Turkish tuna farmers tripled exports to Japan over past decade

Industry expands operations into North Africa and seeks a larger fishing quota

20240216 farmed tuna Turkey

In Turkey and other Mediterranean countries, wild tuna are captured and then farmed in pens. (Photo by Momoko Kidera)

MOMOKO KIDERA and SINAN TAVSAN, Nikkei staff writers

ISTANBUL -- Turkish tuna farmers have tripled exports to Japan over the past decade and expanded their operations into North Africa. Industry sources suggest that demand from China and South Korea is also surging.

The harvesting of fattened bluefin tuna was well underway off the Aegean Sea coast of the western province of Izmir one day in January. Divers with electric harpoons dispatched tuna in farming pens 50 meters across, and cranes hoisted tuna weighing 300 to 600 kilograms one after another.

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