First bluefin tuna of the 2019 season confirmed, to be auctioned with great fanfare on 4/20

First bluefin tuna of the 2019 Pingtung Bluefin Tuna Cultural and Tourism Season confirmed! On the 17th, the Donggang District Fishermen's Association carried out an "identity verification" on the bluefin tuna caught by the Liuqiu-registered fishing boat "Man Dafeng No. 2," confirming that the hooking of a live fish, the fishing grounds and other conditions all met the criteria for the first bluefin tuna, and that it weighed more than 180 kilograms, taking this year's bluefin tuna season "first catch."

After confirming the first bluefin tuna, the Pingtung County Government and the Donggang Fishermen's Association immediately settled on a time for the auction, scheduling the first bluefin tuna auction for 10:30 a.m. on April 20 at the Donggang Fish Market, with County Magistrate Pan Meng-an serving as auctioneer. On that day there will also be warm-up performances and tasting activities at the venue, and fellow residents are welcome to come together to witness the auction price of the first bluefin tuna.

The Donggang District Fishery Radio Station received a report at 11 a.m. on the 15th from the Liuqiu-registered fishing boat "Man Dafeng No. 2" that at around 6 or 7 a.m. it had caught a bluefin tuna (male) in waters southeast of Green Island at 20 degrees 7 minutes north latitude and 122 degrees 58 minutes east longitude, with an estimated weight of about 200kg. To vie for the title of first bluefin tuna, captain Hong Bai-hong rushed back to port at full speed. It returned to Donggang at around 3 p.m. on the 16th, and the Donggang District Fishermen's Association immediately conducted a fish inspection on the morning of the 17th to confirm whether it was the "first bluefin tuna." Many members of the public also came upon hearing the news to catch a glimpse of the first bluefin tuna.

When the bluefin tuna slowly emerged as it was hoisted from the cabin of "Man Dafeng No. 2," its robust body drew gasps of admiration from the onlooking crowd. The appraisal committee members judged from the bluefin tuna's eyes, mouth, skin glossiness and the color of its belly and tail whether it was a live fish when hooked, and first weighed it to confirm its weight. Finally, Fishermen's Association Director-General Lin Han-chou announced that Man Dafeng No. 2 had won the first catch of the first bluefin tuna.

Hong Bai-hong, now 38 years old, began going out to sea fishing with his father at the age of 25. After his father retired more than 7 years ago, he took over the captain's role, and in just 7 years as captain he caught the first bluefin tuna, setting a record for the shortest time from entering the fishing industry to catching the first bluefin tuna.