What makes a Bluefin tuna so valuable? This fish just sold for $3.2 million in Tokyo

A giant bluefin tuna sold for a record-breaking 510.3 million yen (roughly $3.05 million) — during the traditional first auction of the year at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market. It’s the highest price ever recorded for tuna since official tracking began in 1999, more than double the 207 million yen which a 276‑kilogram (608‑pound) fish fetched last year.

Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of the Sushizanmai restaurant chain, entered the winning bid. “When I saw the tuna, I just had to buy it,” he told Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. “The price surprised me a little, but I want as many people as possible to enjoy this tuna,”.

It surpasses the previous record — 333.6 million yen ($3.1 million), set by Mr Kimura, the self-styled “Tuna King” in 2019 and is the third time that the Sushizanmai owner has held the record.

Pacific bluefin tuna holds a special place in Japanese culture

Pacific bluefin is the largest of the 15 species of tuna and can live up to 40 years - if they are lucky enough to avoid fishermen’s nets. Once in decline due to overfishing, numbers have started to recover in recent years.

Known for its high-grade quality cuts (especially the belly otoro in Japanese), bluefin tuna is considered a delicacy in Japanese cuisine where it features in both sushi and sashimi. However, supplies are limited and with demand higher than ever, prices have risen 31 percent in the past year.

Free, global publicity

Added to current market forces, many Japanese restaurateurs see the January Toyosu fish market auction as an opportunity to generate publicity. The media attention will ensure that customers want to visit their restaurant to sample the record-breaking tuna for themselves.

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