The giant 415kg tuna caught off the East Cape by Whitianga fishers last week fetched $30,000 at auction.

The North Pacific Bluefin tuna was caught last Tuesday evening by Whitianga fisher Wayne MacFarlane and his three man crew on the 20metre longline fishing boat Karina B.

Crewman Dan Walsh with the tuna. Photo: Facebook

It was brought back to Whitianga, with a live weight of 415kg and a gutted weight of 361kg, where it was winched from the boat.

It was then transported to Tauranga where it was packed before being flown to Japan.

The fish went to auction on Saturday where TVNZ reports it fetched $30,000.

Wanye is reported to have said the size of the fish may have been a hindrance on the day as there was not much interest for a fish of that size.

It is not yet known how much of a cut the fishers will receive.