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A giant bluefin tuna has sold for a staggering 510 million yen ($3.2 million) at Tokyo’s annual New Year’s auction, setting a new record for the rare fish.
The 243-kilogram specimen was the star of Monday’s predawn auction at the Toyosu fish market, snapped up by Kiyomura Corp.
The company is owned by Kiyoshi Kimura and operates the popular sushi Sanmai restaurant chain. Mr. Kimura is a regular winner at the prestigious event, and his prize money surpassed the previous record of 334 million yen ($2.1 million) he set in 2019.
The pricey fish was caught off the coast of North Omagh JapanKnown as the home of premium tuna, it sells for 2.1 million yen ($13,360) per kilogram ($6,060 per pound).
Hundreds of tuna are sold at the early morning auctions every day, but prices for Oma tuna are significantly higher than usual, especially at auctions celebrating the New Year.
Pacific bluefin tuna was previously a threatened species due to its popularity in sushi and sashimi, but its population is recovering due to conservation efforts.