A View to the Striped Venus (Chamelea Gallina L., 1753) Processing Industry

Abstract

in Turkey. In study, recent (2000-2005) processing-production activities of seafood plants processing and marketing striped venus (Chamelea gallina L., 1753) in Turkey were evaluated. The study was conducted through interviewing managers of 6 striped venus processing plants. The capacities of the plants ranged between 55 and 200 tons/day with a total indoor production area of 100 000 m2. The plants employed around 500 workers and 55 technical staff. None of them solely depended on striped venus processing and marketing. They were also processing, storing and marketing other fishery products, fruits and vegetables during closed seasons for striped venus fishing. Entire processed striped venus were stored and exported to EU countries, particularly to Italy before following fishing season. Sum of striped venus processed between 2000 and 2005 by those 6 plants was higher than official production figures of the species. Here we have evaluated the importance of striped venus fishery in Turkish fisheries, processing and marketing issues, characteristics of current processing plant and potential impacts of current processing capacities of the plants on the striped venus stocks.