World’s Most Expensive Fish?

A fish worth $177,000? Seriously? According to the Wall Street Journal, a giant bluefin tuna fetched 16.3 million yen, which is equivalent to $177,000, in an auction at the world’s largest fish market in Japan.

The 513-pound fish was purchased by anonymous owners of Japan and Hong-Kong based sushi restaurants, and is the most expensive fish since 2001, when a 440-pound tuna sold for a whopping 20.2 million yen at Tokyo’s Tsukiji market.

The giant tuna that was caught off the coast of northern Japan, was among 570 put up for auction. Japan is the world’s biggest consumer of seafood, with Japanese eating 80% of the Atlantic and Pacific bluefins caught. The two tuna species are the most sought after by sushi-lovers.

Still, tuna consumption has declined in Japan because of the bad economy. “Consumers are shying away from eating tuna… We are very worried about the trend,” a market representative said.

Besides the dropping demand for tuna, wholesalers are worried about a growing rule for tighter fishing amid declining tuna stocks. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas in November slashed the quota for the 2010 catch by about one-third to 13,500 tons.

Via: Wall Street Journal