The Fishing Port of Olhão hosted, this Monday, the first bluefin tuna auction held in Portugal.
The event, promoted by Nutrifresco and Tunipex with the support of Docapesca, brought together around 90 guests, including renowned chefs and institutional representatives.
The initiative marked the official opening of the tuna season in the Algarve, standing out as an unprecedented moment in the national panorama, inspired by traditional Japanese auctions.
238-kilo specimen featured in the auction
The main highlight of the auction was a bluefin tuna weighing 238 kilos and measuring approximately 2.5 meters, caught using the traditional trap technique, a sustainable method with historical roots in the region.
The dispute involved several top restaurants, with the winning bid, in the order of 10 thousand euros, being presented by the Pine Cliffs resort.
Participants also had the opportunity to watch the fish being unloaded, learn about the evaluation criteria and follow a cutting demonstration, culminating in a lunch with different gastronomic proposals centered on tuna.
In addition to the commercial component, the event aimed to enhance the quality of tuna from the Portuguese coast and promote the art of trapping, preserved for decades by Tunipex.
The initiative was attended by the president of , Ricardo Calé, and several entities linked to the maritime and fishing sector.
With a solidarity aspect, 10% of the amount raised was allocated to RIAS – Wild Animal Recovery and Research Center – and the Somos Esperança association, both based in Olhão.
The organization considers that this event represents a new step in the promotion of sustainable fishing and national gastronomy, bringing Portugal closer to international practices and valuing one of its most emblematic marine resources.
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