Dongwon F&B announced this week that its ‘Tuna Extract’ has won the 2026 Korea First Brand Award. The product is made by “boiling fresh tuna caught directly from the South Pacific for over five hours using Dongwon’s unique know-how, resulting in a deep, rich flavor. The smoked tuna extract content is high at over 80 percent,” read a company statement. It is sold in three varieties. One is the ‘Tuna Extract Jin’ with a bonito flavor that goes well with soups, steamed, and stir-fried dishes. The second is ‘Tuna Extract Pure’ with a reduced smoky tuna flavor, and the third is ‘Tuna Extract Premium,’ which contains 85 percent concentrate from smoked yellowfin.

The products have been in high demand with consumers since their launch in 2022, as sales increased by more than 50 percent in 2024. The company pointed out that it is now leading the tuna extract segment with cumulative sales of approximately 7.5 million bottles in 2025. A spokesperson said: “It seems that the excellent quality of the ‘Dongwon Tuna Extract’, including the extract of directly caught tuna and the high content of smoked tuna extract, has led to consumer satisfaction. We will continue to establish ourselves as a leading company in the tuna extract market through continuous research and development and active marketing activities.” The Korea First Brand Award, held in Seoul on January 6, was hosted by the Korea Consumer Forum and is one of the largest award ceremonies in the country, where consumers select and recognize brands.

The mayor of a Spanish town recently expressed dismay over the remains of a tuna boat that has been left stranded near the coast, irking locals. Alfredo Villalba, the Mayor of Haria, a town located in the northern part of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, stated that the remains of the tuna vessel have been near the shore for over four months. The City Council is unable to move it as permissions from “several administrations are required, and the Council lacks sufficient resources to act alone,” reported Spanish news site Cadena SER. Villalba shared his concern on a radio program aired last month.

The Council carried out a cleaning process when the vessel, which ran aground following a fire last September, was stranded near Haria. At that time, the Council said that, “safety and surveillance protocols have been activated to minimize any risk of pollution and ensure the protection of the natural environment and the public.” However, more manpower and machinery is needed to remove the boat. Villalba claimed various parties have expressed interest in removing  the vessel.

Vietnamese vessels landed over 265 tons of tuna in the port of Quy Nhon in Bin Dinh province in the first two days of the year. After trips varying from a couple of days to two months, fishers returned with good catches. They sold their skipjack at an average price of VND 28 million to 30 million (USD 1,066 to 1,142) for a ton. After deduction of costs, boat owners made good money for their catches of 20 to even 70 tons comprising skipjack, albacore, and bluefin, Vietnamese news sites reported.

A crew member earned between USD 190 and 266, depending on the species and the quantity of the catch. According to the news reports, all tuna fishing vessels in this area are listed in the VNFishbase system. The catch volume of all species was estimated to be more than 287,000 tons in 2025, an increase of 2.1 percent compared to 2024. The recent suspension of the size regulation that did not allow the landing of skipjack smaller than 50 cm has been fruitful for the Vietnamese fishers.