Socio-ekonomic analysis of aquaculture operating managers in Bitlis province (Turkey)

This study was conducted to determine the socio-economic features of inland aquaculture managers in Bitlis Province (Turkey). This study was carried out on five operative inland trout farmers which are registered in Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry of Bitlis Province in 2017. Aquaculture production was 215 metric tonnes per year but project capacity was 190 metric tonnes per year. 80 % of production was cultured in raceways and 20% of them in cages. The water that used for aquaculture was obtained generally from spring water. Managers said that trouts were mostly sold to local restaurants and fewer amounts were sold as retail. It has been seen that the age of the managers changed between 43-61 and most of them are low level of education. They have social assurance or retired. It was stated that most of them are fisherman and only one is farmer. It is noteworthy that the employees of the facilities are mostly male and the working women are family members. Most of employees are married. 50 % of the employees are primary school graduates, 27 % are middle school graduates and 23 % are high school graduates. No college graduate was available. Managers stated many problems and they requested that supportings should be given to fish feed which is large share of expenses instead of productions. Keywords: Aquaculture, Manager, Socio-Economic Analysis, Bitlis.