Albacore tuna | Good Fish Guide | The consumer guide to sustainable seafood

Common name - Albacore tuna

Scientific name - Thunnus alalunga

Average rating

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Consumer Information

Tuna belong to the Scombrid family and are related to mackerel. They are large, oceanic fish and are seasonally migratory, some making trans-Atlantic journeys. Tuna is highly sought after and forms the basis of many world-wide fisheries. World catches have doubled in the last decade. All 7 commercially fished species are under pressure and 5 are listed by the IUCN (World Conservation Union) as threatened species: Bigeye are slower growing than either Skipjack or Yellowfin and Pacific Bigeye are listed as Endangered; Northern Bluefin is listed as Critically Endangered in the Western Atlantic and Endangered in the Eastern Atlantic; Southern Bluefin are listed as Critically Endangered; Pacific Bluefin are also a large species with low resilience to fishing; Skipjack and Yellowfin, although relatively resilient to fishing are overfished in many areas or their status has not been properly assessed. Increase the sustainability of the Skipjack or Yellowfin tuna you source by choosing line or troll-caught and ‘dolphin-friendly' tuna. The troll/pole and line Pacific Albacore tuna fishery is certified to the MSC standard as a well-managed and sustainable fishery. Tuna farming or ranching of Southern and Northern Bluefin relies on capture of juveniles from the wild, which are then transferred to sea cages to grow. Avoid eating.

Summary

Albacore are moderately vulnerable to overfishing and most stocks are healthy with varying degrees of management. However the North Atlantic stock is currently overfished and should be avoided, with the exception of troll caught fish. The biggest issue in albacore fisheries is the bycatch of protected, endangered and threatened species such as sharks, turtles and especially turtles caught in the longline fisheries. The best choice is albacore caught using surface troll or pole & line or MSC certified. Longline fisheries can mitigate for bycatch using measures such as dyeing the bait, tori lines, night setting, circle hooks, regular inspection of the gear and weighted lines.

Alternatives

(Based on method of production, fish type, and consumer rating: only fish rated 3 and below are included.)

Albacore tuna
Bigeye tuna
Common dolphinfish or dorado or mahi mahi
Skipjack tuna
Yellowfin tuna

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