Invasive Balloon Fishing in Konyaaltı

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality organized a Balloon Fishing Competition to raise awareness about the puffer fish, which is among the invasive species in the Mediterranean. Emrecan Kara, the winner of the competition; He caught a puffer fish weighing 1.5 kilograms and measuring 44 centimeters in length.

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality organized a Balloon Fishing Competition in Konyaaltı Beach to raise awareness about the invasive species in the seas, which has increased in the Mediterranean Sea in recent years. As of 09.00:20 on Konyaaltı Beach, 3 fishermen threw their fishing rods into the sea. At the end of 3 hours, XNUMX contestants who caught blowfish brought their fish to the field.

AWARDS GIVEN

At the end of the competition, which was held for the second time this year by the Metropolitan Municipality, an award ceremony was held at Konyaaltı Beach, Olbia Square. At the end of the competition, the fish caught were weighed based on the total weight. The jury consisting of the Mediterranean Fisheries Institute and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry made an evaluation. Emrecan Kara won the first place with 44 centimeters, 1 kilogram and 540 grams, as a result of the measurement procedures completed in company with the jury, Taha Enes Gökçe was the second with 30 centimeters 480 grams, and Erdinç Duman was the third with 80 grams. The winners of the competition were given a medal, a meal for 2 people and a cable car gift.

THE MOST TOXIC MOST INVESTORATIVE SPECIES

Stating that the puffer fish is considered the most poisonous and invasive species of the Mediterranean, Merve Karakuş, MSc Engineer at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Mediterranean Fisheries Research, Production and Training Institute, said, “There should be hunting pressure on them because of the damage they cause to fisheries and the ecosystem. Due to the absence of any hunting pressure on it and its uncontrolled proliferation, it causes great damage to the fishermen's fishing gear, both to the ecosystem and to the fishery. Such awareness activities for amateur fishermen are very important. It creates pressure on the population, especially if it is done before the breeding season. It is very important to reduce even one fish from the population,” he said.

THE RESULT WAS SURPRISE

The winner of the competition, 24-year-old Emrecan Kara, said, “I have been fishing as an amateur for 6 years. I did not plan to participate in the competition, but the result was a surprise. Our Metropolitan Mayor, who organized this event Muhittin BöcekThank you. We want such events to continue. I've caught blowfish before. Every time we go fishing, we come across a blowfish,” he said.