Fishing in Istanbul

Vocabulary

Video: Fishing in Istanbul

Transcript

Dawn breaks over the Bosphorus.

Fishers on the Galata Bridge are pulling their first catch out of the water. They’re hamsi, or Turkish anchovies.

It’s rare for anything to bite along the coast of Istanbul this time of year.

Engin Yasar has been coming to the bridge for months, not just because he enjoys fishing — during the pandemic, Yasar lost his job as a custodian.

Engin Yasar, Fisherman: “This used to be a hobby of mine. But not anymore. I have to do it.

The pandemic is making it hard to find a job. I got fired because they wanted to save money. After seventeen years, I never learned a trade.

Thank goodness, I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, and can use it to earn some money.”

More and more people have been coming here to fish recently. Many are doing it for the same reason as Yasar: they’ve lost their jobs and can barely stay afloat by fishing.

 
Yasar is going to try to sell his fish at the market.

He’s married and has children. Every lira that goes into the household budget counts.

But today, other fishermen were faster than him. It’s been tough for fishmongers.

Fishmonger: “Sales aren’t going well now — there’s that problem with the sea.

Engin Yasar, Fisherman: “We’ll just eat the fish ourselves.

 
That “problem” is a harmful algae bloom in the Sea of Marmara that’s been drifting off Istanbul’s coast for weeks. The Bosphorus and Marmara Sea are essentially the same waters.

Now that the algae have spread aggressively, many Istanbul residents are preferring to go without fish.

 
But Yasar has no other choice: his children are hungry.

Engin Yasar, Fisherman: “My wife has started to work. So we’ve got extra income. And I think, now that they’ve lifted coronavirus restrictions, I’ll soon find regular work and will be able to get by a little better.”

This is the way hamsi are prepared, Yasar explains. And for a brief moment, he and his children forget their dire circumstances.

 
Turkey practically reopened on July 1st. Tourists from Iran and Russia are already re-entering the country.

Many casting their lines from the Galata Bridge say that’s a hopeful sign. Perhaps they can find work in hospitality.

And fishing can go back to being just a hobby.

Questions

Catfish. In the video, men were fishing from shore and on boats. True or false?

Carp. Nowawdays, is Engin Yasar fishing only because he loves fishing? Did he start fishing after he turned 18?

Tuna. Engin is a computer software engineer. Is this right or wrong? Does he still have a permanent, full-time job?

Salmon. Is Engin alone or have many others lost their jobs? Why have some people lost their jobs?

Anchovy. What does Engin do with his catch? What does he try to do with his fish? Did he sell his fish today?

Cod. Istanbul has only one problem: the coronavirus pandemic. Is this correct or incorrect?

Herring, Sardine. Does Engin live with his mother and father? Does Yasar give his fish away to his neighbors?

Eel. Are Turks optimistic or pessimistic? Are they hopeful for the future? Do they think things will get better or worse?
 
 
 
Clam, Oyster, Mussel. I go fishing. I like to go fishing. Fishing is my hobby. Yes or no? If yes, where do you go fishing?

Crab. Is fishing a popular activity in your city, town and country? Where do people go fishing? What do they catch?

Lobster. Is seafood popular in your city and country? What are some popular seafood dishes? Where does the seafood come from?

Shrimp, Crayfish, Prawn. Some people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. True or false?

Octopus, Squid, Calamari. Have you and your friends visited Istanbul?