By Eryk Michael Smith/Staff. Images via Pingtung County Govt.
DONGGANG, Pingtung — The first bluefin tuna of the season in Pingtung sold for NT$2.014 million at auction in Donggang on April 8, marking the start of this year’s Pingtung Bluefin Tuna Cultural Festival season.
The fish, caught by the Liuqiu-registered vessel Fuyuqing No. 2 (富漁慶2號), was also recognized as Taiwan’s first bluefin tuna of the year. It was jointly purchased by a seafood restaurant and a local company at NT$10,600 per kilogram, setting a new per-kilogram record.
The vessel arrived at Donggang Fish Market amid firecrackers, where Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米), American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kaohsiung Branch Chief Neil Gibson, and other officials boarded to mark the catch. The tuna measured 214 cm in length and weighed 190 kg.
Chou presided over the auction, which drew applause as bidding climbed past last year’s price.
The auction opened at NT$1,000 per kilogram and saw brisk bidding before closing at the record price, up NT$300 per kilogram from last year.
The restaurant owner, who has secured the winning bid 12 times, said half of the proceeds from reselling the fish would be donated to support disadvantaged children in the county.
Magistrate Chou said sustainable fishing policies and catch limits have helped ensure stable bluefin stocks, allowing local fishermen to secure the season’s first catch quickly. The arrival of the first tuna signals the start of the annual festival, she said, inviting visitors to Donggang to sample fresh bluefin.
Captain Hung Fu-chia (洪福家), who has 53 years of fishing experience, caught the tuna on April 5 in waters southwest of Taiwan. He said he was so excited afterward that he could not sleep and was satisfied with the final price.
The Pingtung Bluefin Tuna Cultural Festival will run from May 2 to July 5, featuring food promotions, markets, and concerts. Travel packages developed in partnership with the Taiwan High Speed Rail will also be offered.
