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The Honolulu Fish Auction is the anchor of the Commercial Fishing Village on Pier 38. It's the only fish auction between Tokyo and Maine. In fact, it's the only fresh tuna auction of its kind in the United States. Fishing boats tie up and unload their catch just a few feet from this modern, state-of-the-art facility.
The United Fishing Agency started the Honolulu Fish Auction on August 5, 1952. They still operate it today at the new facilities located dockside on Pier 38. In other parts of the world, fishermen sell their fish to wholesalers who generally dictate prices. The United Fishing Agency came up with a better way that allows the independent fishermen to sell their catch at a fair price and, in turn, enables auction buyers representing the wholesale, retail and restaurant sectors to get the freshest fish. Open competitive bidding rewards higher quality fish with higher prices. It also produces fair pricing for the range of fish species and quality based on market conditions supply and demand.
The Honolulu Fish Auction is based on the famous Tokyo auction, where large fish are sold individually rather than by the boatload to a wholesaler. The auction provides a marketing service for fisherman and helps them with quality improvement to get the best prices for their catch. The auction also makes certain that fishermen are paid the same day for their catch. It's an innovative system that has kept everyone working together for more than 50 years. A system that insures fish lovers in Hawaii with a fresh, constant supply every day.