FEED COST/PRODUCTION INCOME ANALYSIS OF SEABASS (Dicentrarchus labrax) AQUACULTURE

In the study, the ratio of the cost of the feed used during the period from caging of seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) to its harvest to production income was determined. The data, which were obtained from a company breeding seabass in the Aegean Sea, on the fish amount and feed amount used during a production period were evaluated. Moreover, the average wholesale price of seabass during the harvest period in 2016 and the average price of feed for each period were also evaluated. Other operating costs during a production period (rent, fry, salary, equipment purchases, depreciation, marketing, fuel, etc.) were ignored in the study. Feed in aquaculture, with its role in feeding, its environmental impact and cost, is an issue emphasized in the sector. Quality feeds are required to obtain required amounts of growth in fish. Quality feed production depends on raw material sources. In fish aquaculture, feed cost has the highest share in the total cost during the production period. According to the study, feed/production income ratio of fish weighing 100-150 g, which do not have a market demand, was 0.85, whereas feed/production income ratio of fish weighing over 200 g was 0.64. Although the market demand for seabass is over 300 g, feed cost of fish weighing below 200 g was proportionately high and the facilities were able to earn income with the sales of fish weighing over 350 g.