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A rare mass migration of large Atlantic bonito, locally known as torik, has been recorded in Türkiye’s Marmara Sea for the first time in 30–40 years, significantly boosting fishing activity off the coasts of Istanbul and Tekirdag.
According to information obtained by an Anadolu Agency correspondent from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, more than 500 tons of large Atlantic bonito have been caught since the beginning of the year, generating an estimated 250 million Turkish lira in income for fishermen.
Torik is the mature and larger form of Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda), with individual fish typically weighing over 3 kilograms. Fishermen say such dense and sustained schools have not been seen in decades, with similar scenes previously appearing only in historical photographs of Istanbul.
The rare torik run comes as Türkiye’s fisheries sector continues to post record figures. In 2025, total seafood production, including capture fisheries and aquaculture, exceeded 1 million tons for the first time. Anchovy catches reached 245,000 tons, while seafood exports surpassed $2.2 billion, according to official data.
The sudden abundance has pushed market prices lower. Istanbul Fishery Commissioners Association (ISKOMDER) board member Serdar Can said large Atlantic bonito previously sold for around 8,000 lira per pair, but prices have dropped to about 3,500 lira due to increased supply.
Veteran fishing captain Dogan Ege, whose family has been in the industry since 1976, said the fish appeared across a wide area including Silivri, Guzelce, Tekirdag, Marmara Island and the Kapidag Peninsula. He attributed the phenomenon to stronger water flow from the Black Sea, which pushed the fish through the Bosphorus into the Marmara Sea.
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