[Johnny B]

I was just wondering, are Atlantic giant bluefin worth serious cash? I thought I remember reading that some of these fish fetch big bucks. When I hear of 600# fish being caught I wonder, "do they sell it? How much??
Dont take this as some inexperienced guy going to hunt down a giant, I was just curious on what are done with these fish after once reading that some have been sold for for over 100K?? I just couldnt believe it. Appreciate any info.
JB

 

[620427]

$ 173,600 for a 444 pound fish

January 4, 2001
tokyo japan, at the Tsukiji fish market.
that comes out to $391 a pound.

fish was from pacific ocean off Aomori Prefecture in northern japan,
tuna from this area are sought after due to their high quality and fat content.
those fish usually command the highest prices for bluefin, due to their unusually high fat content.

many factors determine the value of a tuna.

most bluefin tuna caught in the atlantic are worth between $4-25 a pound. many variables determine the price the tuna is worth :

size
color
fat content
oil/sheen
condition of meat
condition of fish
shape of fish
weight
time of year
market supply and demand
and many others.

ps. contrary to what many tuna fisherman think about sushi, eating it from a fresh caught fish is NOT the best taste.
bluefin need to age in order for them to develope the smooth silky taste and texture that is desired. the PRIME time for sushi from a bluefin tuna is 3 days after capture, that is when the flavor is at its peak.

 

[618629]

Want Tuna?

Release Em...Take a photo,and ...Release em. We aint in it for the MONEY!!!!!

 

[620083]

Your right about that. The richest one in the states was worth $85,000. Over in Japan they will sell it by the oz. You have to land one first and have the proper licensing and equipment.

 

[bennie]

release them? i dont think so. when a working guy can make thousands of dollars by catching/selling a giant bluefin tuna he has every right to do so. especially when he follows all of the rules and laws that govern.

 

[620427]

US Record Fish $ 68,503

that is the highest recorded price for a bluefin tuna sold in the US.
the fish was 709 pounds.
that is $ 96.61 per pound
year was 1991

there are stories of a fish that sold for $ 85,000 during 1996, but there is no record of a fish being sold for that price.

 

[618696]

Hudson Hustler,
Read the post again. Was curious because of something I read that I couldnt believe, just wanted info. If your not going to answer the question, why respond?? Thanks guys for the responses, completely answered my question. And if a working man could make more on 1 fish than he could in a year he would. (legally)

 

[Johnny B]

The last post was from me not Ricky K, I was using a friends computer when I posted it.

 

[B.Attitude]

Hudson...

I don't fish for money either.That doesn't mean I don't need it because I do.If I hooked up and landed a fish worth thousands of dollars you can bet I would try to get rid of that fish in a hurry.It can make a nice boat payment.
paulie

 

[614050]

the bluefin that get the most $$$ are in prime quality and NOT caught on sporting tackle. if you landed a large (say 200# plus) bluefin on sporting tackle, it would have way too much lactic acid in it's flesh; they can literally cook themselves fighting so hard. if you didn't have the facilities to ice the ENTIRE fish down immediately, the flesh could induce histamine poisoning. in the end, your fish could be graded so poorly as to be nearly worthless. worth killing? you decide...

 

[620574]

Arm Chair Anglers

The days of $25.00 per pound fish are over. With the Mediterranean, Japan and Australia netting and hold GBTs in pens the supply side has a constant flow and with Japan's economy the prices have never reached the 80s and early 90s wow prices.

The average prices for the past years have been "no bid" to about $16.00 per pound. And Crag, most of the fish you hear about are caught on rod and reel. The seiners have pre-arranged prices that are around $8.00 per pound and the harpoon boats typically do a little better, but they only get 50 tons.

And the 170k fish was from what I heard a little bit of bull ****. The boat that caught it was a Japanese boat, it was the first fish of the year and the Japanese with the pride thing and all wanted the best priced fish to be a Japanese caught fish. I'm sure it had to be real good quality, but I think it was a case of over bidding to save face.

 

[Hipshot]

TUNA BUCKS

I THINK A 6 OZ. CAN OF STARKIST IS WAY OVERPRICED!!!!!

 

[613084]

I HATE tuna fish !!!!

 

[618198]

lol

 

[togmaster]

The days are over for now

Hey guys back in the late 80's throught the early 90's was the Tuna boom. this is when susi took off and fish were sold as high as 70.00 a pound depending on the condition and fat content. But those days are gone. there are very few buyers paying those prices. the 2002 price I would guess with the economy being low would be around 20.00 a pound tops on a top fish! Remeber the econmoyt moves the price of fish as well as amount harvested. Japan has other sources then the USA now so that also hurt the fish price. Hey maybe when they do a lot more regs the fish price will go back up? But for now being in such a weak economy I don't think you'll see a big increase! tightlines

 

[Capt. Marc]

BLUEFIN TUNA BACK
Thunnus thynnus 　
Origin Size Supply (PCS.） Unsold Quantity Prices in Yen/Kilos
Max Average Min
JAPAN 　 3 0 5,500 4,500 4,000
JAPAN(SET NET) 　 　 　 　 　 　
JAPAN(SEIN NET) 　 65 16 3,000 2,201 1,700
JAPAN(FARMED) 　 　 　 　 　 　
BOSTON 　 5 3 8,000 　 5,300

8,000/120 yen/$ = $66.66/kg / 2.2= $33/lb (take away shipping, commision, fees, etc).

Capt. Marc

 

[Capt. Marc]

66.66/2.2 = $30.

cal batteries weak

 

[616553]

tuna and $

every buffet restaurant and deli has sushi and guess what they use? tuna, raw, usually yellowfin.those fish are taking a pounding.