Technical and Economical Investigation of Rainbow Trout (Onchorhychus mykiss) Production Farms in Fethiye District (Turkey)

Muğla province has an important economic role in agricultural revenue of aegean region with 51 % share in rainbow trout production. considering the economic contribution of rainbow trout farms to the socio-economic situation of this region, the analysis of current situation and problems has a vital importance in maximising the profitability of these farms. fethiye district is the main location which 66% of trout farms in mugla province has been settled. therefore, technical and economical situation of rainbow trout (onchgoryncus myciss) production farms in fethiye district were investigated and analysed. the 12 farms over 30 tonnes of annual production capacity in ören village of fethiye district has been visited and surveyed with their owners and technical administrators by face to face in 2013. nearly 75% of the researched farms were placed on the hillside and the average usable land per farms was recorded as 26 756 square meters. more than half of the farms have over 201 tonnes of annual production. fish asset constitutes 53 percent of active capital. operating cost per 100 square meter production area is 1 197 190.63 tl and production cost is 1 257 050.16 tl. feed expenses constitute 53 % of operating costs. the main problems of farms are the feed expenses and low market prices for the produced fish. moreover, lack of record keeping and financial planning leads to lower profitability ratios in the researched farms.