IN CERTAIN AREAS

Mutlu expressed that they have received information that anchovies are seen in certain areas, saying, "There is a slight cooling in the waters. We are getting information from our friends in the region; some say that anchovies are present in large numbers in certain areas. Ultimately, we hope that mackerel is not the one eating and feeding on anchovies. I hope there will be anchovies as well. Because as the weather cools, the later it is, the better it will be for us. Because the weather will cool down a bit more. Our hope is that the weather cools down as soon as possible and anchovies appear. Ultimately, the continuation of mackerel is also a separate benefit for us. In the last two years, looking at last year and this year, mackerel would come and migrate, then return. Now it is only providing catches in certain areas. Last year, it provided catches in Ereğli, Zonguldak, and that region. Today, it is primarily providing catches in the Eastern Black Sea. In other words, the fish surprises us as well," he said.

TRYING TO CATCH ANCHOVIES BEFORE THEY MIGRATE

Mutlu stated that this season, mackerel has filled the gap, saying, "Our concern is that anchovies used to complete their migration in about 1-1.5 months in recent years. Hopefully, this will last 2-3 months, and we will have a good fishing season. We used to start with horse mackerel, and now mackerel has filled that gap. Hopefully, with the cooling of the weather, the appearance of anchovies will please us, our fishermen, and our citizens," he expressed.