TUNA

In Denmark tuna are viewed as exotic fish. Eaten out of small tins, they are more readily associated with bloodbaths in Mediterranean harbours or fantastical prices at Tokyo fish markets.

Yet bluefin, or Atlantic, tuna was once a regular feature of Danish waters and fish markets. In the 1950's the annual catch was between 800 and 2,000 tons and there are pictures of tuna filling the whole of a Danish auction shed. Then in the 1960's the fish suddenly disappeared.

Until now. Two adult bluefin tuna have just been caught in the Denmark Strait, the body of water between Iceland and Greenland. Even though tuna are known to be a species that's not particularly sensitive to water temperature, that's a long way north. Scientists are currently puzzled, but suspect that rising water temperatures in the Atlantic may have something to do with it. Whatever the reason, it will be good to have tuna back on the menu in Denmark, it tastes much better than cod.

Walter Blotscher