A new approach in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792) industry: "Turkish Salmon" production and marketing trends

Abstract

With favorable environmental conditions and the adoption of new technologies, Türkiye has 1703 enterprises producing trout as of 2022. These enterprises collectively produce 167,286 tons of trout per year, including portioned fish (200-250 g), fillet candidates (400-600 g), and fillets (known as Turkish Salmon) (>3000 g). The production chain for Turkish Salmon involves hatcheries, dam lake net cage systems, and offshore net cage systems. There are 680 hatcheries producing trout eggs and fry, with a total annual production of 1,360,029,485 eggs. Additionally, 622 pond/dam lake net cage systems are used for producing Turkish Salmon candidates weighing 400-600 g, with a total production capacity of 163,525,079 kg per year. Offshore net cage systems in the Black Sea region, spread across six provinces, are utilized for Turkish Salmon production. Production planning is underway for two provinces, with a total planned production area of 15,650,000 m2 and a projected capacity of 221,188,000 kg per year. Türkiye is actively involved in the global aquaculture sector, paying close attention to its advancements. Türkiye has a strong egg/juvenile production capacity compared to other countries involved in trout production globally. However, the importation of biotechnology-applied and observed eggs continues, posing biological and genetic risks to Türkiye's natural aquatic areas. Over the past 20 years, Türkiye's trout production has grown significantly, reaching 167,286 tons per year, marking it as a significant food production industry. This success can be attributed to favorable environmental conditions, increasing consumer demand, the adoption of new technologies, and consistent investments. However, the rapid growth in the trout farming sector over the past five years has led to an uncontrollable decline in survival rates. This decline can be attributed to the spread of diseases, incorrect treatment methods, improper breeding management practices, flawed business management, unregulated fish transport, and compromised sanitary and environmental conditions.