Abstract

This study was carried out on the export and economic status of freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylusEsch. 1823) in Turkey. Due to the fact that there is a very low domestic consumption of freshwater crayfish in the country, Turkey had been the largest provider of A. leptodactylus to Western Europe from 1970 until 1986. The peak production of the country was attained in the early 1980s, with over 5.000 tons being exported in 1984. After the occurrence of crayfish plague in Turkish waters, crayfish stocks reduced dramatically and harvest declined from approximately 5.000 (in 1984) to 200 (in 1991) tons annually. The harvest of crayfish in Turkey between 2005 and 2009 was 809, 797, 816, 783 and 734 tons, respectively and the commercial values of crayfish, based on these years were 3.033.371, 3.209.396, 3.381.094, 3.366.426 and 2.713.494 USA dollars. The harvest of crayfish in total was 13.648 tons from 2000 to 2009 in Turkey, and the total commercial value was approximately 40.343.870 USA dollars. Majority of crayfish harvest has been exported to European countries and especially Sweden.

Key words: Astacus leptodactylus, freshwater crayfish, harvest, exports, economy, Turkey.