31.08.2026 22:10
Speaking at the 2026-2027 Fishing Season Opening Ceremony in Izmir, AK Party Secretary General and Izmir Deputy Eyyüp Kadir İnan wished the new season to bring abundance to fishermen and the Aegean. Promising to remove bureaucratic obstacles to production, İnan gave a message of full support to fishermen, saying, “As long as you cast your nets, sow your seeds, and produce. Tearing down those walls and clearing your path is our job.”
AK Party Secretary General and Izmir Deputy Eyyüp Kadir İnan addressed fishermen at the 2026-2027 Fishing Season Opening Ceremony. İnan said, "As long as you cast your nets, as long as you sow your seeds, as long as you produce. It is our job to tear down those walls and clear your path."
NEW FISHING SEASON OPENED
The 2026-2027 Fishing Season was opened with a ceremony held at the Yalı Fishermen's Shelter in Güzelbahçe. Speaking at the ceremony, which was also attended by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, AK Party Secretary General and Izmir Deputy Eyyüp Kadir İnan expressed his wish that the new season would bring abundance to fishermen, the Aegean Region, and Turkey.
İnan, who thanked Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı for his visit to Izmir, drew attention to the importance of the season's first nets being cast into the sea from Izmir.
İnan said, "Welcome to our beautiful Izmir, the heart of abundance, the homeland of the Efe and the sea; you have honored us. I sincerely thank you on behalf of all my fellow citizens, our captains, and our producers for igniting the flare of this great day from our Izmir, where we will cast the season's first nets into the sea and shout 'Vira' all together."
"AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRODUCTION ARE OUR GREATEST PRIORITY"
Noting that Izmir has great production potential with its industry, agriculture, and seas, İnan said that while industrial investments continue, agriculture and the fisheries sector should not be neglected.
İnan stated:
"Izmir is a city that cannot stand still and cannot be contained. Our industrialists' desire to grow and their aspiration to make new investments are, of course, our pride. The chimneys will smoke, the wheels will turn, and our industry will develop. However, just as we value our industry, we know that we must never neglect our agriculture and our seas and must pay at least equal attention to these areas. Agriculture and food production have always been our greatest priority."
Pointing to Izmir's natural wealth, İnan said, "Turn your face to the sea; fish are gushing forth from our Blue Homeland like silver. Turn to the land; we have a miraculous soil, the envy of the world, that yields harvests three times a year. In this era when the world is desperate for a morsel of healthy food, can we think of any way other than making this abundance and this divine blessing our priority?"
"THIS IS NOT JUST A PROFESSION, IT IS A MATTER OF THE HOMELAND"
Calling on experienced farmers and fishermen to pass on their knowledge and experience to younger generations, İnan emphasized that the continuity of agriculture and fishing is a national responsibility.
İnan said, "Do not keep that unique experience, kneaded with the sorrows, joys, and salt of the sea, to yourselves. Take our children by the hand; teach them to read the wind, and to know the temperament and nature of the soil. Let our children take ownership of these seas and these lands. This is not just a matter of profession; it is a matter of the homeland, a debt of our honor, a national duty."
HISTORIC THRESHOLD IN SEAFOOD EXPORTS
Stating that Turkey has achieved significant success in the seafood sector, İnan said that in the first six months of 2026, seafood exports exceeded 1 billion dollars for the first time in the history of the Republic.
İnan, who also noted that the Izmir Seafood Market is the number one in Turkey with a processing volume of 50 thousand tons, stated that fishermen's labor lies behind this success and continued as follows:
"As you produce with this passion, you have a state behind you as solid as a mountain. If our seafood exports exceeded 1 billion dollars in the first six months of 2026 for the first time in the history of the Republic, and if the Izmir Seafood Market became the number one in Turkey with a processing volume of 50 thousand tons, this is the work of your sleepless nights and your calloused hands that pull the nets."
THANKS TO MINISTER YUMAKLI FOR SOLUTION-ORIENTED APPROACH
Emphasizing the importance of the support given by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı to the agriculture and fishing sectors, İnan said, "The support of our Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. İbrahim Yumaklı, who knows the field closely, is extremely valuable to us. His practical approach, which focuses on solutions rather than bureaucracy and speeds up processes, is a significant convenience for our fishermen and farmers in Izmir."
"IT IS OUR JOB TO TEAR DOWN THOSE COLD WALLS"
Emphasizing that they stand by fishermen and farmers together with all institutions to overcome bureaucratic obstacles they may face, İnan addressed the producers with the following words:
"If it happens that while seeking your fortune at sea or making your mark in the field, a cold wall comes before you. If a document or a rule tries to make your work difficult. Don't worry, don't let it get to you. Together with our Governor, our esteemed deputies, our provincial chairmen, and our chamber of commerce president, we are here in full force, always by your side."
İnan continued his speech as follows:
"It is our job to tear down those walls and clear your path. Our philosophy is this: As long as you cast your nets, as long as you sow your seeds, as long as you produce. As long as you honor the sea, appreciate the value of the land, and carry that abundance into the future by adhering to sustainability rules. We will overcome the obstacles."
"MAY YOUR NETS BE FULL AND YOUR EARNINGS ABUNDANT"
Wishing fishermen abundant earnings in the new fishing season, İnan stated that increased production would also contribute to citizens accessing fish at affordable prices.
İnan said, "I wish that throughout the days, weeks, and months you will spend chasing your fortune at sea, your nets will always come up full and your fish farms will overflow. Thus, your earnings will be plentiful and abundant, and our citizens will eat plenty of fish at affordable prices."
Wishing that the new fishing season would bring abundance to the Aegean and Turkey, İnan concluded his speech with the words, "May the wind be in your favor, and may your bow be clear. Vira Bismillah!"