Wild Albacore Tuna

Albacore has a mild, rich taste and a firm, steaky texture with large, moist flakes. It has more omega-3 than other tunas and is a heart-healthy protein choice with low fat and cholesterol. Albacore has the lightest-coloured meat – it can range from light beige to near-brown when raw, and off-white when cooked. When canned, it’s the only tuna meat permitted to be labelled “white meat.”

Pacific albacore tuna are metallic, dark blue on the back, silver along the sides of the belly, and white on their tail fin. Their exceptionally long pectoral fins are at least half the length of their body. A torpedo-shaped body, smooth skin, and streamlined fins are unique biological characteristics that enable each albacore to swim at speeds over 80 kilometres per hour. As such, these tuna are highly migratory species – they swim throughout large areas of the ocean and are harvested by many countries with different types of fishing gear. In the Pacific, albacore are roughly divided at the Equator into North and South Pacific stocks. North American West Coast-based commercial albacore fisheries primarily target the North Pacific stock, mainly using troll, pole-and-line, and longline gear. Once caught, fish are bled, cooled, and then frozen at sea to maintain optimum quality and freshness. The tuna is kept at -18°C or colder from boat to the customer.

Territory Seafoods only buys jig caught (hook and line) albacore tuna, which goes through vigorous inspection at time of purchase and manufacturing. Product is loined in Vancouver, where it is stored in -40°C freezers to ensure long-term quality. All tuna product is vacuum-packed to prevent dehydration.

Albacore tuna is available frozen year round. Fresh albacore is available late spring to late fall.

British Columbia Albacore Tuna, (Thunnus alalunga) is a highly migratory finish species that roams the waters of the world. Canadian Albacore Tuna that is specifically targeted by the British Columbia Tuna Fleet are young fish that are caught in the pristine waters of the North Pacific.

Albacore Tuna is a nutritious, safe, healthy, seafood alternative that fits modern lifestyles and addresses concerns over sustainability and environmental compatibility. 100% wild, high in protein, low in carbs, and high in Omega-3 makes eating Albacore Tuna a component of healthy eating.

Albacore Tuna is 100% wild food, high in protein, low in carbohydrates and very high in the "good" fatty acid, Omega-3. They are also packed full of selenium, a heavy-hitting mineral antioxidant that is lacking in most North American diets due to its depletion in the soil by modern agricultural techniques. Nutritional testing is done on a regular basis by the CHMSF (Canadian Highly Migratory Species Foundation).