A large bluefin tuna weighing over 238 kilograms and measuring around 2.5 metres was sold to the Pine Cliffs resort for approximately €10,000 at “Maguro Seri”, Portugal’s first auction dedicated to this species, held yesterday at Olhão Harbour.
The auction was organised by Nutrifresco and Tunipex, with the support of Docapesca. The tuna was caught using the traditional armação method, a centuries-old fishing technique that forms part of the Algarve’s maritime heritage.
The initiative marked the official opening of the Algarve’s tuna season, bringing together around 90 guests, including renowned chefs and institutional representatives. In a format inspired by Japanese fish auctions, several leading restaurants competed in the bidding.
The event was attended by Olhão mayor Ricardo Calé, the Southern Region Director for Ports and Fish Auctions, Rosa Cavaco, and the Commander of Olhão Harbour, Pedro de Palma, alongside representatives from the Sotavento Algarve Fisheries Local Action Group (GAL), the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs and the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM).
More than a commercial transaction, the initiative aimed to promote the quality of tuna from the Portuguese coast whilst showcasing the armação fishing tradition, preserved for decades by Tunipex.
Guests witnessed the landing of the fish, learned about the evaluation criteria used in grading tuna and followed a live cutting demonstration, culminating in a lunch presenting a range of gastronomic interpretations of the species.
Moreover, 10 per cent of the proceeds were donated to RIAS, the Wildlife Recovery and Research Centre, and to the association Somos Esperança, both based in Olhão.
In a press statement, Olhão Municipal Council noted that “the debut of this auction marks a new chapter in promoting sustainable fishing and Portuguese gastronomy, bringing Portugal closer to international practices whilst celebrating one of its most emblematic marine resources.”
Source: Sul Informação
