Top Price for First Tuna But at What Cost?

A massive bluefin tuna has been caught off Japan’s northern coast and brought a record price of $396,000 or $42 per slice of sashimi.  For more than one reason the event is attracting attention around the world.

Rushed to Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Fish Market for the first auction of the New Year, there were, none the less, concerns among the cheers.

Weighing over 340 kilogram (749 pounds), the purchasing of this giant of the sea is considered by many Japanese chefs a good luck totem for their restaurant.  Two owners of elite sushi restaurants in Hong Kong and Tokyo joined forces to place the winning bid.

Both Ricky Cheng (Hong Kong) and Yosuke Imada (Tokyo) were delighted to be able to win their rare prize known as a “Black Diamond” among deep sea fishermen.  Others were not so pleased.

As the popularity of raw fish has increased throughout the world, fresh tuna populations (along with salmon) have crashed to record lows. 

Socially responsible chefs are now shifting their sushi choices to other more abundant fish stocks allowing the tuna population to rebuild.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has created an outstanding mobile phone app that can even tell diners before they order which fish to select and which to avoid in order to help the environment.  You might consider downloading it as part of a New Year's resolution to make our world a better place.

The word “connoisseur” from Old French means literally “to know” and so to choose wisely. Today anyone who loves fine cuisine is also informed and aware that all culinary choices have impact. 

We are not just what we eat.  We are also the choices we make. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2010