Japanese Researchers Record Rare Bluefin Spawning

A group of researchers from the Japanese Fisheries Agency filmed the spawning of bluefin near the Ryukyu Islands in southwestern Japan. The scientists, aboard the agency’s vessel ‘Kaiyo Maru,’ claim that it is rare to witness the spawning in its natural habitat. They conducted a survey on the distribution of bluefin larvae in the waters around the Islands, known to be spawning grounds. They spotted a bluefin school spawning around the vessel and immediately recorded it. During the spawning process, several males chase one female, swimming in circles, in a line. This can be seen in the video. The surface water turns into a pale blue color as eggs and sperm are released. Experts determined that these were bluefin. Fertilized eggs were collected and the species will be identified through DNA analysis, the Agency said in a statement.