Ranking: Fresh Fin Whale Meat Auctioned for the First Time in Decades in Japan

1. The Return of Fin Whale Hunting

• Fin whale meat was auctioned for the first time in nearly 50 years in Japan, marking a major milestone for the country's whaling industry.
  This year's addition of fin whales to the legal hunting list highlights Japan's determination to expand its commercial whaling.

2. Record-Setting Auction Prices

• Fresh fin whale meat fetched up to 200,000 yen ($1,312) per kilogram (2.2 lbs), a price achieved for the highly sought-after tail meat delicacy, "onomi."
• In fact, 1.4 tons of fresh fin whale meat sourced from northern Hokkaido were auctioned in the Sapporo fish market and in Shimonoseki and reflected high demand and a culture behind this commodity.

3. Resurfacing Commercial Whaling in Japan

• In 2019, Japan restarted its commercial whaling after it had withdrawn from the International Whaling Commission, or IWC.
• A new whaling ship of 9,300 tons, Kangei Maru, was launched by Kyodo Senpaku Co., making an investment for the long-term future of the industry at 7.5 billion yen ($49 million).

4. Regulatory and Population Recovery Developments

• Japan referred to stock surveys suggesting the recovery of fin whale populations in the North Pacific as a reason for hunting.
• Japan added the fin whale to its annual combined quota with minke, Bryde's and sei whales of 379 whales allowed for this season.
• In this season, 30 fin whales have been caught, half of the quota of 60.

5. Cultural and Taste Perspectives

• Fin whale meat was considered especially delicious and of higher quality compared to other whale species, due to the size of the animal, though officials like Ryo Minezoe acknowledged limited personal experience in tasting it.

6. Controversy and Conservation Criticism

• Japan's whaling industry has faced international criticism from conservation groups over decades, particularly for its former Antarctic "research whaling", which was perceived as a cover for commercial hunting.
• However, protests have died down since Japan called off Antarctic operations and moved whaling to its exclusive economic zone.

7. Decline in Whaling Numbers

• In spite of high quotas, last year's hunts for the minke, Bryde's, and sei whales produced 294 whales against less than 80% of the quota and far fewer catches compared to past hunts in Antarctica and the Northwestern Pacific.

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