Fishermen say 'Vira bismillah': Fishing season has opened

In the Karamürsel district of Kocaeli, fishermen who finished their preparations began the fishing season by setting sail amidst the cheers of the crowd gathered on the shore and fireworks displays, saying "vira bismillah."

Just as in other parts of Turkey, the Ereğli fishermen in Kocaeli's Karamürsel district completed their preparations and set sail in the hope of a bountiful new season, while citizens gathered on the shore watched these moments with excitement.

The fishermen set sail amidst the cheers of the crowd and fireworks displays.

Fishermen say 'Vira bismillah':
Fishing season has openedhttps://t.co/rOSpOFIxCj pic.twitter.com/lN9E7rSwof

— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) August 31, 2024

Colorful scenes emerged along the coastline as the fishing boats set sail.

Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın, who gave a speech before seeing off the fishermen, stated, "May they complete the season without accidents or trouble, much more bountifully than in previous years."

FISHERMEN FROM ZONGULDAK SET SAIL FOR THE BLACK SEA

In Zonguldak, fishermen set sail for the Black Sea as the fishing ban ended. Kilimli District Governor Necdet Özdemir said, "I wish our season to be auspicious for all of you."

A program was held at Kilimli Port due to the lifting of the fishing ban as of September 1. The program was attended by Kilimli District Governor Necdet Özdemir, mayors, representatives of public institutions and organizations, and fishing tradesmen.

Pointing out that fishing is a very important source of income for both the region and the entire country, Özdemir stated, "It is also a very important job. Therefore, the fact that fishing is starting as of today is very important both in terms of being a source of income for you; even a source of income for our country, and in terms of our citizens having access to natural, healthy food in greater abundance. We value this," he said.

Wishing the fishermen a busy season, Özdemir said, "Our citizens will also have access to this food, which is so cheap and so rich in protein. As of 00.00, you will be casting your nets into the sea. I hope this season will be much better than the others. I wish our season to be auspicious for all of you."

Murat Bozkurt, a fisherman for 15 years, said, "We didn't get much yield from bluefish in previous years, but this year, fishing with a multi-hook line (çapara) was permitted as of August 15. The bluefish have shown themselves. I wish all my fellow fishermen a plentiful and bountiful season."

Having completed their final preparations, the fishermen set sail for the Black Sea to catch fish.

THEY SET SAIL IN RIZE WITH FIREWORKS AND TORCHES

In Rize, with the lifting of the fishing ban, fishermen set sail with fireworks and torches, saying 'Vira Bismillah'.

The fishing ban in the seas, which began on April 15, was lifted as of '00.00' on September 1. With the lifting of the fishing ban, fishermen in Rize, as in all of Turkey, set sail saying 'Vira Bismillah'.

Fishermen, who organized entertainment before setting sail from all of Rize's ports, headed out to sea with fireworks and torches. Following a bountiful fishing season last year, fishermen hope that it will continue this year with the lifting of the fishing ban.

"MAY IT BE BOUNTIFUL"

Stating that 22 thousand tons of fish were caught in Rize in 2023 and that they hope this year will also be bountiful, Rize Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş said, "We are at the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 fishing season. We closed the year 2023 with 22 tons of catch.

We are praying this year. May the 2024-2025 season be bountiful. May it pass without accidents or trouble. Let us get abundant and bountiful maritime products. May both our fishermen who do this work earn well and our citizens eat abundant and bountiful fish. I say Vira bismillah. May it be auspicious and lucky," he said.

News Source: İHA