New Record: This Tuna Fetched $736K at Auction in Japan
- Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:38am by
Liz Klimas
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Most expensive bluefin tuna on record. (Photo: KeystoneUSA-ZUMA / Rex Features via The Telegraph)
TOKYO (The Blaze/AP) — This tuna is worth savoring: Its record-setting cost was nearly three-quarters of a million dollars.
The bluefin tuna caught off northeastern Japan fetched 56.49 million yen, or about $736,000, Thursday in the first auction of the year at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market. The price for the 269-kilogram (593-pound) tuna beat the then record-setting 32.49 million yen fish we reported on last year.
The price translates to 210,000 yen per kilogram, or $1,238 per pound — also a record, said Yutaka Hasegawa, a Tsukiji market official.
The winning bidder is Kiyoshi Kimura, president of the sushi restaurant chain Sushi Zanmai. Media reports quote him saying that he wants to “liven up Japan” and help it recover from last year’s devastating tsunami and economic stagnation.
Kiyoshi Kimura cuts a bluefin at his Sushi Zanmai restaurant near Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. (Photo: AP/Shizuo Kambayashi)
The Telegraph has more on Kimura’s thoughts on the purchase:
“Rather than having it taken away overseas, my wish is for Japanese people to be able to enjoy good tuna together,” Kimura told reporters after landing his record catch.
“Despite the March 11 earthquake and the sluggish economy, I want to lift up Japan’s spirits and urge people to work hard together,” he said.
The Telegraph goes on to report that Kimura would not increase the price of sushi made with the fish at his 46 Sushi Zanmai restaurants in Tokyo.
Watch The Telegraph’s news report on the sale:
The tuna was caught off Aomori prefecture.
In other large, expensive tuna news, we reported in Nov. 2011 about a man who caught a 881-pound tuna valued at nearly $400,000 off the coast of Massachusetts and had it confiscated by the feds. According to reports, the tuna was confiscated because it was caught with a net and not a rod.
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Comments (46)
thegoldman
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:00pmvalued at nearly $400,000 off the coast of Massachusetts and had it confiscated by the feds. According to reports, the tuna was confiscated because it was caught with a net and not a rod.
The tuna was worth $5.00 a pound and sold for under $5000.00..not $400,000.00…
Report Post »wethepeoplepress
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:56pmGlenn would llove to kill every last TUna, Deer etc if he could…. His ignorance is never ending in regards to illegal immigration, environmental and renewable energy, besides that he is great.
Get back to the Constitution and get off the religion Glenn, it is what America needs.
Report Post »chicago76
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:58pmWhy do all you wacko lefties always name yourselves after we the people or some such malarky? Like you are speaking for everyone. Everyone knows your a moron by your names.
Report Post »PPMStudios
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:31pmYeah but, mix in some mayo, pickle, and throw it between a couple slices of bread, and it‘s still just a ’tuna sandwich’……
Report Post »Starknerd
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:14pmBut an “Iron Chef” could turn that mix into enough food for 30,000 people for fourteen years….urr…somethin’ like that. I know the school lunch lady could anyway.
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:20pmSorry Charlie!
Report Post »nueces
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:12pmBluefin do not reproduce until they reach around 600 pounds. The obvious rarity of such large animals is proven by the prices. Japs will fish like sheep eat grass. They have no sense of responsibility.
Report Post »dashi
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 6:48pmhey Grand Wizard, relax.
Report Post »GrumpyCat
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:12pmWhy is a big tuna worth so much more per pound?
Report Post »nueces
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:15pmFirst its Bluefin. Second the big ones are astonishingly rare now. The mature fish has more flavor as well.
Report Post »DizzyBlueBaby
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:07pmTuna – it’s what make life worth living.
