clipped from: www.environmentalgraffiti.com   

Though spending has decreased due to the current economic crisis, some things, such as the Giant Bluefin Tuna, remain marketable. On February 6th, a tuna sold for $173,688.73 dollars at the largest wholesale fish market in Tokyo. The tuna (called Honmaguro in Japanese) weighed in at 202 kilograms. Although these tuna can weigh as much as 330 kilograms (660 pounds) and grow to three meters (10 feet) in length, this latest tuna sold for the highest price since 1996.

Head of a tuna
Three tuna swimming
The Japanese, who consume a quarter of the world’s tuna, take their sushi seriously. Being a part of the first tuna catch of the year makes the new record-setting fish even more appealing. Eating a fish that has gained such media attention is a sign of prestige for the Japanese.
The new record-setting tuna was caught in the Pacific Ocean in Northern Japan. Typically, Pacific Bluefin Tuna are more highly valued than their Atlantic Tuna counterparts.
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