Albacore

How to identify albacore

A small, streamlined tuna with very long pectoral fins. In fish over about 50 cm the pectoral fins are roughly 30% of the fork length or longer, and they reach well back along the body. The front spines of the first dorsal fin are much taller than the rear ones, giving the fin a strongly concave outline. The back is dark metallic blue and the sides and belly are silvery. Juvenile bigeye tuna also have long pectoral fins, but theirs have rounded tips.

Where it lives in New Zealand

Albacore live in warm tropical waters north of New Zealand and arrive here in summer. Smaller surface-schooling juveniles turn up from the Bay of Plenty to Cook Strait and down the west coast of the South Island. Deeper-swimming adults can be found as far south as 45°S. They are most common in surface water of about 16 to 19°C and often school with skipjack and other tunas. Recreational catches are highest off the west coast.

How to catch it

Almost all recreational albacore are taken on rod and reel from trailer boats. Many are caught while trolling for other gamefish. The commercial troll fleet tows unbaited lures behind the boat, and recreational fishers use the same approach. Fish caught on the troll are mostly juveniles of 5 to 8 kg.

Eating

The flesh is pinkish and oily. It suits baking, barbecuing, marinating, smoking and frying, and it can be eaten raw as sashimi. Like other tunas it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and selenium. New Zealand Food Safety's pregnancy food list puts albacore at 3 to 4 servings a week for pregnant women, because of mercury. Most commercially caught albacore from New Zealand is frozen and canned overseas.

Good to know

New Zealand albacore are part of a single South Pacific stock that ranges from the equator to about 50°S. The New Zealand troll fishery holds Marine Stewardship Council certification.

Questions

Is albacore tuna good eating?

Yes. Albacore has pinkish, oily flesh that can be eaten raw as sashimi or baked, barbecued, marinated, smoked or fried. Like other tunas it is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and selenium. Most commercially caught New Zealand albacore is frozen and canned overseas.

When and where can you catch albacore in NZ?

In summer, from about December to April. Juvenile albacore school near the surface from the Bay of Plenty to Cook Strait and down the South Island west coast, mostly in water of about 16 to 19°C. Recreational catches are highest off the west coast, mainly by trolling lures from trailer boats.

How do you tell albacore from yellowfin tuna?

Check the pectoral fins. Albacore have very long pectoral fins that reach well back along the body. Yellowfin have shorter pectoral fins that do not reach past the end of the second dorsal fin base, and bright yellow finlets.