North Atlantic Albacore Tuna
Thunnus alalunga
Also known as Northern albacore, Longfin tuna, Germon
Culinary Profile
Mild, rich taste.
Firm texture and large, moist flakes. Albacore meat is not as dense or firm as bluefin tuna, so it’s not as well-suited for sashimi.
Low in fat and cholesterol with the most omega-3 fatty acids of any of the tuna species.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Albacore tuna are metallic, dark blue on the back with dusky to silvery white coloration along the sides of the belly. They have exceptionally long pectoral fins, which are nearly half the length of their bodies. The edge of the tail fin is white.
Biology
Albacore grow relatively fast, up to more than 4 feet and 88 pounds. In the Atlantic, they live up to 13 years and are able to reproduce by age 5. In the spring and summer, albacore spawn in subtropical waters of the Atlantic and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Depending on their size, females have between 2 million and 3 million eggs per spawning season.
Where They Live
Range Albacore tuna live in tropical and warm temperate waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In the Atlantic, they’re found from Nova Scotia to northern Argentina, and from Ireland to South Africa. Habitat Albacore tuna are a highly migratory species—they are found around the world and can travel long distances. They are a temperate (cooler water) species but spawn in warmer tropical waters.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Fresh year-round, with peaks in the fall, and frozen year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Massachusetts to Louisiana.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery: U.S. fishermen catch approximately 1 percent of the total international catch of North Atlantic albacore. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: Albacore in the North Atlantic are most often harvested incidentally in the commercial pelagic longline fishery for swordfish and other tunas. U.S. commercial fishermen also use rod-and-reel gear to catch albacore tuna. Fishing gear used to catch albacore has no impact on habitat because it’s used in the water column and doesn’t come into contact with the ocean floor. Rod-and-reel gear is very selective and bycatch is minimal. U.S. commercial fishermen fishing with pelagic longline gear follow a number of strict regulations to prevent incidentally catching marine mammals, sea turtles, and birds.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where North Atlantic Albacore Tuna ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selenium | 41.2 µg | 22 / 106 | 79% |
| Iron | 1 mg | 23 / 111 | 79% |
| Zinc | 0.56 mg | 40 / 111 | 64% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.2 µg | 76 / 106 | 28% |
| Protein | 16.04 g | 84 / 111 | 24% |
| Phosphorus | 178 mg | 90 / 111 | 19% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 55 mg | 97 / 104 | 7% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 14 mg | 98 / 104 | 6% |
Other Species in Genus Thunnus
7 close biological relatives of North Atlantic Albacore Tuna profiled in this catalogue — typically sharing similar anatomy, depth range, and fishery management.
| Species | Scientific name | Protein (g/100 g) | Omega-3 DHA (mg) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Bigeye Tuna | Thunnus obesus | 16.04 | 55 | Smart Choice |
| Atlantic Yellowfin Tuna | Thunnus albacares | 24.4 | 88 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Albacore Tuna | Thunnus alalunga | 16.04 | 55 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Bigeye Tuna | Thunnus obesus | 16.04 | 55 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Bluefin Tuna | Thunnus orientalis | 23.33 | 890 | Smart Choice |
| Pacific Yellowfin Tuna | Thunnus albacares | 24.4 | 88 | Smart Choice |
| Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna | Thunnus thynnus | 23.33 | 890 | Smart Choice |
Other New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as North Atlantic Albacore Tuna.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Blacktip Shark
Carcharhinus limbatus
Sweet, meaty taste.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Atlantic Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Atlantic Herring
Clupea harengus
Small fresh herring have a more delicate flavor, while larger herring have a fuller, oilier flavor.
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
Atlantic Mahi Mahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahi mahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away darker portions of the meat.
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
Rhizoprionodon terraenovae
Reported to be quite tasty.
Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
Squalus acanthias
Mild and sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of North Atlantic Albacore Tuna, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does North Atlantic Albacore Tuna eat?
Albacore grow relatively fast, up to more than 4 feet and 88 pounds. In the Atlantic, they live up to 13 years and are able to reproduce by age 5. In the spring and summer, albacore spawn in subtropical waters of the Atlantic and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Depending on their size, females have between 2 million and 3 million eggs per spawning season.
How long do North Atlantic Albacore Tuna live?
Live up to 13 years.
What else is North Atlantic Albacore Tuna called?
North Atlantic Albacore Tuna is also marketed as Northern albacore, Longfin tuna, Germon.
How much selenium does North Atlantic Albacore Tuna provide?
A 100 g raw serving of North Atlantic Albacore Tuna carries 41.2 µg of selenium, about 75% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught North Atlantic albacore tuna is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
According to the 2023 stock assessment, North Atlantic albacore tuna is not overfished and not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART . The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) assesses the abundance of North Atlantic albacore tuna and evaluates the sustainability of current and proposed harves…
Population
The stock is not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to harvest North Atlantic albacore tuna has no impact on habitat because it does not contact the ocean floor.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries , through the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Division , manage the North Atlantic albacore tuna fishery in the United States. Managed under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan and amendments: Commercial and recreational fishermen must have a permit to harvest North Atlantic albacore tuna.
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 20 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.