Economic Importance of Trout Culture in Turkey

Abstract

In the last decade, the culture of rainbow trout has become an area of economic activity which shows a great development and brings economic return and employment in Turkey In the first years of aquaculture, rainbow trout production of Turkey was 990 tons in 1986 and this amount was increased to 3 323 tons in 1990 It has showed a rapid incensement in the last years and the amount of production has reached to 85 244 tons in 2010 In this study, the present potential of rainbow trout production, its impact on economy, socio economical structure of this sector and structural and economical status of trout farms depending on their locations were analyzed Rainbow trout, which is cultured in the whole Turkey commonly, is produced in 1 573 farms that are located in 73 cities of Turkey 51 0 of the total aquaculture production is obtained from rainbow trout production When this rate of production is taken into consideration, the added value to the Turkish economy is very high Depending on the 2010 data, rainbow trout production constitutes the 17 4 of total fisheries income and 35 0 of total aquaculture income In conclusion, rainbow trout production has an important part in the aquaculture sector Presence of active trout farms in every part of the country makes a great contribution to the rural development by making a good use of the sources of country, making employment and the its economical income