ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the collection and economy of medicinal leeches from wetlands around Lake Eğirdir, Turkey

Data used in this study were based on findings, observations, and face-to-face interviews obtained from a research performed between January 2013 - February 2016 on medicinal leech populations.

The leech collecting is carried out without any permission, by both local peoples and others especially who are from Afyonkarahisar. This causes legal problems among leech collectors. Leech collecting is not done as main job. Using small leeches (<1.5 g) that have not reached a mature size for medicinal purposes impacts the collected leech size and their market price. Leeches are sold for 40-1000 TL/kg (1 TL=0.25 €) according to season, product abundance, demand intensity, and leech size. Because of leech collecting is carried out without under an economic organization, there is no effect of leech collectors at determining the sale price of leeches. According to the catchable stock size, the export potential of medicinal leeches is approximately 1,200,000 € from wetlands around Lake Eğirdir.

The rational management of medicinal leech populations, socioeconomic benefits, sustainable products, and ecological balance will be provided by operating wetlands around Lake Eğirdir according to stock estimation studies at regular intervals and by evaluating effective marketing options under a cooperative.

Keywords: Leech sales price, leech export, ecological balance, sustainable production, stock management