ISTANBUL — A rare surge of tuna bonito (torik) has been recorded in the Sea of Marmara, marking the first time in 30 to 40 years that fishermen have encountered such large and dense schools of the species off the coasts of Istanbul and Tekirdağ.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 500 tons of tuna bonito—each weighing over 3 kilograms—have been caught, generating an estimated 250 million Turkish lira in revenue for the fishing sector, according to information obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Tuna bonito, considered the larger form of Atlantic bonito (palamut), is typically found in deep waters and appears only briefly in limited areas. Fishermen say that in past years, the fishing season for torik rarely lasted more than a few days. This year, however, the abundance has been unusually sustained and widespread.
Veteran fishing captain Doğan Ege, whose family has been in the trade since 1976, said the scale of this year’s migration is unprecedented.
“This year we’ve seen an extraordinary influx of torik,” Ege said. “It appeared across a wide area, including Silivri, Güzelce, Tekirdağ, the Sea of Marmara Islands, and the Kapıdağ Peninsula. Normally, you might catch torik for one day in a ten-day window. This year has been completely different.”
The increased availability has also driven prices sharply lower. Serdar Can, board member of the Istanbul Fishery Brokers Association (İSKOMDER), said that the price of a pair of torik has fallen from around 8,000 lira to as low as 3,500 lira since January 1.
“Torik was rarely seen on dinner tables before,” Can said. “This year’s abundance has made it far more accessible to consumers.”
Traditionally used to make lakerda, a cured fish delicacy, torik is now being consumed more widely due to the surplus. Experts note that the species typically migrates from the Black Sea into the Sea of Marmara and then toward the Dardanelles.
The torik boom comes amid broader gains in Turkey’s fisheries sector. Total seafood production surpassed 1 million tons in 2025, including capture fisheries and aquaculture, setting a new national record. Anchovy catches alone reached 245,000 tons, while seafood exports exceeded $2.2 billion, making a significant contribution to the national economy.
The return of other species such as bluefin tuna, mackerel, and gurnard to the Sea of Marmara is also seen as a positive indicator for aquatic biodiversity. Officials attribute the recovery to improved fisheries management, effective inspections, and policies aimed at balancing conservation with sustainable production.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök