Research Article

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish consumption and sales in Muğla province: An evaluation for future outbreaks

Volume: 43 Number: 3 July 12, 2026
EN TR

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish consumption and sales in Muğla province: An evaluation for future outbreaks

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the changes in fish consumption preferences and fish sales in Muğla province before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, a survey was conducted with 302 participants consisting of consumers, fish markets, and fish restaurants operating in Muğla province. The questionnaires were administered both face-to-face and online. By analyzing the collected data, a general assessment of fish consumption and sales in the Muğla region during the pre- and post-pandemic periods was carried out. The findings revealed that the pandemic process affected fish consumption and sales patterns primarily through economic conditions, accessibility, and consumer preferences. Overall fish consumption decreased from 86% before the pandemic to 81% after the pandemic, while the proportion of non-consumers increased from 14% to 19%. Although there was an increased tendency toward durable products, a shift in dietary behavior was observed, including changes in meat consumption preferences and supplement use patterns. No significant change was observed in working arrangements, as 75–78% of participants continued working in offices before and after the pandemic. Despite the recognized importance of fish consumption for healthy nutrition, price and accessibility emerged as the main determining factors affecting consumption behavior, with price concerns increasing up to 38% and access difficulties up to 20% in the post-pandemic period. Fish markets remained the dominant purchasing location (approximately 48–51%), while fresh fish continued to be the most preferred product type (>93%) in both periods. Moreover, seafood businesses were significantly affected, as 63% reported that demand was met before the pandemic, whereas this rate dropped to 33% after the pandemic. Half of the enterprises reported a decrease in sales and customer numbers, and 76% indicated that their economic situation worsened. In conclusion, the study highlights the need to further develop fish consumption culture. It also emphasizes the importance of sustainable supply chains, hygiene practices, and consumer awareness during extraordinary circumstances, providing guidance for managing similar crises in the future.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the TÜBİTAK 2209-A Undergraduate Students Research Project under the application number 1919B012101129.

Project Number

1919B012101129

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Science and Engineering Research Ethics Committee with Protocol No. 210009 and Decision No. 7 on 12/11/2021.

Thanks

We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Ersin YILMAZ, Assistant Professor at the Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, for his assistance in the statistical analysis of the survey data.

References

  1. Achouri, N., Kharrat, N., Smichi, N., Miled, N., Gargouri, Y., & Fendri, A. (2018). Nutritional properties, oxidative stability, and in vitro digestibility of oils extracted from muscles of wild and breeding eels (Anguilla anguilla). Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 42, e13519. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.13519
  2. Arslan, M., & İzci, L. (2016). Antalya ili su ürünleri tüketim alışkanlıklarının belirlenmesi. Süleyman Demirel University Journal of Eğirdir Fisheries Faculty, 12(1), 75-85. https://doi.org/10.22392/egirdir.246325
  3. Aruga, K., & Wakamatsu, H. (2024). Investigating the consumption patterns of Japanese seafood during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commodities, 3(2), 182-196. https://doi.org/10.3390/commodities3020012
  4. Atalay, M.A., Sevgili, H., Giannetto, D., Sara, G., Kanyilmaz, M., Erkan, S., & Mangano, M.C. (2024). A stakeholders’ perception: Turkish aquaculture sector under COVID-19 pandemic effect with consideration of anthropogenic stressors. Marine Policy, 164, 106153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106153
  5. Aydın, M., & Karadurmuş, U. (2013). Trabzon ve Giresun Bölgelerindeki su ürünleri tüketim alışkanlıkları. The Black Sea Journal of Sciences, 3(9), 57-71. https://izlik.org/JA64YC53JU
  6. Bayraktar, S., Ergün, S., & Ayvaz, Z. (2019). Ankara ve Çanakkale’de su ürünleri tüketim tercihleri ve alışkanlıklarının karşılaştırılması. Acta Aquatica Turcica, 15(2), 213 226. https://doi.org/10.22392/actaquatr.489281
  7. Çolakoğlu, F.A., İşmen, A., Özen, Ö., Çakır, F., Yığın, Ç., & Ormancı, H.B. (2006). Çanakkale ilindeki su ürünleri tüketim davranışlarının değerlendirilmesi. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 23(1/3), 387-392. https://izlik.org/JA63XJ43DC
  8. Çulfa, S., Yıldırım, E., & Bayram, B. (2021). COVID-19 pandemi süresince insanlarda değişen beslenme alışkanlıkları ile obezite ilişkisi. Online Turkish Journal of Health Sciences, 6(1), 135 142. https://doi.org/10.26453/otjhs.798631

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Fisheries Technologies

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 12, 2026

Submission Date

March 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 8, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 43 Number: 3

APA
Metin Hacisa, C., Şahin, E., & Alparslan, Y. (2026). Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish consumption and sales in Muğla province: An evaluation for future outbreaks. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 43(3), 259-266. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.09
AMA
1.Metin Hacisa C, Şahin E, Alparslan Y. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish consumption and sales in Muğla province: An evaluation for future outbreaks. EgeJFAS. 2026;43(3):259-266. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.09
Chicago
Metin Hacisa, Cansu, Ekrem Şahin, and Yunus Alparslan. 2026. “Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Fish Consumption and Sales in Muğla Province: An Evaluation for Future Outbreaks”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 (3): 259-66. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.09.
EndNote
Metin Hacisa C, Şahin E, Alparslan Y (July 1, 2026) Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish consumption and sales in Muğla province: An evaluation for future outbreaks. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 3 259–266.
IEEE
[1]C. Metin Hacisa, E. Şahin, and Y. Alparslan, “Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish consumption and sales in Muğla province: An evaluation for future outbreaks”, EgeJFAS, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 259–266, July 2026, doi: 10.12714/egejfas.43.3.09.
ISNAD
Metin Hacisa, Cansu - Şahin, Ekrem - Alparslan, Yunus. “Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Fish Consumption and Sales in Muğla Province: An Evaluation for Future Outbreaks”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43/3 (July 1, 2026): 259-266. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.09.
JAMA
1.Metin Hacisa C, Şahin E, Alparslan Y. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish consumption and sales in Muğla province: An evaluation for future outbreaks. EgeJFAS. 2026;43:259–266.
MLA
Metin Hacisa, Cansu, et al. “Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Fish Consumption and Sales in Muğla Province: An Evaluation for Future Outbreaks”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, vol. 43, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 259-66, doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.09.
Vancouver
1.Cansu Metin Hacisa, Ekrem Şahin, Yunus Alparslan. Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on fish consumption and sales in Muğla province: An evaluation for future outbreaks. EgeJFAS. 2026 Jul. 1;43(3):259-66. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.09