The Forgotten Bluefin
Glen’s Impressive Catch – 441 pound Pacific Bluefin Tuna.
That’s a whopping 200kg Otoro and US$1.5 million if it’s anything to go by the crazy Japanese fish auction! Even so, the high prices do not necessarily reflect exceptionally high fish quality.
Bluefin are the largest tuna and can live up to 40 years. They migrate across oceans and can dive more than 4,000 feet. Bluefin tuna are made for speed: built like torpedoes, have retractable fins and their eyes are set flush to their body. They are tremendous predators from the moment they hatch, seeking out schools of fish like herring, mackerel and even eels. They hunt by sight and have the sharpest vision of any bony fish. There are three species of bluefin: Atlantic (the largest and most endangered), Pacific, and Southern. Most catches of the Atlantic bluefin tuna are taken from the Mediterranean Sea, which is the most important bluefin tuna fishery in the world. – WWF
The purchasing of single bluefin for such a remarkably high price, at the Tsukiji Fish Auction, has become an annual cultural event in Japan. In 2011, the record breaking tuna sold for US$396,000. Last year, they tipped the scales at US$736,000. This year the record breaking bluefin tuna blew the previous records out of the water, fetching a whopping US$1,760,000 at the auction block, making this 489-lb tuna the most expensive fish ever purchased in the world!
This 489 pound or 222 kg bluefin was auctioned off for 155.4 million Yen or $1.76 million on 4th January 2013 with other sites reporting between to 1.78 – 1.8 million (depending on Yen’s exchange rate at time of reporting).
It all started the day I went to Parkway with Keef and met Ady at the lottery corner. Ady said he was going fishing with Glen early next month. Lo and behold… next month came.
Eugene, Jason. Ady and Glen – eagerly awaiting to board.
All aboard that’s going aboard!
Departure at Singapore Changi International Airport.
Saltywater Tackle
North Carolina State where the magic is about to begin… where Glen and his buddies may hold a record or two eh?
Eugene, Shengyu, Glen, Jason and Ady on board Sea Breeze.
Because of our time difference, Glen was having breakfast while I was composing my Oh Crab! post in the middle of the night. What’s the time difference between Las Vegas and Singapore? He started WhatsApping me the pictures of his fishing trip in OBX, North Carolina State, a few days ago and I thought they would be great blogging material, so here we have it… Bluefin Tuna Fishing organised by Saltywater Tackle 🙂
I think I’ve got a big one… somebody help!
The Pacific Bluefin Tuna is also known as the Forgotten Bluefin because of overfishing issues and blame for the precipitous decline on fishermen’s propensity for taking juvenile tuna population out of the water before they have had a chance to reproduce. So please fish responsibly!
Glen, together with 4 of his buddies, took turns to fight for 2 hours 15 minutes to reel in this monster size of a bluefin in OBX, North Carolina.
Glen together with his buddy anglers are currently holding the record for top water fighting the bluefin they’d caught and later released into the sea.
Glen tired out after putting up a good fight with the fish.
The next day, his friend caught a smaller bluefin weighing 100+kg and this time, the boatman had it slaughtered. The boys brought it back to their 3 level cottage for a scrumptious sashimi meal. The leftovers were cooked in rice porridge the day after for breakfast.
Paul guided Glen and his mates during this fishing trip.
Tada… the 100+kg bluefin tuna that was brought home for the freshest sashimi anyone could eat!
I’m sure these boys are coming back overloaded with omega fats!
The Big Catch!
Outer Banks, North Carolina State – 3 level cottage with 4 bedrooms, a living and kitchen housed the boys during their fishing days.
The Outer Banks (OBX) is a major tourist destination recognised for its temperate climate and considerable expanse of open beachfront. OBX, a 320km length of narrow barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina and a small portion of Virginia, covers most of the North Carolina coastline.
Bluefin Tuna Steak… Look at that tender well marbled slab of red meat!
I bet the fatty morsels just melt in the mouth 😉
Bluefin tuna is prized for its tender red meat.
The best slices of fatty bluefin known as ‘o-toro’ in Japanese, can easily sell for 2,000 – 8,000 yen per piece at Tokyo sushi bars. The usual serving size of one slice is 1 ounce or approximately 28g.
Glen’s hot ride in Las Vegas – 6.2L Chevy Camaro from Hertz: US$800 per week inclusive of insurance.
Watch out for the Dung Beetles, lol… 😀
The Bellagio
Do you ever stop to smell the flowers?
Some pleasures savoured at Monta Ramen, Bellagio, Caesar Palace and Hooters, Las Vegas, USA.
Brooklyn – Chinese Food Cravings.
Guys love to shop too!
New York! New York!
Feels like a boy again – Central Park with Big Bird!!!
Singapore – New York – North Carolina – Las Vegas – New York – Singapore soon!!!
Happy holidaying 🙂
Photos Credit: courtesy of Glen and friends.
Info on Bluefin: WWF and Andrew Revkin (Dot Earth – auction report).
