Marine Fisheries in Yalova Province and Socio-Economic Structure of Fishermen

In this research, it was aimed to determine marine fisheries and the socio-economic structure of fishermen who caught with fishermen boats registered to Yalova province. Fishing ports in Yalova Province have been visited to determine the status of fisheries in Yalova coasts. In these visits, data on number, structural characteristics of the fishing boats, fishing nets and species compositions of the catch were collected. In addition, statistical data on fishery were obtained from the relevant public institutions. Socio-economic structures of the fishermen were determined by analyzing the answers given by the fishermen to the questions on face-to-face interviews. In the survey, it was determined that 87% of the boats used in the fishing were smaller than 12 m length and 91% of which were made by wood. On the other hand, 80% of the fishermen stated that they have been fishing because they have no other occupations. Fishing was the father’s profession for 18% of fishermen and hobby for 2%. None of the fishermen was female, only 8% of them were under age 30. In terms of education level, there was no university graduate fisherman, 75% of whom were high school graduates. Only 1% of fishermen expressed satisfaction with their income, and 70% of them want to stop fishing in the future because of the low yield. Most (92%) of fishermen stated that they had a second job due to income failure. It is understood that commercial catch has been marketed mostly through commissioners