Historic Bonito Abundance in Marmara Sea
Istanbul and Tekirdağ have witnessed an unprecedented “bonito rush” in the Marmara Sea, with over 500 tons of bonito caught since the beginning of the year. This remarkable abundance, which experts say hasn’t been seen in 30-40 years, has brought approximately 250 million Turkish Liras in revenue to fishermen and led to a significant drop in bonito prices.
Unprecedented Catch and Economic Impact
The surge in bonito, a larger relative of the palamut (bonito), with each fish weighing over 3 kilograms, has been concentrated in the waters off Istanbul and Tekirdağ. Fishermen report encountering dense schools of bonito, a sight they haven’t witnessed in decades, with similar scenes only previously documented in old Istanbul photographs. This extraordinary catch has had a direct impact on the market, making bonito more accessible to consumers.
Serdar Can, a board member of the Istanbul Seafood Commission Agents Association (İSKOMDER), stated, “Previously, a pair of bonito would cost around 8,000 Turkish Liras. Since January 1st, it has dropped to 3,500 Turkish Liras.” Can also noted that due to the increased availability, bonito, traditionally used for lakerda (cured fish), is now being consumed fresh more widely.
Biological Significance and Fishermen’s Perspectives
Experts view this intense fishing activity as a positive indicator for the biodiversity of the Marmara Sea. The sudden and massive influx of bonito suggests a healthy and thriving marine ecosystem. Captain Doğan Ege, a fisherman with 25 years of experience whose family has been in the business since 1976, described the past month as a “tremendous bonito rush” in the Marmara Sea. He highlighted the unusual nature of this season, as bonito typically offers a short fishing window in deep, limited areas.
“Normally, it lasts ten days a year, and you might catch them for only one day. This year, there has been very intense activity off Silivri, Tekirdağ, Marmara Island, and Kapıdağ,” Ege explained, emphasizing the exceptional nature of the current season.
Broader Context of Turkish Fisheries
This remarkable bonito season follows a record-breaking year for Turkish aquaculture and fisheries in 2025, with total production exceeding 1 million tons. Anchovy catches alone reached 245,000 tons. The sector’s foreign trade performance also continued its upward trend, with seafood exports surpassing 2.2 billion dollars, making a significant contribution to the national economy. The current bonito boom further solidifies the positive trajectory of Turkey’s fisheries sector.
