A Su’ao fishing vessel has reeled in the first bluefin tuna catch of the year south of the Diaoyutai Islands - weighing in at a whopping 216 kilos.
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An elated fishing crew has hauled in this year’s first bluefin tuna. A fishing vessel from Su’ao in Yilan County reeled in the massive 216-kilogram bluefin south of the Diaoyutai Islands.
In Taiwan's tuna fishing world, there's a friendly yet fierce rivalry between Su’ao in the north and Donggang in the south to land the first bluefin of the season. This year, Su’ao came out on top. As the boat returned to port, cheers, applause, and firecrackers greeted the crew.
The prized catch was brought in by the Chuan Chang Long No. 168, captained by Mr. Lin. Lin, who has been fishing for a decade, also earned the Su’ao “first tuna” title back in 2020, selling his catch for NT$10,000 (US$303) per kilogram. He’s optimistic that this year’s fish will hook an even higher price at auction.
To earn the title of the first bluefin, the catch must meet several strict criteria: it must be caught using longline techniques, weigh at least 180 kilograms, and be landed after April 1st. Su’ao fishermen’s association head Chen Chun-sheng (陳春生) says that the entire process must also be recorded on video to verify its authenticity and showcase the dedication and effort involved.
And judging by the catch, it’s clear that this crew’s fishing skills are the “reel” deal.