Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

One of Cyprus' joys is fresh fish but it's often confusing to work out exactly which fish is being offered and if it's the right season to eat it...

So I've got a spreadsheet that I've been putting together for some time and updated today that lists the English names Turkish names and the months in which they are at their best and for some those months when it's best not to eat them...

If anyone wants a copy of the Excel spreadsheet just let me know...

Groucho, yes please.

leejoan666@gmail.com

Hi,

Could you let me have a copy as well please?

If it's OK with you, I can 'Park' it somewhere where people can easily download it, and save you multiple emails...

Thanks in advance!

We were brought up to only eat shellfish f there was an 'r' in the month, and the same goes for pork. I still abide by that even though we now have fridges and freezers!

Yes please brilliant idea terry2366@hotmail.com

Sober took a map I had for the Lefkosa Immigration Department directions after I was inundated for copies and posted it for all to download. I suspect, Groucho. you might wish to avail yourself of the same service. Incidentally, please may I have a copy please?

rasteel@hotmail.com.

Sent to all - Keith if you could park it that would be great....

Where's it parked? Not on a yellow line I hope. I'll have a copy please - mmillermrk@gmail.com

Thanks

Hi, I've uploaded the two version in pdf format, so that you won't need any special software to read them.

One version with the fish names listed in English name order, and one in Turkish name order.

All Groucho's work - nothing to do with me!

Just click on the link below to view or download.

Ta muchly!

Thank you Groucho. Much appreciated.

(Thank you too Keith )

Many thanks. Very useful.

Cheers Keith.

We went and bought some fresh Sea Bass from the fish shop (If it swims we have it....) in Kyrenia yesterday, put it on the BBQ - it was beautiful. But according to the chart it should have been "not good".

Could you clarify what these grades mean? Or am I just a gifted chef .

wondering1 wrote:Cheers Keith.

We went and bought some fresh Sea Bass from the fish shop (If it swims we have it....) in Kyrenia yesterday, put it on the BBQ - it was beautiful. But according to the chart it should have been "not good".

Could you clarify what these grades mean? Or am I just a gifted chef .

You'll have to ask Groucho

wondering1 wrote:Cheers Keith.

We went and bought some fresh Sea Bass from the fish shop (If it swims we have it....) in Kyrenia yesterday, put it on the BBQ - it was beautiful. But according to the chart it should have been "not good".

Could you clarify what these grades mean? Or am I just a gifted chef .

The chart and grading are based on the relevant Fisheries Ministry's publications of when breeding activity should reduce our intake to conserve stocks and also the seasons in which the fish feed on things you really don't want to eat as a secondary consumer.... They are not called bottom feeders for nothing!

Of course you can often get away with it.... but some fish are likely to cause tummy upsets if consumed at the wrong time of year...

Fish frozen when caught in its prime and sold out of season will often be fine if freshly defrosted and properly cooked....

A copy for me please, Groncho! briancbinns@yahoo.com

You can view or download it from the link on message 9

Crikey, what brilliant info, mind I have not heard of half the fish so not sure I would order it. Good job though & thanks

Many thanks,--so useful for fish eaters.

Thank you, I e just taken a photo of it for phone. Great posting

Great resource, many thanks.

Keithcaley wrote:You can view or download it from the link on message 9

Hi keith, just noticed on the chart most of the x are in the Turkish closed season for the large fishing boats.

please remember that levrek (sea bass) and cipura (sea bream) are generally farmed in big nets out at sea and artificially fed. you will see the word 'kultur or cultur' on the label where the fish is priced. the taste is good and remains the same all year round.

if you want to buy 'wild' bass or bream then look for the word 'deniz' (sea) on the label next to the price. normally 5tl or so more expensive per kg but the taste is a lot better.


its normally only the sea bream and the sea bass that are farmed in the mediterranean. and of course most salmon will be too.

sah do good 'wild' bass and bream and they are labelled as so.

i will add that there is nothing wrong with eating farmed fish. its fresh and good, but you cant beat the sweetness of wild fish!!

karmels wrote:

Keithcaley wrote:You can view or download it from the link on message 9

Hi keith, just noticed on the chart most of the x are in the Turkish closed season for the large fishing boats.

Mel,

That's presumably why the Fisheries Ministry do not advocate certain species at a time of year when they are not as likely to be freshly caught....

If the boats are not allowed to fish to conserve stocks then the 'fresh' fish being sold might possibly not be fresh at all....

That's why I put together the information for those who want to know the provenance of the fish they are eating and whether or not it's as fresh as the fish monger or restaurant says it is....

Thank you Groucho for preparing the list and Keith for making it easily available to print out from here.

Where is Mineri on your list.....

lally wrote:Where is Mineri on your list.....

It's not yet...

I would suggest that Seriola dumerili the binomial name internationally recognised for the Greater amberjack is probably right for Mineri.

It is a difficult one to tie down because Sarikuyruk (Turkish) is said to be Mineri in Cyprus in several references and is also misnamed Mediterranean horse mackerel (that's another fish) and thus appears to be ambiguous in its name usage.... It seems Mineri is therefore a 'Cyprus' local name for what it known as Sarıkıyruk balığı in Turkey

So here is an updated PDF with the Mineri added as Amberjack = Sarikuyruk

As it turns out it is freshly available all year and good to eat with more abundance from August to October...

amberjack is actually leer fish, or 'litzer' in the south. this is not mineri.

oneillbox wrote:amberjack is actually leer fish, or 'litzer' in the south. this is not mineri.

http://www.fishbase.org

The Amberjack and Greater Amberjack are different fish... I have not included the Amberjack as Mineri, only Greater Amberjack.

I have done a fair bit of digging and have come to the conclusion that what in Cyprus is called Mineri is widely thought to be Greater Amberjack.

That is why I have listed Greater Amberjack as the equivalent of the Turkish name Sarikuyruk.

If you know otherwise i.e. you know exactly which fish Mineri is if not Gtr Amberjack, then do tell please....

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/species ... T=leerfish

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leerfish

I don't think Leerfish is Amberjack

oneillbox wrote:amberjack is actually leer fish, or 'litzer' in the south. this is not mineri.

Is the fish you refer to as Mineri, actually Hapsetia pinguis? or Atherinomorus lacunosus aka Hardyhead silverside?