Albacore Tuna
Thunnus alalunga
Season: July - September
This sustainably troll-caught tuna is among the highest omega-3 sources in the tuna family (up to 3,000mg per 100g) with 31g protein per serving, fresh locally from July through September.
Sustainability
Sustainably harvested by local troll and pole-and-line fishermen using gear that rarely contacts the seafloor, with stocks not overfished and bycatch regulations in place.
Albacore tuna is a sleek, powerful predator that migrates across entire ocean basins, traveling thousands of miles between feeding and spawning grounds. These torpedo-shaped fish are built for speed, capable of swimming over 50 miles per hour with their distinctive long pectoral fins—which can extend to half their body length—providing exceptional hydrodynamic efficiency. North Pacific albacore begin their annual migration in spring from waters near Japan, arriving off the California and Oregon coasts by mid-summer before returning to the western Pacific for fall and winter. The fish caught in our local waters are typically juveniles between two and four years old, averaging 20-30 inches in length and up to 35 pounds.
Among tuna species, albacore is prized for having the lightest-colored flesh and highest omega-3 content—locally caught albacore can contain over 3,000mg of omega-3 fatty acids per 100 grams, significantly more than sockeye salmon. The firm, "steaky" texture and mild, rich flavor make albacore versatile in the kitchen: it's excellent grilled or seared as tuna steaks, and the premium quality of troll-caught local fish makes it ideal for sashimi and poke. A single serving provides 31 grams of protein along with selenium and B vitamins, all while remaining low in fat and cholesterol. Importantly, the young albacore caught off our coast contain significantly lower mercury levels than older, larger tuna caught in distant waters.
Local commercial and recreational fishermen harvest albacore from July through October using sustainable troll and pole-and-line methods—techniques that catch fish one at a time and rarely contact the seafloor. This selective fishing approach produces minimal bycatch and results in premium-quality fish that are immediately bled and iced. The North Pacific albacore stock is not overfished and is managed through international cooperation, as these highly migratory fish cross the waters of multiple nations during their annual journey. When you purchase locally caught albacore, you're supporting small-boat fishermen using traditional methods that have sustained Pacific coast communities for over a century.