The 2011 Bluefin Tuna Cultural Festival in Pingtung officially kicked off on Saturday, and a ceremonial auction of the first-caught bluefin tuna of the season was held earlier last week at the Tungkang Harbor.

The giant fish, weighing over 220 kilograms, was eventually sold at 6,100 NT dollars per kilo, a price slightly higher than last year's.

This first bluefin tuna catch of the season measured over two meters long and weighed in at 226 kilograms, and was auctioned off at Tungkang Fishing Harbor on Tuesday.

The tuna sold for 6,100 NT per kilogram, compared to last year's 6,000 NT per kilogram. The captain of the fishing crew that caught the tuna was all smiles, but the restaurant owner that won the auction noted that the number of bidders at the auction was 50% lower than last year.

The winning bidder hopes that his bid price will help to stimulate the bluefin tuna market and alleviate concerns about radiation. Meanwhile, sashimi vendors say that they have received numerous telephone inquiries in recent days.

Pingtung County Magistrate Tsao Chi-hung attended the auction, and personally inspected the tuna for radiation.

The local Fishermen's Association, meanwhile, said that this year's first catch took place one week later than last year because many fishing crews failed to check their hooks periodically and the bluefin tunas on their hooks were dead by the time they were reeled in.

However, many are optimistic that the symbolic high sale price of the first catch of the season points to good times ahead.