From the Aegean to the World: A Strong Partnership in Sustainable Aquaculture Products

A programme on sustainable aquaculture practices for young women, organised by FEAP and FAO-GFCM in cooperation with Aegean Aquaculture Products and Animal Products Exporters Association in Izmir, brought together Turkey's strong infrastructure in aquaculture, its commitment to sustainable production and the increasing role of women in the sector with international participants.

Turkish Aquaculture Sector Shared with Participants from 7 Countries
Bedri Girit, Chairman of Aegean Aquaculture Products and Animal Products Exporters Association, said: "Within the scope of the event, we shared Turkey's aquaculture sector with participants selected from Greece, Morocco, Spain, Ukraine, Algeria, Italy and Tunisia. The active role of women in the aquaculture sector in stages such as research, processing and packaging, and their contributions to the sector were observed through company visits. We visited the Kulüçkahane facility of İlknak Aquaculture, the Kulüçkahane facility of Akvatek Aquaculture Products Company, Marex Seafood facility, Emel Fish and Fish Net Company, and the fish processing facility of Ertuğ Fish (More Aquaculture) Company. On the final day of the event, we held detailed presentations at Ege University on Turkey's aquaculture sector and the country's position regarding women in the aquaculture sector, conducted laboratory visits and aquarium tours."

66 percent of Turkish aquaculture exports from the Aegean
Chairman Girit said: "In 2025, Turkey's aquaculture exports reached USD 2.2 billion, with approximately 66 percent of these exports coming from the Aegean Region. This strong performance once again demonstrated the Aegean Region's leadership in the aquaculture sector and its international competitive strength. Our event, which enables the sharing of knowledge and best practices from Turkey's strong infrastructure in aquaculture, modern production facilities, sustainability-focused approach and qualified human resources with international stakeholders, is extremely valuable in terms of strengthening women's role in the sector and contributing to the spread of sustainable aquaculture practices."

Women's empowerment brings resilience and innovation to the sector
Şahika Aşkıner, Member of the Supervisory Board of Aegean Ready-made Clothing and Apparel Exporters Association and Chairman of the Board of Management of Aegean Business Women's Association, said: "In our opening and closing events, we emphasised that women play important roles in various areas of the aquaculture chain from production to processing, research and management, and that the participation and empowerment of women in the sector is gaining increasing importance in Turkey."

Ufuk Atakan Demir, Board Member of Aegean Aquaculture Products and Animal Products Exporters Association, said: "We expressed that the inclusion of women in the sector is not only a matter of equality, but also a critical element supporting innovation, resilience and sustainable long-term development. At the closing meeting, an award was presented to the most successful project draft and a certificate ceremony was held for all participants. We thank all international participants, trainers and stakeholder representatives who contributed to the event's success by sharing their experiences, and we hope that the partnerships established will continue to increase in the coming period."

FEAP Policy and Project Manager Szilvia Mihalffy, FAO-GFCM Aquaculture Division Head Houssam Awadh Hamza, Aegean Exporters Unions Coordinator Chairman Jak Eskinazi, Aegean Aquaculture Products and Animal Products Exporters Association Chairman Bedri Girit and Board Member Ufuk Atakan Demir, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Fisheries and Aquaculture Department Head Nimet Kavuz, Aegean Business Women's Association Chairman Şahika Aşkıner, Aegean Exporters Unions General Secretary İ. Cumhur İşbırakmaz, TOBB Izmir Women Entrepreneurs Board Executive Committee Chairman Deniz Celep and Izmir-based woman entrepreneur Pelin Ömüroğlu attended the relevant meetings.