Bluefin Tuna – Worlds Most Expensive

Japanese sushi tycoon has paid $3.1m US ($4,130 AUD) for a giant tuna making it the world’s most expensive!

Kiyoshi Kimura known as the “Tuna King” of Japan bought the 278kg (612lbs) bluefin tuna at first new year’s auction in Tokyo’s new fish market.

He spent more than twice the previous record of $1.4m, which he paid in 2013. Mr Kimura told AFP after the auction that the price was higher than originally thought, but he hoped customers will come and eat this excellent tuna.

On a normal day a similar sized fish would sell for around $60,000 US. The huge price is in part about status, and creates a lot of publicity for Mr Kimura and his sushi empire, but it is also a reflection of the scarcity of large bluefin tuna.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species says Atlantic Bluefin are endangered while the Pacific Bluefin are vulnerable.