Aquaculture Products
1. Overview
Aquaculture refers to the controlled cultivation of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants under managed environmental conditions (FAO,2024a). Today, it plays a strategic role in addressing overfishing, ensuring food security, and supporting the goals of the blue economy. According to FAO (2024b), aquaculture production (51%) surpassed capture fisheries (49%) for the first time in 2022.
2. Aquaculture in Türkiye
Aquaculture production in Türkiye has grown rapidly in recent years.
As of 2023, total fishery production reached 1,007,921 tons, of which 55% came from aquaculture and 45% from capture fisheries (TURKSTAT,2024).
Most produced species in Türkiye:
- Freshwater species: Rainbow trout, Mirror carp, Tilapia
- Marine species: Gilthead seabream, European seabass, Meagre (Granyöz), Bluefin tuna, Mediterranean mussel
- Main production regions: Aegean, Black Sea and Mediterranean Regions
These species are farmed using various systems such as ponds, raceways, floating cages, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and longline mussel farms, depending on local water conditions and technological capacity.
3. Global Aquaculture
Asia
- China is the world’s largest aquaculture producer, leading in carp, catfish, tilapia, and seaweed farming.
- Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines specialize in red, brown, and green algae production.
- India also maintains strong aquaculture activity, particularly for shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and inland fish farming.
Europe
- Norway and Scotland dominate salmon farming, while Greece and Türkiye are leading producers of sea bream and sea bass in the Mediterranean.
- France and Spain are well-known for mussel, oyster, and flatfish cultivation.
America & Oceania
- Chile, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are among the top global producers of salmon and trout.
- In the United States, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) supports sustainable aquaculture research and innovation through grants focused on shellfish farming, new species development, and alternative feed research.
4. Key Aquaculture Species
The main aquatic species produced under saltwater and freshwater conditions are summarized in Table 1 (Laird, 2001).
Table 1. The most commonly produced aquatic species cultivated in saltwater and freshwater (Laird, 2001)
|
Species |
Culture Environment |
Optimal Temperature (°C) |
Key Producing Countries |
Highlights |
|
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) |
Fresh & Marine Waters |
4–18 |
Türkiye, Norway, Chile |
Highly adaptable, easy to feed, rich protein source |
|
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) |
Freshwater |
16–28 |
China, Türkiye, Poland |
Ideal for inland aquaculture; tolerant to wide conditions. |
|
Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) |
Marine Waters |
22–25 |
Türkiye, Greece, Spain |
Mediterranean native, high market value |
|
European Seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) |
Marine Waters |
10–25 |
Türkiye, France, Italy |
Hardy species, excellent meat quality |
|
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) |
Cold Marine Waters |
6–14 |
Norway, Chile, Canada |
Top export species, high omega-3 content |
|
Mediterranean Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) |
Marine, Longline Systems |
— |
Türkiye, France, Netherlands |
Natural water filter, eco-friendly farming model |
|
Seaweeds (Algae) |
Marine Waters |
— |
China, Korea, Japan |
Used in food, cosmetics, and biotechnology sectors |
5. Sustainability and Social Impact
- Aquaculture aligns with FAO’s “Blue Transformation” vision, promoting environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
- Shellfish such as mussels and oysters help reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution through natural filtration.
- Women, youth, and small-scale producers receive technical and training support through FAO Aquaculture Demonstration Centers (ADC) located in Egypt, Romania, and Türkiye.
- Technological innovations such as water quality monitoring sensors, drones, and automated feeding systems are enhancing productivity and reducing environmental impacts.
References
FAO. (2022). Blue Transformation – Roadmap 2022–2030: A vision for FAO’s work on aquatic food systems. Roma. doi:https://doi.org/10.4060/cc0459en
FAO. (2023). The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries 2023-Special Edition. Roma: General Fisheries Comission for the Mediterranean. doi:https://doi.org/10.4060/cc8888en
FAO. (2024a, December 28). Definiton of Aquaculture. Annex I – Glossary: https://www.fao.org/4/x2410e/x2410e07.htm#TopOfPage
FAO. (2024b). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 – Blue Transformation in action. Rome: FAO. doi:https://doi.org/10.4060/cd0683en
NOAA. (2025, March 15). Aquaculture Funding Opportunities and Grants. NOAA Web Sitesi: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/aquaculture/aquaculture-funding-opportunities-and-grants
T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı. (2025). Su ürünleri yetiştiriciliği. https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Konular/Su-Urunleri/Su-Urunleri-Yetistiriciligi
TURKSTAT (Turkish Statistical Institute). (2024, December 29). Fishery Products, 2023. TURKSTAT : https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Su-Urunleri-2023-53702&dil=2
Laird, L. (2001). Mariculture Overview. L. Laird içinde, Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences (Second Edition) (s. 1572-1577). Academic Press.