On-the-Ground Update

Sea Snail Stock in the Black Sea Down 20% Due to Overfishing in 2022

Alper Akkurt
Published Dec 15, 2022
Sea snails (Rapana Venosa and Rapana Thomasiana), whose catch has increased due to exports to the Far East in recent years, decreased in stock by 20% in 2022 in the Black Sea. The spread of sea snails is monitored at 83 stations between Igneada and Sinop. In the study, which included Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Georgia and Ukraine, it was determined that the sea snail stock in the Black Sea decreased by 20% in 2022 due to overfishing. The sea snails feed on crustaceans in the bottom habitat (on land and in sand mussels). Overfishing also led to a serious decrease in black mussels in the Black Sea. However, being an export product, exporting to the Far East was the mechanism that encouraged more hunting. It is an invasive species, but now settled in the Black Sea. It is an important fishing resource and therefore, there is a need to ensure that its fishing is made sustainable. This 2022 season was not a productive year in terms of product quantity with the addition of bad weather conditions but suppliers expect a better season in 2023.
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