THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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The Çekerek Dam, built in the Çekerek district of Yozgat province for irrigation, energy and flood control purposes, exports 3,000 tonnes of Turkish salmon and trout produced annually using cage systems.
Construction of the dam, which began in 2011, has become an important source of income for the local community over time.
Thanks to the cage systems installed on the dam lake, producers are able to supply fish both to the domestic market and abroad.
Adem Yılmaz, a local resident, told journalists that their lands were submerged due to the construction of the dam.
Yılmaz, who stated that he started fishing in 2015 and produces trout and Turkish salmon at the facility he established, said that they produce 225 tons annually in 18 cages.
Yılmaz, who said that the dam offers great opportunities in terms of production, said, “We send the fry, which weigh about 5 grams, to the Black Sea after they reach a certain weight. The salmon that grow here are also exported to European countries.”
Yılmaz stated that they send the trout they raise to export companies they have agreements with, adding:
“Some of these fish are processed in factories and sent to Europe. Currently, we are sending trout to Denmark and salmon to Russia. Turkish salmon is also making a name for itself in the Japanese market. Our childhood was spent by the rivers, and our lands were submerged. The journey we began by wondering what we could do with this dam has brought us to the point of exporting. We do our work with passion. We take pride in serving both our country and our hometown. At present, fishing is our livelihood.”
