Products | Fresh and Frozen | Albacore Tuna

Albacore Tuna

(Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Physical characteristics: The Albacore tuna is a member of the Scombridae family and is the only tuna that can be labeled as "white meat". It is a migratory species which can cover thousands of miles in a few weeks time during its seasonal migration. Its body is blue-black above turning to a silvery white at its belly. It can be distinguished from other tunas by long pectoral fins running almost half the length of its body. The average size of Albacore is between 10 and 40 lbs. but they can reach up to 100 lbs. The meat color ranges from a light pink to a pale red but becomes white to creamy white when cooked.

Major catch areas: Albacore are found in most of the world ocean's temperate (warmer) waters, including the eastern and western Pacific Ocean and in the Atlantic Ocean as far north as the Bay of Biscay. Most fresh production comes from the west coast of the United States and Hawaii where as the frozen comes from primarily the South Pacific and Indian Ocean as well as the west coast of the United States. More than 95% of the production of Albacore is destined to the canned market.

Seasonality: Product is available year-round.

Harvest method: Product for the fresh and frozen market is caught by a combination of long-line, troll and pole and line methods. All of the fish used for frozen loins is long-line caught as only the larger size fish (caught by deep-sea long-line) are suitable for processing into frozen loins and steaks. All product is harvested in methods which do not harm dolphins.

Product forms:

• Fresh: Most fresh product is sold as head and gutted (H&G) or skinless, boneless loins.
• Frozen:Bulk product is sold as skinless, boneless, dark meat removed loins (i.e. one quarter of the fish) in 3-5 lbs. and 5 lbs. up l loins packed in 50-65 random weight cartons.
• Value-added: Frozen skinless, boneless, dark-meat removed steaks come in 4, 6, 8 and 10 oz. sizes with a variance of one ounce. Most common are steaks, packed in vacuum pouches or the steaks can be in an IQF bulk pack with the same grading as above.

Flavor/texture profile: Albacore meat is a firm dense meat with a mild flavor.

Notes: We would like to caution you that we cannot 100% guarantee that the loins are 100% boneless as the tuna is maintained in the frozen state throughout processing which makes it very difficult to remove all the bones. Chefs thawing and cooking the product will be able to detect and remove the bones very easily.