Turkish legislation on the wholesale and retail seafood markets was published in 2002, and the aim of this study was to compare important Turkish and European markets and determine whether or not the rules articulated in this legislation have actually been put into the practice. The structure and hygiene conditions of the wholesale and retail fish markets along the east coast of Turkey and in some European countries were compared vis-a-vis this legislation. To enable reliable comparison of retail fish markets and branches of a well-known gross market, the markets of İstanbul, Bodrum, Bobingy, and Bielefeld were inspected. No differences among them were found among retail markets, and they were determined to be working in accordance with the conditions outlined by the legislation. Wholesale fish markets in İstanbul, İzmir, Rungis and Madrid were also compared and to one another discussed vis-a-vis to the Turkish legislation of 2002. Structural and hygienic problems were detected in two major wholesale fish markets in Turkey when they were compared to wholesale markets in Rungis and Madrid. It is clear that the Turkish legislation which was published on 2002 has not been fully applied in the two main wholesale fish markets in Turkey. Efforts should be made to revive the legislation for the sake of maintaining sanitation.

Turkish legislation on the wholesale and retail seafood markets was published in 2002, and the aim of this study was to compare important Turkish and European markets and determine whether or not the rules articulated in this legislation have actually been put into the practice. The structure and hygiene conditions of the wholesale and retail fish markets along the east coast of Turkey and in some European countries were compared vis-a-vis this legislation. To enable reliable comparison of retail fish markets and branches of a well-known gross market, the markets of İstanbul, Bodrum, Bobingy, and Bielefeld were inspected. No differences among them were found among retail markets, and they were determined to be working in accordance with the conditions outlined by the legislation. Wholesale fish markets in İstanbul, İzmir, Rungis and Madrid were also compared and to one another discussed vis-a-vis to the Turkish legislation of 2002. Structural and hygienic problems were detected in two major wholesale fish markets in Turkey when they were compared to wholesale markets in Rungis and Madrid. It is clear that the Turkish legislation which was published on 2002 has not been fully applied in the two main wholesale fish markets in Turkey. Efforts should be made to revive the legislation for the sake of maintaining sanitation.