AN ATLANTIC bluefin tuna weighing almost 400lb has been found washed up on the shores of Chichester Harbour on the south coast of England.
At nearly 2m long, the rare specimen was discovered after reports reached local authorities of a large dead fish at the Thorney Island Sailing Club.
Highly-prized for their meat, Atlantic bluefin can sell for eye-watering sums in the Far East. A fish weighing 276kg recently sold for close to £1.4million, meaning the Chichester fish could fetch not far off £1 million in the same market.
There were no signs of damage on the tuna, and chief officer for the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, Tim Dapling, believes it may have died while hunting.
“It’s the first time we’ve seen one up close in this region, and although it’s only one fish, I’d be surprised if there aren’t more in Sussex waters,” he said.