Bluefin Tuna
The largest Japanese tuna seen since 1986 was auctioned Friday at the Tsukiji Fish market after being caught in Japanese Waters. The Bluefin tuna, weighing 445 kilograms (981 pounds), sold for 3.2 million Yen (36,700 USD). The average size of a Bluefin tuna is about 250 kilograms (550 pounds) to put that into perspective. Bluefin tuna this massive are rarely seen, particularly these days as overfishing has reduced their population to a small fraction of what it once was.
The largest tuna from Japan ever sold at the Tsukiji Market was 496 kilogram monster in 1986, however the largest on record was a 497 Canadian tuna sold there in 1995. While this recent catch indicates that fish this large still exist, the likelihood of any more this size being caught is relatively low as without rational limits placed on tuna fishing, commercial harvest of Bluefin tuna will end fairly soon. The sushi scene will be changed forever.
I have always been fascinated by the creation and culture of different foods, particularly sushi and sashimi in the modern era of Japanese cuisine. I am a classically trained chef and sushi connoisseur, also having operated a food service company and enjoy investigating and experimenting with food around the world.
Wow – that´s an enormous fish!! Wish they would have left it alone, though.
I wonder if the size affects the flavor or consistency of the meat? I’ve heard that said about lobsters and other shellfish – that the larger ones are older and therefore, the meat is tougher.