The 278 kg tuna is sold for $ 3.1 million at auction in Tokyo and exceeds the 2013 record; see photos | World

Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of S ushi Zanmai paid $ 333.6 million yen ($ 3.1 million) for the 278-pound fish caught off the north coast of Aomori province, double what it had paid six years ago.

"The tuna looks so good and very fresh, but I think I've paid a lot," Kimura told the press outside the market.

"I was expecting between 30 and 50 million yen, or at most 60 million yen, but five times more," he added.

The Saturday's desets event was the first Toyosu New Year auction following the closing of the famous Tsukiji Fish Market last year to serve as a temporary parking lot at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Kimura paid the highest price for a single fish during the New Year's sale for six consecutive years until 2017. Last year, however, the owner of one Another chain of restaurants paid the highest price.

After the auction, the fish was brought to one of the branches of Sushizanmai, located on the former Tsukiji market.

Tuna is appreciated around the world for its use in sushi, but experts have warned that the growing demand is making this species a threat of extinction.

<img clbad = "image content-media__image" itemprop = "contentUrl" alt = "Kiyomura Co chairman, Kiyoshi Kimura (center), who controls the network of Sushi Zanmai Japanese restaurants, cutting a 278 kg tuna that he bought for $ 3.1 million auction at the Toyosu market in Tokyo this Saturday (5); Kiyomura's general manager, Kiyoshi Kimura (center), who controls the network of Sushi Zanmai Japanese restaurants, cuts a 278 kg tuna that he bought $ 3.1 million at the Toyosu market auction in Tokyo this Saturday (5); better than 2013 record – Photo: Kim Kyung-Hoon / Reuters "data-src =" https://s2.glbimg.com/ogWOJOiU5v3SuiZYPuPwtycqCnU=/0x0:2000×1328/984×0/smart/filters:strip_ic=(se) President from Kiyomura Co, Kiyoshi Kimura (center) of Kiyomura Co, Kiyoshi-kimura-kimura-leilao-thon-tokyo.jpg "

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