Erdoğan inaugurates 2023-2024 fishing season, pledges continued support for fishery sector

Acknowledging the vital role of fishers in the nation's economy, Erdoğan underscored their contributions and extended a warm welcome to the new season.

During his speech at the fishing season's opening ceremony, President Erdoğan expressed gratitude to the fishers who sustain their livelihoods from the sea, highlighting their essential role in bolstering the economy. He remarked: "We appreciate the contributions our brothers and sisters making a living from the sea provide to the economy. You are the ones who know best the supports we extend to the fishery."

Emphasizing the substantial employment opportunities generated by the fishery sector, Erdoğan noted that nearly a quarter of a million people in Türkiye are employed in fishing-related activities. He extended his heartfelt wishes for a productive and successful season ahead for all fishers.

Erdoğan commended the significant economic impact of those who derive their livelihoods from the sea, underscoring the government's commitment to supporting the fishing industry in Türkiye. He revealed some of the measures implemented to bolster the sector, saying: "You are the ones who know best the supports we extend to the fishery. We have been offering fuel without excise tax since 2004 in a bid to lower our fishers’ costs."

Highlighting the extent of the support, Erdoğan disclosed that an impressive 15.6 billion Turkish liras' worth of excise tax-free fuel support has been provided to fishers thus far. He went on to outline additional assistance in the form of affordable loans extended to sea product hunters and producers through Ziraat Bank and Agricultural Credit Cooperatives. Since 2002, the sector has been bolstered by a total of 23.2 billion Turkish liras' worth of subsidized credits.

The event not only symbolized the inauguration of the fishing season but also reaffirmed the government's unwavering dedication to supporting the fishery industry. Erdoğan's remarks acknowledged the pivotal role of fishers in Türkiye's economy while outlining the steps taken to ensure their prosperity and continued contribution to the nation's well-being. (ILKHA)