Giant bluefin tuna, motorcycle-sized, sells for $1.3 million in Tokyo

A giant bluefin tuna, weighing as much as a motorcycle, fetched $1.3 million at a Tokyo auction. The massive fish, prized for its size and quality, set a new record for tuna sales. This high-profile transaction highlights the intense demand for premium tuna in Japan, where it is considered a delicacy in high-end sushi restaurants.

The winning bidder at a Tokyo fish market revealed they spent $1.3 million on a tuna this Sunday, marking the second-highest price ever at the prestigious New Year auction.

Michelin-starred sushi chain Onodera Group stated they paid 207 million yen for the 608-pound bluefin tuna, which is roughly the size and weight of a motorcycle. This is the second-largest sum recorded at Tokyo’s opening New Year auction since data collection began in 1999.

For five consecutive years, these influential buyers have secured the top price, garnering media attention and exclusive bragging rights in Japan. “The first tuna represents good fortune,” said Onodera representative Shinji Nagao after the auction. “We hope people enjoy it and have a great year.”

Last year, Onodera Group purchased the top tuna for 114 million yen. The record-breaking auction price was 333.6 million yen for a 612-pound bluefin in 2019 when the fish market moved from Tsukiji to a new facility in Toyosu.

The winning bid that year came from Kiyoshi Kimura, the self-proclaimed “Tuna King,” who runs the Sushi Zanmai chain. During the COVID-19 pandemic, auction prices for New Year tuna dropped as public dining was restricted and restaurant operations were limited. Pacific bluefin tuna are the largest tuna species in the Pacific, with adults reaching up to 10 feet long and 1,000 pounds in weight.

Although classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Pacific bluefin tuna’s population has been rising, with recent assessments showing the fish has exceeded international conservation targets ahead of schedule, according to NOAA.

For questions or comments write to writers@bostonbrandmedia.com

Source: cbsnews‍