This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 2 2026.
The Aquaculture Workshop, which has been successfully organized for many years by the Central Union of Aquaculture Producers of Türkiye (SUYMERBIR), joined forces for the first time with the Aquaculture Fair under the name “Aquaculture Türkiye 2026.” The event was one of the most comprehensive and highly attended sectoral events ever held in Türkiye.
As one of the key pillars of sustainable food production and economic development, Türkiye’s aquaculture sector aims to reach a leading position worldwide. In line with this vision, the 11th Aquaculture Workshop—now a traditional event—together with the 1st Aquaculture Fair, brought together all the sector’s stakeholders between 4 and 8 February 2026 in Antalya. Nearly 2,000 participants from many different countries attended the workshop sessions, while more than 50 companies promoted their products and solutions in the exhibition area. Participation extended from Europe to Asia and from Africa to the Americas and included representatives from Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Germany, the United States of America, Poland, and the Czech Republic, as well as from Central Asian countries, the Caucasus region, and Ukraine. The event reinforced Türkiye’s regional leadership in aquaculture and highlighted its growing global influence.
Senior figures from the administration mingle with exhibitors for mutual benefit
At the opening ceremony of the event, Ahmet Sermed, President of Suymerbir, Turgay Türkyılmaz, Director General of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Hulusi Şahin, Governor of Antalya, outlined the general framework of the event. In his address, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ebubekir Gizligider, emphasised the strategic importance of aquaculture in terms of national food security and export capacity. After the opening ceremony, high-level authorities visited the exhibition area and held one-on-one meetings with producers, suppliers, technology providers, and sector representatives. These engagements created a valuable platform for strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.
On the first day of the three-day workshop, presentations on aquaculture policies were delivered by the relevant department heads from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. During this session, comprehensive information was shared on Türkiye’s future production projections, sustainability strategies, and allocation zones for aquaculture. As part of the workshop, Business Futurist Ufuk Tarhan delivered a presentation titled “From Fish to Data: The T-Transformation of Aquaculture,” highlighting the importance of digitalisation and data-driven management in aquaculture. Later in the day, the Technology and Finance Session addressed recirculating aquaculture systems, innovative production technologies, and financing models for the aquaculture sector. Participants had the opportunity to review successful international case studies and exchange views on models that could be adapted to Türkiye. The Feed and Feed Additives Session focused on sustainable fish feed production, fish health, and the impact of climate change on the sector.
Sales and marketing are as important as production
The second day of the event began with sessions focusing not only on technological developments in aquaculture but also on sales, marketing, and export strategies. The commercial value chain in aquaculture, the process from marketing to export, and the rising position of Turkish salmon in global markets were thoroughly evaluated. Within the Fish Health Session, topics such as disease prevention, gut health management, and biotechnological solutions were discussed in detail. Scientific presentations also addressed practical approaches to the challenges faced by producers in the field. One of the highlights of the day was the Turkish Salmon Session, which focused on future offshore farming systems, fish health management, and the reliability of Turkish salmon in terms of human health. In addition, a presentation on artificial intelligence and robots highlighted the sector’s digital transformation process.
Cooperation across the region will boost the aquaculture sector
The third day of the event featured the FAOSEC–Türkiye Joint Session was held with participants from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Türkiye. This session created a strategic platform for strengthening regional cooperation in aquaculture across the Black Sea, Central Asia, and Caucasus regions. In another session, the Presidents of Producers’ Associations Meeting, the experiences, expectations, and solution proposals of producer associations from across Türkiye were discussed. At the end of the day, the Panel and Evaluation Session provided an overall summary of the topics discussed throughout the three-day programme contributing to the development of a shared roadmap for the future of the sector.
Aquaculture Türkiye 2026 has successfully become a showcase for Türkiye’s aquaculture sector with its high-quality content, diverse participation, and strong international visibility. It has also established itself as a key reference point for sustainable growth and global cooperation within the industry. Bringing together public authorities, private sector representatives, suppliers, academics, and international organisations under one roof, this major event delivered strong messages regarding sustainable growth, innovative technologies, climate change adaptation, and regional cooperation in aquaculture.aave
With its high level of participation and growing international recognition, the event has clearly signalled that
it will continue to expand in the coming years and build a strong institutional brand.
Buket Yazicioglu Altintas,
Ph. D Secretary General
Central Union of Aquaculture Producers of Türkiye
