Fishing ban lifted: The first auction was held in Bandırma.

After the fishing ban was lifted in Bandırma district of Balıkesir, the first fish of the season were brought to the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Bandırma Seafood Market and sold.

In Bandırma, with the lifting of the fishing ban in the seas as of September 1, the first fish of the new fishing season found their owners in the early hours of the morning. The auction program held at the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality Bandırma Seafood Market was attended by Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın, Bandırma Mayor Dursun Mirza, fishermen, and citizens.

Fish brought to the market in crates were put up for auction. The auction began with the first whistle blown by Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın, which has become a tradition. Those wishing to buy the season’s first fresh fish participated in the auction. During the program, prayers were offered for a fruitful fishing season. On the first day of the fishing season, the most caught fish from the sea was sardine. The crate of sardines was sold for one thousand lira at the first auction.

“We are united with all our fishermen who earn their bread from the sea.”

Wishing for a bountiful new season, Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın stated in his speech, “We all said ‘Vira Bismillah’ together with our fishermen at the Bandırma Fish Market. We are united with all our fishermen who earn their bread from the sea. Hopefully, it will be a season that will meet the needs of the whole country with abundant fish. I wish all our fishermen fruitful trades and abundant earnings without any accidents or misfortunes.”

“We are creating our own kitchen under the name of Close Kitchen.”

Continuing his speech by announcing the good news of the opening of restaurant businesses across Balıkesir, Balıkesir Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Akın said, “We are creating our own kitchen under the name of Close Kitchen in all the districts of Balıkesir. In Close Kitchen, five dishes will cost 50 lira. We are here today to increase the prosperity of our tradesmen’s bread. We will also use these fish in our city restaurants.”