Tuna auctions in Japan are famous for fetching sky-high bids, and this year was no exception. At the first auction of 2025 held at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market, a massive Pacific bluefin tuna weighing 608 pounds sold for a jaw-dropping $1.3 million (207 million yen). This price marks the second-highest bid recorded at the market since it began keeping track in 1999. The current record remains the $3.1 million paid for a 612-pound tuna in 2019.
The gigantic fish, about the size of a motorcycle or an adult grizzly bear, was purchased by the Michelin-starred Onodera Group, a high-end sushi restaurant chain, in collaboration with the tuna wholesaler Yamayuki. According to Onodera Group’s president, Shinji Nagao, the first tuna auction of the year is considered a symbol of good luck. “Our wish is that people will eat this and have a wonderful year,” Nagao told reporters.
Onodera Group has become a regular winner of Toyosu Market’s prized tuna auctions, having secured the top bid for five consecutive years and in 2018. The company plans to serve the fish at its 13 restaurants located across Japan, China, and the United States.
A Remarkable Catch from Oma, Japan
The enormous tuna was caught by a seasoned fisherman, 73-year-old Masahiro Takeuchi, near the town of Oma in northern Japan’s Aomori prefecture. Known for producing premium-quality tuna, Oma’s waters are highly regarded by sushi chefs. The fish’s high-fat content, influenced by the tuna’s cold-water habitat and diet, results in a rich taste and perfect texture for sashimi. Locally, Oma tuna is often referred to as “black diamonds” due to its high market value and exceptional quality.
Takeuchi, who caught the tuna on a longline early Saturday morning, was thrilled by the outcome. “It was as fat as a cow,” he told reporters. “It’s like a dream. I’m always worried about how many more years I can do this job, but I’m incredibly happy.”
Bluefin Tuna: A Culinary Treasure and Conservation Success
Pacific bluefin tuna, one of the largest migratory fish species in the world, are known for their impressive size and unique physiology. While the average Pacific bluefin weighs around 130 pounds, some individuals can grow to nearly 1,000 pounds. These powerful fish are warm-blooded, a rarity among fish species, and can maintain their body heat in frigid waters thanks to a specialized vascular system called a countercurrent exchanger. This adaptation allows them to thrive in cold environments and dive to depths of up to 1,800 feet. Their speed and strength enable them to cross the Pacific Ocean in just 55 days.
The species’ rich, buttery flavor has made it a prized ingredient in Japanese cuisine, particularly for sushi and sashimi. However, high demand and overfishing led to severe population declines over the years. Conservation efforts, international agreements, and strict fishing limits have since contributed to the species’ recovery. According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Pacific bluefin tuna stocks have been steadily rebuilding, with U.S. commercial fishers gradually receiving higher catch allowances as a result.
In 2022, U.S. fishers caught more than 800,000 pounds of Pacific bluefin tuna, earning over $2.2 million. Regulations have since increased the allowable catch, with a cap of 2.2 million pounds in place for the 2023-2024 period. For the 2025-2026 season, the ceiling is expected to rise further.
Ryan Wulff, assistant regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, praised the species’ recovery efforts. “The rebuilding of the Pacific bluefin stock is not only a success from a biological perspective but is also a success for the fishing communities and consumers, leading to greater economic opportunity and more U.S. seafood available for U.S. plates,” he said in an October 2024 statement.
With its recovery on track and its continued status as a culinary delicacy, Pacific bluefin tuna remains a symbol of both environmental stewardship and luxury dining, especially in Japan, where the annual tuna auctions continue to draw global attention.
Image/Source: smithsonianmag
