PINGTUNG (TVBS News) — In a spectacle blending ancient maritime tradition with modern commerce, a coveted bluefin tuna fetched more than NT$2.3 million (US$70,100) at a ceremonial auction that marks the official opening of Taiwan's tuna season. The event, held Friday (April 11) in Taiwan's southern fishing hub of Pingtung County, saw a local corporation claim the prestigious "first tuna" (第一鮪) for the third straight year, cementing its dominance in an annual ritual that draws national attention and signals the commencement of the 2025 Pingtung Black Tuna Cultural Tourism Season (屏東黑鮪魚文化觀光季).
The fishing vessel "Mao Feng Xiang" (茂豐祥號), operating from the coastal township of Donggang (東港), a traditional fishing community in southern Taiwan, made the celebrated catch late on April 5 in waters southeast of the island. After confirming their prize, the crew returned to port early on April 7, where waiting officials verified and designated their catch as the season's inaugural tuna. The celebration culminated Friday morning as the fishing boat made a triumphant harbor entry, escorted by Taiwan Coast Guard (海巡署) vessels through a corridor of fireworks and cheering spectators. Pingtung County Magistrate Chou Chun-mi (周春米), the elected head of the local government, personally fastened a ceremonial badge to the massive fish, officially recognizing its cultural and economic significance.
The county magistrate officiated the high-profile auction, which featured a surprising artistic element when popular Taiwanese entertainer Tung Chih-cheng (董至成) appeared costumed as renowned Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her distinctive polka-dot aesthetic. Competitive bidding commenced at NT$1,000 (US$30) per kilogram and escalated dramatically to NT$10,300 (approximately US$314) per kilogram. While this per-kilogram price equaled the previous year's record, the slightly smaller size of this season's first catch resulted in a total auction value approximately NT$800,000 (US$24,400) lower than 2024's headline-making sale. ★