Sacrifice meat and high temperatures decreased the demand for fish

It was stated that the hot weather and the decreased interest in meat during the Feast of Sacrifice reduce the demand for fish, while generally Arab tourists prefer fish more. Different types of fish species decorate the stalls in Trabzon Fish Market, but the lack of preference for fish by the public negatively affects the business of fishermen. Fishermen, stating that they expect their business to pick up after the Feast of Sacrifice, noted that the yield expected so far in the Swordfish fishing, which started on June 15, has not been achieved. Fisherman Ahmet Çoğalmış mentioned that their business declined due to the interest in meat during the Feast of Sacrifice, saying, ‘Our business is slow due to the Feast of Sacrifice, but I hope it will pick up again after a few days. Nowadays, there are more farmed fish, but other types of fish are also available at our stalls. Our prices are as follows: horse mackerel 200-250 TL, large horse mackerel 400 TL, whiting, mullet 100 TL, sea bass, bream 250-300 TL. These days, Arab tourists show more interest in fish. They usually prefer species like bream, salmon, sea bass.’ Swordfish fishing has started but the yield is low. Çoğalmış noted that Swordfish fishing began as of June 15 but the expected yield has not been achieved so far. He said, ‘Swordfish season has started but they are coming out very little. Therefore, the price is high due to the scarcity. It ranges between one thousand and one thousand one hundred TL per kilo. Last year, they were more abundant. Besides Swordfish, horse mackerel has also decreased these days. Last year, horse mackerel was cheaper in these months, but this year it is coming out very little. People in Trabzon do not show much interest in fish in hot weather. Generally, people think fish is over when the season ends. Therefore, there is handline fishing, which continues throughout the summer.’