TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The first tuna catch of the year fetched a record NT$3.52 million (US$108,000) at auction on Wednesday (April 17).

On Sunday (April 14), the crew of the Tsai Fa No. 668 (再發668號) operating out of Yilan County's Su'ao Township caught a massive black skipjack tuna. As it was the first tuna caught over 180 kg, the Tsai Fa's captain, Lee Ying-chieh (李映潔), was awarded the title of “First Tuna Catch of the Year,” said the Yilan County Government. 

Other criteria for the fish to be considered the first tuna of the year include registration of the vessel in Su'ao, the use of longline fishing, and capture after April 1. For the 32-year-old Lee, this is the second year in a row he has won the honor, making him the first back-to-back winner. 

On Sunday, Lee and his crew of six Indonesians set out for a designated area off northeast Taiwan by the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement. When the fish was caught, it was estimated to be over 200 kg.

The crew immediately radioed Su-ao Fisherman's Association, halted fishing operations, and headed to Nanfang'ao Fishing Harbor, arriving early on Monday morning (April 15). 

The catch was evaluated and certified by an appraisal committee composed of members from the Su-ao Fisherman's Association and purchasers, who confirmed it as this year's first tuna. It weighed in at 269 kg and was measured at 2.53 meters in length. 

Yilan County Magistrate Lin Zi-miao (林姿妙) presided over the auction on Wednesday. After numerous buyers vied for the enormous fish, the winning bid was NT$13,100 per kg, meaning that the 269 kg tuna sold for NT$3,523,900.