Quebec fish market reels in customers with 385-kg tuna its biggest catch yet - Action News
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Quebec fish market reels in customers with 385-kg tuna its biggest catch yet

Sarah Landry was on board a ship in the Baie-des-Chaleurs when their fishing lines caught a rare bluefin tuna. After struggling for over an hour, the team managed to hoist the fish onto the boat with plans to sell it in Rimouski, Que., on Thursday.

Bluefin tuna meat will be offered at Poissonnerie Gagnon on Thursday

A woman smiles standing next to a big bluefin tuna on a boat
Sarah Landry pictured with the rare catch. The 385-kilogram bluefin tuna will be up for sale on Thursday in Rimouski, Que. (Submitted by Sarah Landry)

When Sarah Landry first heard a fishing line fly off its reel, she never imagined a 385-kilogram tuna was on the other end.

The co-owner of fish marketPoissonnerie Gagnon in Rimouski, Que., had travelled to the Baie-des-Chaleurs, wedged between the Gasp Peninsula and New Brunswick, with two fishermen hopingof catching a bluefin tuna typically weighing around 225 kilograms.

About 10 minutes after dropping their lines, they felt movement.

"We concentrated. There were five of us on the boat, it was quite physical work," said Landry.

"We were exhausted from struggling one hour and 20 minutes of fighting to get the beast."

She says the team got lucky.

Once the tuna became tired, the fishermen used instruments to tie it up tightly andhoisted it onto the ship. It weighed in at a whopping 385 kilograms, or 850 pounds.

Last year, her brother managed to secure a 330-kilogram tuna, but she says this one has set a new record for their business.

Two people stand on the edge of a boat holding onto a fishing pole which bends into the water.
Mlanie Aubin and Ren Landry were aboard the ship, helping catch the giant fish. (Submitted by Sarah Landry)

"It really is the biggest. Beating this record will probably be difficult," said Landry.

"We buy it all the time, that's one thing, but you know to go and fish it and then live the experience at sea [is another]."

'Customers can't wait to try it'

After preparing the fish and transporting it to Rimouskion Thursday, the shop is preparing for a busy day after posting about the extraordinary catch online.

About 215 kilograms of the fish is up for sale starting at 10 a.m. as part of the market's once-a-year tuna sale.

Landry expects a line, similar to last year's turnout.

Three people smile standing next to a large bluefin tuna fish.
Mlanie Aubin, Sarah Landry and Richard Desbois pictured with their rare catch. Desbois says this tuna could go for about $5,000. (Submitted by Sarah Landry)

"There's high demand," said Landry.

"I've doubled the number of employees here. Customers can't wait to try it, and the bigger it is, the happier we're going to make them."

An 'exceptional' catch, says fisherman of 50 years

Richard Desbois, who has been a fisherman for five decades, says this outing was like a sport in itself.

"It's a big fish that always surprises you," said Desbois, who is a snow crab fisherman.

This catch is among the largest bluefin tuna he's ever caught and he says it could go for about $5,000.

"It's quite exceptional," said Desbois. "We had a great fight with it."

He says he's kept a piece for himself and already has a recipe in mind.

"I marinate it in oil with ginger and a bit of soysauce," said Desbois. "It's perfect. It's really tender and tasty."

With files from milie Warren