The Impact of Scale on the Economic Sustainability and Resource Management of Commercial Fishing in Türkiye

This study investigated the impact of scale on the economic sustainability of commercial fishing in Türkiye. The study material was the 2020 Fishery Statistics micro-dataset comprising 1858 vessels in five different size categories. Economic performance indicators were estimated using partial budget analysis, while scale effects on catch value were examined through a regression model. The findings indicated significant differences among vessel categories in terms of technical, operational, and economic performance characteristics. Larger vessels demonstrated a higher catch value, gross profit, and net profit. Labor and energy costs constituted the main part of the operational costs across all categories. This study concluded that commercial fishing was economically profitable, the extent of which increased with scale. The regression analysis showed that catch value increased with tonnage, horsepower, days at sea, and crew size. However, the number of days at sea did not peak in the largest vessel category, suggesting that beyond physical capacity, operational management and fishing skills may also play a critical role. This study recommended that fishery policy in Türkiye should either support the sustainability of small-scale vessels through subsidies or focus on large-scale vessels while implementing strategies to address the socio-economic challenges faced by small-scale fisherman, particularly regarding employment.