Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate socio-economic structure and problems of small-scale fisheries in Samandağ, Arsuz, İskenderun, Payas, and Dörtyol districts of Hatay Province, in the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Technical and physical features of fishing equipments, socio-economic characteristics of fishermen, economic analysis of fishery activity and the problems faced by fishermen were examined. A total of 317 boats were found to be registered in the small-scale fishing activity in these regions. The data were obtained face to face from 209 fishermen who are mainly engaged in the fishing activities in the Samandağ, Arsuz, İskenderun, Payas and Dörtyol coastal areas. A total of 40 questions were asked to the fishermen. Small-scale fishery is a source of income for many people, particularly in small towns and fishing areas with low-capital investments. Small-scale fisheries also contribute to the healthy nutrition of the people of the region. Fisheries plays an important role in human protein requirements. There is an increasing need to supporting bodies or programs to get a sustainable small-scale fishery in these coastal regions. There is also a serious risk for small-scale fishermen and their families whose lives are related to fishery resources, which are getting decreased in these coastal areas.