Report Post »LimaBean
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:36pmMy husband is a sport fisherman. He’s gone fishing (for blue fin, yellow tail, albacore, etc.) for over 20 years, several times a year. It was a very pleasant surprises when he and his buddies started to go salmon fishing. Don’t get me wrong, tuna is yummy (prefer mahi mahi). But, after 20 years….it tends to be nothing special.
Report Post »Gary_K
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:20pmDoes this tuna glow in the dark?
I would not eat any fish that was caught in the northern Japan area.
Report Post »Free2speakRN
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:24pmI never thought of that. There may be something to it if there are more.
Report Post »Phoneguy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:04pmIs this that stolen fish?
Report Post »OniKaze
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:17pmNope.. The one the fed’s stole was over 800 lbs. this one was just under 600 lbs..
I am sure that the Fuhrer and his cronies are probably having sushi on the menu for his remaining time in the white house.
Report Post »lodgerat
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:59pmI just bought a can of tuna for $1.79. I think the guy got screwed…lol :-)
Report Post »Just being silly….bored I guess
P C BE DAMNED
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 7:41pmYou make more sense bored than most trying to think. Thanks and I agree.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:58pmOur Communist Government confiscated the one caught off the New England coast.
Report Post »Daniel
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:57pmRaw fish. They call it sushi, I call it bait.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:33pmDid it include shark fins and dolphin?
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:48pmYou ever notice how Asians seem to think everything is an aphrodisiac? I think PP envy could be a factor
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:10pm.
Caught off the coast of Japan?????
Bet if they turn out the lights, the thing will glow in the dark……….
Report Post »Chappy123
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:13pmI was thinking the same thing.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:31pmI’m thinking “What the He** makes that fish so damn expensive?” Correct me if I am wrong they also intend to eat the damn thing raw, do they not?? Well to each his own, me I’ll stick to a good bone in rib eye, med rare, with baked potatoe and salad, thank you very much…….Just sayin’
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:40pmBigjay
Report Post »Do you agree with Dan Quale?
SMACKD0WN33
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:10pmThose evil shadow lurking Jews drove up the price. It’s all been detailed how they will infiltrate the world fish market and gouge the Gentiles while swimming in a bathtub of free Gelfite in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
Report Post »Watchyer6
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:19pmYou are truly a moron.
Report Post »concealled9mms
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:09pmyea and i know a ****** that makes 500 a trick
Report Post »concealled9mms
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:06pmyes and now the news is out the japs will further deplete the worlds ocean . large blue fin were common years ago . in fact so were sharks and whales now they are thinning out the oceans around the world for those also. their latest assult is on dolphins. can you imagine they will take a great shark cut off its finns and toss it back to die so they can have a bowll of soup. these little turds should be boycotted for every damn thing they make. years ago i could lobster fish on oceanside beach pier in cali . it was not uncommon to come home with a few nice big lobster. not anymore when the japs saw the lobster the party was over they would illegaly keep 3 and 4 inch ers killing of them also . i cant count how many times i have seen fish and game bust them for undersized abalone also. its sad in a way knowing what used to be . its all gone now
Report Post »blazingaway
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:03pmfree advertising world wide … that’s what he bought.
Report Post »Nemo13
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:58amI’m in the wrong job. I just need to catch 2 or 3 of those and retire.
Report Post »oldsoldier10
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:57amto hell with goldline, i am gona get me some tuna!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:55amSo instead of giving the money to help the people rebuild homes .. they are going to give them some fish?
Unbelievable.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:59amAnd yet in our own country we have a Fed govt taking fish caught from those who want to sell them to support their own families.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:05pmAmazing isn’t it Snow …??? World is upside down .. inside out.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:18pmSo true CATB. Makes a person want to start a Blue-fin Tuna farm and do some good with the money.
Report Post »YellowFin
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:48amUnbelievable!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:44amThats a bigga tuna…. Might wanna test it for radiation !!!
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:47amMan those dumba55e5 at Starkist are wasting their time for 50 cent a can.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:43amThey probably thought it was a whale.
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