Tilapia Culture and Its Problems in Turkey

Tilapias are among the important fishes for aquaculture because of many positive characteristics and have been cultured in more than 100 countries. United States of America and many European Countries are important tilapia export centers. However, it has been met some problems in tilapia culture even in their tropical native regions. Tilapias transplanted to Turkey (to Lake Burdur) in 1970 firstly. But all the fish died. Later transplanted tilapias were adapted and taken the culture in Cukurova Region of the country. Besides to general problems observed their culture, they do generally not reach the body weight in order to market as a result of short culturing period in the regions where tilapias can be cultured in our country. So, product in demanded quality has not been able to be obtained. Minority in consumer demand because of lower quality product is among the factors restricted tilapia culture. This study was carried out with the aim of contributing to be increased of tilapia production in our country where aquaculture development was demanded and required. Distribution and reasons not to be propagated culture in Turkey of tilapias, which have a big important part among the fishes cultured in the world, were tried to be exposed. Some suggestions were made to contribute to solve the problems.