Sea fish
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Thunnus thynnus
Get to know the species, pick your region, find your spot.
Other names: Mavi yüzgeçli orkinos
- Habitat
- Open sea
- Method
- Trolling · Popping · Jigging
- Family
- Scombridae
Choose your region
The information changes with the region you choose.
Where is Atlantic bluefin tuna caught?
Explore the regions or go straight to the map.
Sea of Marmara fishing spots
Aegean Sea fishing spots
Mediterranean fishing spots
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
No site-level records in this region; the information is at region level.
No fishing ground or region matches your search.
A listed spot is not a guarantee of a catch.
Sea of Marmara
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Aegean Sea
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Mediterranean
Season and suitable conditions
Check the season information for the region you chose.
Peak months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Season information is no guarantee of a catch.
Habitat
Where it lives and in what kind of water: ranges compiled by the research.
Rarely caught on a line from the shore.
Depth
0–985 m
mostly 0–100 m
Water temperature
0.5–30 °C
ideal 16–24 °C
Salinity
Full-strength seawater
17–39.5 ‰
Bottom
Lives in open water
Ranges from FishBase, AquaMaps and the literature; a general tendency, not a hard limit.
Confidence: shore type high, temperature high
Bait and tackle suggestions
Recorded baits and fishing techniques.
Lures
- Popper
- Stickbait
- Jig
In this region · Sea of Marmara
- Natural bait:
- European sardine, Atlantic mackerel, European squid; regional support: European anchovy / Atlantic horse mackerel / shrimp
- Lure:
- popper, stickbait, jig
- Technique:
- trolling, popping, jig
In this region · Aegean Sea
- Natural bait:
- European sardine, Atlantic mackerel, European squid; regional support: European sardine / mamun / sülünez
- Lure:
- popper, stickbait, jig
- Technique:
- trolling, popping, jig
In this region · Mediterranean
- Natural bait:
- European sardine, Atlantic mackerel, European squid; regional support: European sardine / European squid / shrimp
- Lure:
- popper, stickbait, jig
- Technique:
- trolling, popping, jig
Fishing rules for Türkiye
Türkiye
- Minimum size
- 115 cm
- Maximum quantity
- 1 fish
Closed season: 15 October–15 June
Single-species or mixed total; details and exceptions are in the regulation.
Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7 communiqué text
Before you go, check local area and method restrictions.
Species profile
- Scientific name
- Thunnus thynnus
- Family
- Scombridae
- Order
- Scombriformes
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Seas
- Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean
- Other names
- Mavi yüzgeçli orkinos, Orkinos
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum size for Atlantic bluefin tuna?
In recreational angling the minimum catch size for Atlantic bluefin tuna is 115 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna closed to fishing?
The closed season for Atlantic bluefin tuna is 15 October–15 June. Fishing for it is banned within those dates. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.
Which seas is Atlantic bluefin tuna found in?
In our records Atlantic bluefin tuna appears in these seas: Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean.
In which months is Atlantic bluefin tuna at its peak?
Peak periods by sea: Sea of Marmara April–October; Aegean Sea April–October; Mediterranean March–September.
Which bait is Atlantic bluefin tuna caught with?
Baits and lures on record: European sardine, Atlantic mackerel, European squid, European anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, shrimp, popper, stickbait, jig, mamun, sülünez.
Similar species
