Welcome to Sea-Ex - Australian Fish and Seafood Photographs and Information

Recreational Angling Site

Angling, Boating, Fishing Info, Sailing, Diving, Boat Charters, Fishing Guides, Marinas etc. CLICK HERE

Fish & Other Seafood

Beche De Mer
(Sea Cucumber)

The Albacore Tuna, Thunnus alalunga, is a type of tuna in the family Scombridae. This species is also called albacore fish, albacore tuna, longfin, albies, pigfish, tombo ahi, binnaga, Pacific albacore, German bonito (but see bonito), longfin tuna, longfin tunny, or even just tuna. It is the only tuna species which may be marketed as "white meat tuna" in the United States. Albacore are pelagic fish.

Albacore tuna is a highly migratory finfish species that roams the waters of the world. It is found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea. Lengths range up to 140 cm and weights up to 45 kg. In Australia albacore tuna are present in east and south Australian waters and from east of Torres Strait to the north west shelf. The distribution of albacore is related to oxygen concentration and water temperature. Whilst albacore feed at the surface, they primarily live at the thermocline, which is the boundary separating warmer surface waters and deeper, cooler waters. Mature albacore travel from temperate waters to the tropics but return to temperate waters after spawning.

Albacore is a prized food, and the albacore fishery is economically significant. Methods of fishing include pole and line, long-line fishing, trolling, and some purse seining. It is also sought after by sport fishers.  "Troll-caught" albacore are tuna between 3 and 5 years old, harvested by trolling jigs behind a slow-moving boat. Commercial fishermen in North America have used this low-impact, environmentally responsible fishing technique to catch albacore for nearly a century now, while albacore fishing fleets from other countries tend to use other fishing methods.

The pectoral fins of the albacore are very long, as much as 50% of the total length. The dorsal spines are 8 to 10 in number, and well forward of the rays of the dorsal fin. The anterior spines are much longer, giving a concave outline to the spiny part of the dorsal fin.
 

An Albacore's distinct feature is it's very long pectoral fins, usually one third or more of the fork length, and extending past the insertion of the anal fin. 

Albacore has beautiful white flesh, and is delicious to eat., with a delicate taste. Known as "chicken of the sea". Albacore tuna are low in carbohydrates, high in protein and Omega-3 "good" oils.

It is a prized sporting fish which will take small lures and also live bait.      

Albacore are generally caught in waters off New South Wales from September to December and in April and May. Anglers often use trolling methods with artificial lures and live or dead baits to catch albacore