Pacific Albacore Tuna
Thunnus alalunga
Also known as Albacore, Germon, Longfinned tuna, Albecor, Ahipalaha, Tombo
Culinary Profile
Mild, rich taste.
Firm, steaky, with large, moist flakes.
Albacore is a heart-healthy protein choice that is low in fat and cholesterol.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Albacore tuna have torpedo-shaped bodies, smooth skin, and streamlined fins. They 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 at least half the length of their bodies. The edge of the tail fin is white.
Biology
Albacore tuna grow fast at first but more slowly with age, up to almost 80 pounds and about 47 inches long. Similarly sized albacore travel together in schools that can be up to 19 miles wide. North Pacific albacore, particularly juveniles (2 to 4 years old), typically begin their expansive migration in the spring and early summer in waters off Japan. They move into inshore waters off the U.S.
Where They Live
Range Albacore tuna are found in tropical and warm temperate waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Habitat Albacore tuna are found in open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans. They are a highly migratory species, swimming long distances throughout the ocean. Temperature is a major factor in determining where Pacific albacore live.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Fresh from late spring to late fall and frozen year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Washington to California, Hawaii, American Samoa, and on the high seas.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2023, commercial landings of Pacific albacore tuna totaled 6.8 million pounds and were valued at approximately $9 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . The majority of Pacific albacore tuna is landed in Washington and Oregon. Hawaii albacore is mostly sold fresh. There are also significant landings in American Samoa, averaging approximately 3 million pounds per year, most of which is canned locally. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: On the U.S. West Coast, commercial fishermen target the North Pacific stock primarily using troll and pole-and-line (bait boat) gear. In Hawaii, longline vessels harvest North Pacific albacore while targeting swordfish and other tunas.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 106 Species
Where Pacific 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 Pacific 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 |
| North Atlantic 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 Pacific Islands Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Pacific Albacore Tuna.
North Pacific Swordfish
Xiphias gladius
Moist, flavorful, and slightly sweet.
Pacific Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfinand is preferred by sashimi lovers.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus orientalis
Bluefin has a distinctive flavor. With its high fat content, it is especially prized for sushi and sashimi.
Pacific Common Thresher Shark
Alopias vulpinus
Mild flavor.
Pacific Mahimahi
Coryphaena hippurus
Mahimahi has a sweet, mild flavor. For a milder flavor, trim away the darker portions of the meat.
Pacific Shortfin Mako Shark
Isurus oxyrinchus
Sweet with a full-bodied, meaty taste.
Pacific Skipjack Tuna
Katsuwonus pelamis
Skipjack tuna has the most pronounced taste of all of the tropical tunas.
Pacific Wahoo
Acanthocybium solanderi
Lean and mild.
Pacific Yellowfin Tuna
Thunnus albacares
Yellowfin tuna has a mild, meaty flavor. It’s more flavorful than albacore, but leaner than bluefin.
Striped Marlin
Kajikia audax
Distinctive flavor similar to but more pronounced than swordfish. It is considered the finest eating of all marlin speci…
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Pacific 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
How much selenium does Pacific Albacore Tuna provide?
A 100 g raw serving of Pacific Albacore Tuna carries 41.2 µg of selenium, about 75% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
How long do Pacific Albacore Tuna live?
Live for 10 to 12 years.
How does Pacific Albacore Tuna reproduce?
Albacore tuna grow fast at first but more slowly with age, up to almost 80 pounds and about 47 inches long. Similarly sized albacore travel together in schools that can be up to 19 miles wide. North Pacific albacore, particularly juveniles (2 to 4 years old), typically begin their expansive migration in the spring and early summer in waters off Japan. They move into inshore waters off the U.S.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught Pacific albacore tuna is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
There are two stocks of Pacific albacore tuna: the North Pacific stock and the South Pacific stock. According to the most recent stock assessments: The North Pacific stock is not overfished and not subject to overfishing (2023 stock assessment). Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The stocks are not overfished.
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gear used to catch albacore rarely contacts the seafloor so habitat impacts are minimal.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council manage the Pacific albacore tuna fishery on the West Coast. Managed under the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species : Requires commercial fishermen to obtain a permit from NOAA Fisheries and maintain logbooks documenting their catch.
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.