1.7 million reasons to catch a tuna in Japan

[reefsquater]

How much is a commercial bluefin permit in Japan?

why bluefin might just be endangered





Even at 24 bucks a piece, it doesn't sound like a winner to me!

[JBird]

$3,603 a pound. Wow!

Don't know if a fish like that is a marketing ploy but what typically is the price paid for blue fin tuna that are shipped over seas and does anyone know what the average market price is when they're sold over there. Can't believe some of the numbers tossed around for these fish.

Dakota.

[SaltLife1980]

And we wonder why the blue fin population is going down.. Its sick how much they pay for a fish.. which means there is a good deal of black market illegal sales

[reefsquater]

I have read a bit about it, am no expert but this is what I believe is true.

It's the first fish of the new year that gets bid up each yer. This year, 1.7 million is over well over last year. It's a marketing and status fish.

For the most part, bluefin here go at an average of 10-12 bucks, sometimes less, sometimes more. It changes often, supply and demand, of course grading of the fish plays a big part too.

The Japanese wholesale market is typically in the 30-40 range. Of course this fluctuates a lot too!

The end game has consumers paying 25 plus for a small piece of bluefin belly at Tokyo sushi bars.

Sushi is wide spread and you can get cheap sushi in markets all over Japan, but atmosphere and high end city markets dominate the bluefin market.

[1captainron]

Almost as much as Elephant Tusk, Tiger Bone or Rinno Horn, and look what's happining to them......The beauty of these animals has been destroyed by the all mighty dollar, mostly from China and Japan.

[stevelikes2fish]

Originally Posted by 1captainron

Almost as much as Elephant Tusk, Tiger Bone or Rinno Horn, and look what's happining to them......The beauty of these animals has been destroyed by the all mighty dollar, mostly from China and Japan.

It'll only be a matter of time before the GBT's are extinct.

[njboarder]

Originally Posted by reefsquater

...It's the first fish of the new year that gets bid up each yer. This year, 1.7 million is over well over last year. It's a marketing and status fish...

reefsquater is correct. It's only the first fish, almost always caught off of Japanese coast.
The guy who bought it will lost money on this fish since no way in hell he could sell it for what he paid, but the marketing side of the deal makes it worthwhile and he'll make that money back within a few month, then some more.

[Flukemeister1]

Originally Posted by dakota560

Don't know if a fish like that is a marketing ploy but what typically is the price paid for blue fin tuna that are shipped over seas and does anyone know what the average market price is when they're sold over there. Can't believe some of the numbers tossed around for these fish.

Dakota.

Japanese are crazy into "firsts" and that was probably the first tuna of the new year. It gives whatever restaurant that ends up with it bragging rights. They will then charge a premium for any dish that includes "the first tuna of the new year".

[fishfinder]

This happens every year but this years number was quite dramatic, someone was in dire need of some luck. It's a customary thing, the first fish of the year always brings big money as it is said to be good look. Don't quit your day jobs just yet.