The big catch

In the largest city Istanbul, the season officially opened in Poyrazkoy, which lies at the exit of the Bosporus into the Black Sea. The fishermen noted that the first catches did not include anchovies or sufficient quantities of bonito.

In coastal city Rize, fishermen also set out to sea on the first day of the season. Despite high temperatures affecting the catch, local fish markets saw a modest supply of fish.

In Ordu, fishermen in Fatsa and surrounding districts set out to sea at night. Early catches included whiting, red mullet and horse mackerel.

Fatsa Fisheries Cooperative Chairman Ilhami Demirturk said in an interview with Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah: "For now, the season looks promising. Bonito is currently scarce, but hamsi and horse mackerel are abundant. Hopefully, we will all have a safe and productive season."

Across Turkiye, fishermen remain hopeful that as the season progresses, yields will improve despite initial challenges from warm weather and small fish sizes.

The catch has had a profound local impact. Enver Sanli, president of the Fisheries Cooperative in Igneada, said the remarkable abundance of fish has led to a significant drop in prices, making seafood more affordable for consumers. What's more, the boom in fishing has provided essential food resources and created job opportunities, especially for local workers unloading the catch.