The bluefin tuna season in Donggang kicked off, and the Pingtung County Government announced the fishing conditions for "No. 1 tuna". The picture shows Pingtung No. 1 tuna.

(Photo by reporter Chen Yanting)

[Reporter Chen Yanting/Pingtung Report] The Pingtung County Government announced the conditions and methods for this year's "First Tuna", which means that the annual bluefin tuna cultural tourism season has entered the countdown. There is a popular saying: "Bluefin will appear in the dark of the moon", which means that before and after the full moon in the lunar calendar, bluefin will emerge from the sea to eat bait.

The Pingtung Bluefin Tuna Season has held the first tuna auction since 2002, and grabbing the first tuna head every year has become a local highlight. After the awareness of sustainable marine resources has risen, the conditions for the "first tuna" have been set strictly. Including limited northern bluefin caught along the coastal waters of Taiwan, which must weigh more than 180 kilograms, be still alive when hooked, and be attached with an eco-label like an "ID card" after the catch, fishing boats that catch "the first tuna with potential" , it is necessary to notify the Fishery Radio Station immediately, and to sail to Donggang Fishing Port first, and to set conditions such as fishing boats belonging to Pingtung and Kaohsiung City.

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Zheng Yuchen, Director-General of Donggang District Fishermen's Association, said that the "First Tuna" auction of the bluefin tuna season is a symbol of the opening of the event, bringing in popularity and business opportunities. It can be said to be the locomotive of local industries. The government attaches great importance to it, and the government cooperates with the resource management measures of the International Fisheries Organization to catch Pacific bluefin, and regulates the number of operating fishing vessels. This year, Donggang registered 165 vessels for fishing bluefin, and 161 for Xiaoliuqiu.

The District Fisherman’s Association pointed out that with the loosening of the epidemic prevention and control, all industries are moving towards a new life after the epidemic, and the auction price of the first tuna has reached sky-high prices. Time is also grateful to the Coast Guard for actively strengthening fishing protection, and will dispatch 2 frigates in April, 3 in May, and 2 in June, so that fishermen can carry out fishing operations with peace of mind, and look forward to bringing the big tail back to its home port.