Dusk was setting in as we pass through the trees of Akyaka Forest Camp to Maden Iskelesi, where we were to board the fishing boat Menekse. Hot tea and a warm welcome awaited us. Then the lights were extinguished and we set out. The bright spotlights visible ahead came from a lightboat 9-10 metres in length. When fishing the 28 metre Menekse uses two lightboats which go ahead and attract the fish to their light. The fishing boat is radioed if the fish are the right species, and the net is then played out in a circle around the lightboat. Next the rope which runs around the bottom of the net is pulled in, gathering up the net like a bag. This is winched up and the catch emptied into tanks on deck. About 2 o'clock in the morning an announcement over the loudspeaker called a break. When the captain called the crew back to work, 10-15 people emerged from the deck head and began to fold up the nets ready for a second catch.

Beneath the bright lights they worked swiftly and harmoniously as a team. Another shoal was surrounded, drawn up, and a flickering stream of bonito, mackerel, sardines, anchovies and horse mackerel poured onto the deck. In the first light of dawn the work took on the fantastic appearance of a choreographed show. To the shouts of 'Vira! Vira!' ('Carry on!') the net was hauled in for the last time, and the boat headed back to harbour. The fish had to reach the market as fast as possible and the crew worked at full speed packing the fish into 300 crates. As we followed the hilly shoreline the scent of thyme, rose geranium and resin floated across the water.

Kayaf Ali, a local fisherman who spends most of his time with his wife on their boat, chatted with us on the deck as he carefully went over his nets ready for the next night. Many couples go out fishing together here. As evening came around again we were invited to eat dinner on another fishing boat belonging to Birol Reis. The table was already laid on deck and there were several guests besides ourselves. Later that night when it was time to go fishing we were invited along. The boat carved its way through the black water beneath a star filled sky. When the boat returned at dawn it dropped us in the bay at Akyaka Forest Camp.