The cheapest tuna in the world is generally Skipjack Tuna, widely used in canned products for its low cost, though Yellowfin is also common in budget options, with Bluefin being the most expensive due to scarcity and demand for high-end sushi. Prices vary by region and processing (fresh vs. canned), but skipjack is the go-to for affordable, everyday tuna.
A 243-kilogram bluefin tuna fetched a record $3.2 million at Tokyo's New Year auction, making it the most expensive tuna ever sold. Does it hurt the tuna to cut it's tail off that way? Are you trying to tell me that they could sell that tuna for over 4 million dollars in product?
Demand: there's relatively low demand for the (fresh) fish and seafood actually available around our seas, so most of it is sold abroad. What's left is therefore more expensive and/or imported. Add on to that global supply issues, fuel costs, transport disruption, lack of workers etc etc etc.
The sale was the first auction of 2026. Kiyomura Co. confirmed it paid about $3.2 million for the fish, or 510.3 million yen. One of last year's buyers, Onodera Group, paid $1.3 million for a 608-pound tuna.
The pricey fish was caught off the coast of Oma in northern Japan, a region widely regarded for producing some of the country's finest tuna.
Bluefin tuna sells for record $3.2 million at year-opening auction at Tokyo fish market. TOKYO (AP) — A massive 243-kilogram (535-pound) bluefin tuna sold for a record 510 million yen ($3.2 million) at the first auction of 2026 at Tokyo's Toyosu fish market.
Japanese Standards and Practices
Fish used in sushi and sashimi must meet high freshness standards and are often flash-frozen to kill parasites.
A 1000 lb bluefin tuna, we called a “Grander,” could be good payday. Generally they are between $8 to $35 per pound, depending on fat content and the time of the year in which they are caught.
Atlantic bluefin tuna reach maturity relatively quickly. In a survey that included specimens up to 2.55 m (8.4 ft) in length and 247 kg (545 lb) in weight, none was believed to be older than 15 years. However, very large specimens may be up to 50 years old.
[Hidden Wonders of Japan] Massive Bluefin Tuna Sold for Almost $800,000 at Toyosu Auction. The prized bluefin tuna was caught off the shore of Cape Shiriya by a father-son fishing duo from Oma, Aomori Prefecture.
A Permit-Only Fishery: Know Before You Go
The recreational bluefin tuna fishery in English waters is permit-only. That means: Only licensed vessels (charter or private) are allowed to participate. Every person on board must be aware of and follow the permit conditions.
Of all the curiously uncommon gems Nevada has to offer, the Devils Hole pupfish is the rarest. In fact, it's the rarest fish in the entire world—and it can only be found here in the Silver State. Although there are many different kinds of pupfish, Cyprinodon diabolis has dwindled to between 100-200 specimens.
Tuna is brimming with two types of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, which have been linked to reduced inflammation, improved brain function, and a lowered risk of heart disease. Did you know that tuna is one of the few natural food sources of vitamin D? It's true!
Fish worth a million dollars are typically rare, high-quality bluefin tuna sold at Japan's New Year auctions for prestige and good fortune, or exceptionally rare Japanese koi bred for unique colors and patterns, with recent sales reaching over $3 million for tuna and $1.8 million for koi. These prices reflect cultural value, culinary demand, and the fish's status as a collector's item rather than just food.
The rarest type of tuna is generally considered to be the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus).
On January 5, 2026, during the traditional New Year's first auction (a highly symbolic event where bidders pay premium prices for luck and prestige), a 243-kilogram (about 535-536 pounds) bluefin tuna fetched 510.3 million yen (approximately $3.2 million USD or £2.4 million).
The head of a 276-kilogram bluefin tuna that was auctioned for 207 million Japanese yen (about 1.3 million U.S. dollars) at the first tuna auction of the New Year in Tokyo, Japan, on January 5, 2025.
GenSan, San Juan's newest sister city, rightfully holds the title of the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, and witnessing its world-class operations firsthand proves exactly why.
Last week, A 276kg bluefin tuna sold for 207 million yen ($1.3M) at Tokyo's Toyosu Market. It is Japan's 2nd most expensive priced tuna! It was caught in Oma (a town in Japan) and went to Michelin-starred Sushi Ginza Onodera.
Once opened, canned tuna will remain fresh for up to four days in the refrigerator or up to three months in the freezer. While it can last this long, the sooner you enjoy it, the fresher the flavor and better the texture.
As you may have guessed, the world record tuna is an Atlantic bluefin. In 1978, an angler off Nova Scotia caught a massive bluefin weighing almost 1,500 pounds. While there have been longer tuna fish caught, this is believed to be the heaviest tuna ever brought in by an angler.
The Japanese 80% rule, called Hara Hachi Bu (腹八分), is a Confucian teaching to stop eating when you're about 80% full, not stuffed, promoting mindful eating, moderation, and longevity, common in Okinawa, a region with many centenarians, helping to prevent overeating and support healthy digestion by allowing the brain time to register fullness.
The traditional diet in Japan is built around a base of rice and other grains, with plentiful consumption of vegetables and fruits, and also fish, but relatively little animal fat, meat and sweets. In Japan, the presentation of the food is very important, and particular attention is given to the colors and textures.
Those containing only cooked fish and/or shellfish
By 5-6 years old, a healthy child's immune system should be strong enough to graduate to raw sushi with the rest of the family. No magical age, grade level, or number of exposures to sushi will prevent the occurrence of an illness from contaminated food.