Fisherman Catches 8.5ft Bluefin Tuna Worth £2.5m But Throws It Back

A fisherman managed to catch a whopping 270kg (600lbs), eight-and-a-half feet tuna that could have been worth millions, but threw it back into the sea.

David Edwards was fishing off the south coast of Ireland when he caught the bluefin tuna, which could have been worth around £2.5 million ($3m) - but because he and his crew weren't out fishing for commercial purposes they released it back into the ocean.

David Edwards

Edwards was out with a team from West Cork Charters, who are part of an ongoing catch and release programme to try and collect population figures for the fish in the north east Atlantic.

They were out about three miles from their base when they landed the huge fish and hauled it aboard.

Speaking to Cork Echo Live, Edwards said: "They are much more common up in Donegal Bay where they follow the herring.

"They are more unusual down here but tend to be much bigger when they do show up.

"This is the first one caught south of Donegal Bay this year and it really was a big fish."

Before tagging the fish and re-releasing it, Edwards got a snap of it to share on social media - because as we all know 'pics or it didn't happen'.

Sharing a selection of photos, he wrote: "Finally! Got the first bluefin tuna to be caught, tagged and released on the South Coast of Ireland - 102 inches long, 5-600lb in weight and well done to my crew for the day, Darren O'Sullivan, Henk Veldman and John Dillon, great job lads."

Here they are looking pretty pleased with themselves:

David Edwards

If you're currently sat with your mouth open, wondering how on Earth a single fish could be worth so much, then let me fill you in...

Bluefin tuna is a highly prized delicacy in Japan and, yep, single fish can sell for thousands.

In January this year, a bluefin tuna of a similar size to this one sold for just shy of £2.5m (just under €3m), according to the Mirror.

Japanese businessman Kiyoshi Kimura set a new world record when he splashed out on the 278kg (613lbs) fish - doubling the price he had paid for a single tuna in 2013. I think someone needs to let him know you can get four tins of tuna chunks in Aldi for £2.69 ($3.31).

Topics: Animals

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19