User blog comment:Monkey.D.Me/EXPENSIVE !!!/@comment-3181121-20120308192321

Oda simply has to increase the bounties, because people view them as an indication of strength and not an indication of threat, which is what they are supposed to be. If Arlong appeared in the Return to Sabaody Arc his bounty would have tripled at least, but seeing that he was only in the East Blue it's stupidly low. Bounties will most definitely continue to increase simply because the enemies get stronger, and bounties are sadly used as an indication of their strength.