Development strategies of sea bass enterprises in Mediterranean region of Turkey

Abstract

The study presents the current structure of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax) in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Mugla, Antalya, Mersin, and Hatay provinces where cultured fish productions are intensive were chosen as research survey area. The data used in this research has been obtained by simple random sampling in 2009-2010 production terms by questionnaire performed in 72 Sea Bass enterprises. The structure of fish production was described based on the statistical data provided by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affair (MARA) as well as Turkey Statistic Institute (TUIK). The data have been processed into the following indicators: The structure of Sea Bass enterprises such as 4Rs (Resources Reduce, Reused, and Recycling), productivity and profitability.Based on annual operation results, Gross Margin was calculated as $83,194 for earthen pond enterprises and $168,840 for cage enterprises. Net Income was $59,528 for earthen pond enterprises and $118,385 for cage enterprises. Agricultural Income was calculated $79,888 for earthen pond enterprises and $146,333 for cage enterprises. For earthen pond enterprises, financial profitability was 20.16% and economical profitability was 20.71%. For cage enterprises, financial profitability was 18.25% and economical profitability was 18.87%. The cost of Sea Bass and Sea Bream were calculated 4.91, 4.54, 4.98 and 4.87 $/Kg for earthen pond and cage enterprises, respectively. As result of research, machine capital and feed consumption were calculated higher for cage enterprises where economic and financial profitability were lower. In this case, decreasing amount of machine capital and feed consumption will minimize the enterprise costs. The enterprises may maximize profitability with renting machine instead of investing, and optimizing amount of feed consumption. Key words: Sea Bream (Sparus auratus), sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), Economics analyses, Turkey.