~ A festive event for Japan after the Tsunami of 2011.
On Jan 5th, a 593 lb. bluefin tuna was auctioned at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market for a record $736,000. But at $1,240 a pound, there is no way the buyer, Kiyomura Co., can make a profit. In fact, even though the fish is indeed of the highest quality, it is estimated that the company’s sushi chain (Sushi-Zanmai) will incur a lost of about $600,000. (Last year’s record price was $416,000 for a tuna sold to a Hong Kong restaurateur.) This year, the Kiyomura Co. wanted the best bluefin tuna to remain in Japan to boost the morale of the Japanese people after last year’s string of disasters hit their nation (but 80% of the world’s bluefins are already consumed by Japan).
~ Bluefin tuna's sustainability is at risk.
However, this seemingly innocuous publicity campaign is considered by environmentalists as a reckless stunt that can endanger already depleted bluefin stocks (currently at about 20% of what it used to be). This advertisement for "gold with fins" and overpriced sushi in general send the wrong signal to fishermen, encouraging further over-fishing. And fishermen from Japan and around the world may now switch from catching other fish to catching the bluefin. Many fishermen are also expected to violate quotas to try to make their fortunes. In addition, in their mad dash to catch the bluefin, fishermen may employ unethical and damaging fishing practices (such as drift netting and longline fishing) that can harm other marine life such as turtles, sharks, and dolphins.
~ Bluefin quotas ignored.
[Updated Insert – June 20, 2013: Read our latest article on the embattled bluefin, "Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million!" Click here.]
UPDATE: Rhino Poacher Gets 30 Years In Jail
(September 5, 2013) Read our latest update on species going extinct, click here.
UPDATE: Prince William To Head New Wildlife Group
(September 12, 2013) Read the latest update on Prince William, click here.
UPDATE: Lion/Tiger Hybrid Breaks Guinness Record
(September 18, 2013) Read our latest update about animals that break world records, click here.
UPDATE: "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert
(November 4, 2013) Read our latest article on endangered species, click here.
UPDATE: Corey Knowlton Pays $$$ To Kill Black Rhino
(January 17, 2014) Read our latest update on rhino hunting, click here.
UPDATE: Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate!
(March 14, 2014) Has the Asian carp broken into the Great Lakes? Read our latest article on this environmental disaster, click here.
UPDATE: Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China
(September 11, 2014) Read our article about the plight of sharks and the shark fin trade, click here.
UPDATE: New Vegan Video Causes Controversy
(October 22, 2014) Read our article about veganism and the vegetarian diet, click here.
For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- New Vegan Video Causes Controversy Click here.
- Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China Click here.
- Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate! Click here.
- "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert Click here.
- Escaped Python Kills Two Boys Click here.
- Film: Blackfish Exposes SeaWorld Cruelty Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million! Click here.
- Justin Bieber Attacked Over His Monkey Click here.
- Moron Lets Infant Play With A Gorilla Click here.
- Prince William Attacks Rhino Poachers Click here.
- Exotic Animals To Return To Zanesville! Click here.
- 50 Exotic/Rare Animals Killed In Ohio Click here.
