An In-Depth Analysis of the Finfish Aquaculture in Türkiye: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Abstract

Aquaculture emerges as a crucial solution for addressing the global food shortage of an estimated 10 billion people by 2050. In Türkiye, aquaculture plays a significant role in supporting the economy and ensuring food security. Over the past two decades, finfish production in Türkiye surged from 61,163 to 547,505 t, generating $1.7 billion in export revenue across over 100 countries. This growth has been driven by technological advancements, robust governmental support, and increasing global demand for aquaculture products. However, the sector also faces persistent challenges, including the need to enhance sustainability, mitigate ecological impacts, and manage finite resources. As Europe's leading fish producer, the Turkish aquaculture sector must continue to innovate and expand to meet the demands of a growing population. Despite the expanding research on Turkish finfish aquaculture, there is no comprehensive review that consolidates both scientific progress and sectoral developments. This study fills that void by combining a bibliometric analysis of 1958 scientific publications from 1983 to 2023 with an in-depth sectoral evaluation, providing a holistic understanding of the Turkish aquaculture sector. The bibliometric analysis highlights key research areas, trends, and knowledge gaps, while the sectoral overview examines production trends, dynamics of the feed industry, technological innovations, and economic factors. It also addresses challenges such as climate change impacts, reliance on imported feed ingredients, and disease issues, discussing potential avenues for sustainable growth through innovation, policy reforms, and technological integration. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, offering insights into the current state and future directions of finfish aquaculture in Türkiye.