Although that article is enticing,it is not the synopsis of what the Bluefin industry has become. I got out of it because the money was no longer justified.
Buyers and brokers are in cahoots so when you come to the dock, the prices are pre-set, the bargaining days of yesterryear are gone.
Add to that, the per seine quotas have sky rocketed while the rod & reel quotas get lower and lower every year. It's a monopoly. There are only a handful of fleet owners that make up something like 88% of what's harvested, the rest is slimpickings for rod/reel guys like me and spear boats (Harpoon boats w/spotter planes)
It was getting to the point where I was selling a fish I KNEW to be grade B,B+ for 3K when it should get an easy 9 and then the quota is filled a day later. 2 day season. what the????? a reel is 1k, a rod $500,....x4..... gas,bait,high end electronics, yadda yadda, it adds up.
Wasn't cost Justified anymore
I have lots of pics if anyones interested but they're a good 8-10 yrs old now.