TONGA RECORD-SETTING BLUEFIN TUNA CAUGHT: 350 POUNDS

NUKU‘ALOFA, Tonga (January 29, 1999 - Tonga Chronicle)---A record-setting 160 kilogram (352 pound), 1.8 meter (5.94 foot) long bluefin tuna was caught in Tongan waters on Jan. 22.

Caught along the Tonga Trench by five fishermen of the Friendly Island Fishing Co., Ltd. aboard the Capricorn II, the giant tuna was flown on Jan. 25 to Tokyo, Japan, to be cut up and sold for sashimi.

The price for the record-setter was to be set there.

The boat was captained by Mr ‘Asaeli Nehoa of Nomuka, Ha‘apai. The crew included Messrs. Sione Tau, Sione Peesi and Tiueti Kata, all of Pahu; Simione ‘Amato of Lapaha; and ‘Epeli Te‘ei of Niuafo‘ou.

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