End of the Line

There’s Never Been a Worse Time to Be a Bluefin Tuna

Swim away! Quick!
Swim away! Quick! Photo: iStockphoto

As if there were any leftover doubts, some news today makes it abundantly clear just how screwed bluefin tuna is as a species.

First up: The National Marine Fisheries Service has upped the daily catch limit for Atlantic bluefin tuna, as well as expanded its fishing season; the Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit against the government to protest the new rules.

And yet! Bluefin season in Japan just opened with the sale of a 593 pounder caught off its northern coast. Closing price? $736,000, which is roughly the cost of dinner for two at Masa.

Lawsuit Filed to Protect U.S. Bluefin Tuna from Overfishing[Center for Biological Diversity]
Swank sushi: Tuna fetches record $736K in Tokyo [AP]

There’s Never Been a Worse Time to Be a Bluefin Tuna