Economic analysis of fishing enterprises made hunting pearl mullet in Van Lake

In this research, it is aimed to make socio-economic, technical and economic analysis of the enterprises where Pearl Mullet fishing is carried out in Lake Van and to reveal the problems related to this economic activity. The study contains data from 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 fishing seasons that was collected by means of data collection form face-to-face interviews with 72 fishermen holding Fisheries Licenses issued by Bitlis and Van Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry and actively engaged in pearl mullet fishing in Lake Van. The full count method was used to obtain the data. The enterprises are evaluated as the enterprises with a boat length of 12 m and below and the enterprises with a boat length of over 12 m. In addition to the economic analyzes of the enterprises, profitability, productivity analyzes and sales revenue function and profit function regression analyzes were performed. Among the total expenses in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 hunting seasons are respectively, fuel and oil expenses are 30.9%-38.1%; labor costs 30.1%-27.6%; food provision expenses 5.5%-6%; clothing expenses 0.9%-1%; net expenses 16.5%-13%; purse seine reel expenses 0.4%-0.3%; vessel maintenance-repair expenses 2.9%-2.3%; interest on loan expenses 4.3%-4%; depreciation expenses 4.1%-3.8%; general administrative expenses 3.3%-3.3% took a share. For 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 hunting seasons net profit per kg and fishing cost of 1 kg Pearl Mullet determined respectively as 1.17 ₺-1.78 ₺; 2.14 ₺-2.78 ₺. Financial profitability of the enterprises in the 2020-2021 and 2021 2022 hunting seasons, respectively, was found as 33.59%-41.83%; economic profitability 31.94%-39.84%; profitability factor 38.06%-41.37%; economy ratio 2.10-1.86; labor partial productivity 32 369.9-39 310.3; fuel partial efficiency 2 321.1-2 611.3; net partial efficiency 13.6-13.8. As a result of the sales revenue function regression analysis, the increases in total pearl mullet sales revenue caused by one-unit increase in the cost elements that make up the cost, while other variables are constant, are respectively; It has been determined that there are 2.231 units for fuel and oil costs (X₁), 1.021 units for labor costs (X₂), 1.019 units for network costs (X₃), and 1.240 units for other costs (X₄). As a result of this study, it has been determined that Pearl Mullet fishing in Van Lake is a profitable economic activity. It is thought that this economic activity contributes to employment in the rural areas around the lake and to prevent the migration of the young population from rural to urban areas. In terms of ensuring these positive contributions and sustainability, the protection of the Pearl Mullet, which is under threat, is of great importance. Keywords: Aquaculture, Economic Analysis, Pearl Mullet, Profitability, Van Lake