The Current Situation of Small Scale Fisheries in Iskenderun Bay: A Case of Iskenderun, Arsuz and Konacik

In Turkey, vessels using in small-scale fisheries comprise more than 90 percent of the total number of fishing vessels. Iskenderun Bay is one of the important fishing grounds in Mediterranean Sea. In this study, three regions, namely Iskenderun, Arsuz and Konacik located in the Bay, were considered. The aims of this study were to; (i) determine social and economic structure of the fishermen, (ii) know the fishermen’s opinions on some issues related to fishing, and (iii) determine similarities and differences between the three regions within the context of the study performed. The data needed in this study were obtained from a survey based on interviews with fishermen. A total of 43 fishermen were sampled (of 22 from Iskenderun, 13 from Arsuz and 8 from Konacik). Increasing the vessel capacity, age status, job, the HP of vessel, opinion on the European Union, fishing equipment, vessel ownership were found to be the main factors responsible for differences between the regions. Majority of the fishermen decelerated that they suffer from the yield conservation, marketing, coastal guarding, fish farms with cage, and big scale fishing. We recommend that to determine the current problems related with fishing, a SWOT (Strenghts, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is needed in local scale with a range board of stakeholders. Furthermore, fishermen should be trained and encouraged to be a member of a co-operative.