The 7th Turkish aquaculture workshop was conducted in Antalya between February 27 and March 2 with 700 representatives of the aquaculture industry participating. Turkish state officials were also represented by a number of senior executives during the event.
During the workshop, several important subjects for aquaculture production in Turkey were discussed including the present and the future of aquaculture in Turkey, alternative feed materials for fish feed production, integrated fish production, possible alternative species to produce, and closed aquaculture systems to increase fish production, which would produce more fish for export.
USSEC country representative Sirri Kayhan discussed alternatives for feed materials and the in pond raceway system (IPRS) with members of the Central Aquaculture Association and state officials. Mr. Kayhan stressed that U.S. soy products can be a good alternative protein source for fish feed diets and IPRS for the alternative of the closed aquaculture systems to increase fish production. The Central Aquaculture Association president Faruk Coskun requested that USSEC provide a speaker next year during the aqua workshop to present information about U.S. Soy and IPRS.
Turkey currently produces 270,000 tons of fish and 600,000 tons of fish feed. In 2023, the target is to produce 500,000 tons of fish and 1,000,000 tons of feed. The producers believe this is an achievable target and they will work hard to reach this number. Soy consumption in fish feed diets for Turkish species averages 25 percent, which will make total soy consumption around 250,000 tons solely for fish feed.
USSEC has been presenting IPRS in Turkey since last year and plans to conduct a demonstration with the collaboration of marine and freshwater producers. Mr. Kayhan believes that IPRS will help to increase fish production in Turkey.