Considering Japanese buyers are waiting at the docks and pay upwards of $15,000 for a single, fresh-caught fish, one bluefin tuna can make or break a fishing season for a lot of the East Coast commercial guys. Not mentioned in the article - Japan consumes 80% of the bluefin tuna caught in the entire world.
The bluefin is a goner. ICCAT just reduced the take quota, but many scientists want to ban international trade in bluefin completely and go with a zero take until stocks recover.
Smart move on Mitsubushi's part to stockpile as much as they can. They'll make a killing on it as demand soars and there are no more fish. If the Mexicans were smart, they'd start farming totuava as a substitute. Endangered species always taste the best!
:rofl: