Gökçeada Balık Tüketim Alışkanlığının Belirlenmesi ve Sosyo-Ekonomik Analizi

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to determine the fish consumption habits and preferences of people from different socio-economic backgrounds and income brackets, who reside permanently in the District of Gökçeada. Gökçeada is the largest island in Turkey with a surface area of 289 km² and 92 km of coastal length. The principal material of the study is the data collected from the questionnaires that were completed by 452 permanent residents of the central and rural villages on the island with varying socio-economic backgrounds in 2012. The data reveals that the most preferred type of meat by the Imbros residents are poultry (38.8 %), fish (34.4 %) and red meat (26.8 %). The type of meat that was consumed the most was determined as poultry (37.3 %), fish (33.0%) and red meat (25.4 %). Differences could be observed in terms of fish consumption habits among the coastal residents and the inland residents. Additionally, differences could be identified in the age, sex, occupation, income bracket and educational level of the residents who consume or do not prefer fish. In the study conducted by employing subjects from various age groups revealed that the largest group comprised of people who consume fish 2-3 times a week (49.6 %). The conducted study revealed that the most preferred fish was bluefish (30.3 %) and the most frequently consumed species was sardines (22.4 %). The fish are consumed following frying (31.9 %), grilling (14.8 %) or steam cooking (12.6 %). The fish consumption in Gökçeada was determined to be well above the national average. The reason for this outcome is thought to stem from the co-occurrence of several geographical and anthropological conditions including the study area being an island, the presence of amateur fishing and the ease of access to fish by individuals upon demand at any time.