TOKYO, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- A Bluefin tuna sold for $37,500 during the first auction of the new year at Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo.
While the pricetag might seem outrageous to most people for fish, it is a bargain at this auction. This is the fourth year Kiyoshi Kimura, president of Kiyomura Co., has won the bid, and he got off easy for the 180-kilogram (400-pound) tuna.
In 2013, Kimura paid a record $1.76 million for a 222-kg tuna and in 2012 he paid $736,700 for the first fish of the auction.
Kimura owns a sushi restaurant chain in Japan.
"From the amount of fat, the quality of meat to the shape, everything is perfect. I'm happy. It's a great buy," Kimura said after the auction Monday.
The fish sold at this world renowned market is considered to be the best catch. The low price this year was due to a better catch quantity. The lowest level for tuna prices was in 2007 after favorable weather conditions led to a great catch for fishermen.
