Big fish in the harbor—Pingtung’s Black Tuna Culture and Tourism Festival kicks off!

The massive black tuna, known as the Rolls-Royce of fish meat and also called “black jar string,” along with sakura shrimp and oilfish roe, are hailed as the three treasures of Donggang. Located in the Bashi Channel, Donggang can catch thousands of black tunas every year from April to June. These are Pacific bluefin tunas, with the highest catch volume in the world. The once-obscure town of Donggang has transformed thanks to this fish. During the annual fishing season, renowned restaurants along the harbor scramble to bid for the black tuna. Once won, the fish is immediately butchered on-site and divided by cuts to ensure freshness. The most premium and prestigious part—the triangular belly section—can fetch thousands of New Taiwan dollars per kilogram. The freshest top-grade tuna is served as sashimi or sushi, while the slightly lower grade is still delicious when stir-fried or deep-fried.

The “2010 Black Tuna Culture and Tourism Festival” kicked off at 5:00 PM on May 2 and ran until July 4. Now in its 10th year, the festival has attracted large numbers of tourists and local visitors, enriching the region's culture and tourism. This three-month cultural tourism festival began with a streetlight installation blessing ceremony and a parade carnival on opening day, launched by an exciting parade organized by local residents. Throughout the event, there were also diverse activities such as happiness-themed street performances by artists and dragon boat races.

The auction for the “World’s Number One Tuna” grabs the first fish. Photo provided by Shuotai PR

Additionally, the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of the fish market is a highlight during the Black Tuna Culture and Tourism Festival. The fish markets at Huaqiao Market and the Fishing Port Market are especially worth seeing, where you can witness the tuna trading and butchering processes firsthand. For those interested in more relaxed activities, the Donggang Fisheries Culture Exhibition Hall near the market provides detailed information about the tuna-catching process. To facilitate transportation, the “Kenting Express” bus service, which began operating in May, offers shuttle services from the Zuoying High-Speed Rail Station. For details, visit the Black Tuna Culture and Tourism Festival website at www.love-n22.com.tw.



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Extended Reading: Tuna is a Favorite of Japanese Gourmets (Provided by Tripass Attractions)

Tuna is a Favorite of Japanese Gourmets (Provided by Tripass Attractions)