Within the framework of its Statistical Capacity Building (StatCaB) Programme, SESRIC organised a three-day Study Visit on “Fishery and Aquaculture Statistics” on 13–15 January 2026 in Ankara and Trabzon, Republic of Türkiye, for the benefit of experts from the Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources (MOFWR) and the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS).

The study visit was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MOAF) of the Republic of Türkiye and implemented in close collaboration with the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) and the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia (FAO-SEC).

The programme commenced in Ankara with an opening session hosted by the Directorate General of Fisheries and Aquaculture of MOAF, where participants were introduced to the structure and performance of Türkiye’s aquaculture sector, including its management framework, legislative setting, production capacity, export potential, and institutional arrangements. Technical sessions delivered by MOAF and TurkStat experts provided detailed insights into data collection practices, information systems, and the compilation and dissemination of Türkiye’s aquaculture and marine fisheries statistics. FAO-SEC also contributed with a presentation on relevant regional initiatives and perspectives.

The second and third days of the study visit were held in Trabzon, featuring technical sessions as well as an extensive field visit and study tour at the Central Fisheries Research Institute (SUMAE) of the MOAF. The sessions enabled participants to observe and discuss applied statistical and research practices in fisheries and aquaculture, including presentations on regional fisheries statistics, data collection and evaluation using acoustic methods, and the collection and assessment of fisheries data, delivered by senior experts from SUMAE and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.

In addition, the guided study tour at SUMAE provided participants with an overview of the Institute’s research infrastructure, data analysis facilities, and ongoing scientific activities that support evidence-based policymaking in fisheries and aquaculture. The final day further focused on data collection and evaluation in aquaculture, as well as the assessment of the regional processing sector, offering an end-to-end perspective on statistical production, from data generation to analytical use. Gambian representatives also presented the overall fishery sector and challenges that they have faced in data production in Gambia. Besides, SESRIC has briefed both Turkish and Gambian representatives on the statistical activities and databases of the Centre and demonstrated the OICStat and OIC-CIF data and information portals. A field visit to the sea cages where aqua cultural production is observed closely was also conducted. 

The study visit provided a platform for knowledge sharing, peer learning, and institutional exchange, enhancing the participants’ understanding of integrated statistical systems for fisheries and aquaculture and strengthening cooperation between OIC Member Countries in this critical domain.

SESRIC will continue supporting the statistical capacity development efforts of its Member Countries through targeted activities under its StatCaB Programme, in line with the priorities of the OIC Statistical Commission (OIC-StatCom), as well as its Strategic Vision 2030 and the Programme of Action for 2026-2030.

For more information on the SESRIC Statistical Capacity Building (StatCaB) Programme, please visit: http://www.oicstatcom.org/statcab.php

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