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Seafood -
Commercial Fishing For Albacore Tuna
(Thunnus alalunga)
Commercial fishing vessels
that harvest younger surface-swimming albacore
are called "jig
boats" because they fish with jigs.
They are also called
"trollers" since they "troll" for albacore
Seafood - Commercial Fishing for Albacore Tuna:
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.
Commercial fishing vessels
that harvest younger surface-swimming albacore are called "jig
boats" because they fish with jigs. They are also called
"trollers" since they "troll" for albacore
Consumers are increasingly
concerned about the sustainability of fisheries. A number
of programs have been developed to help consumers identify and
support responsible and sustainable fisheries. Perhaps the most
widely accepted of these programs is that of the Marine
Stewardship Council (MSC).
The Marine Stewardship Council, after extensive review of
the best available science, declared the U.S. North and South
Pacific albacore pole and line and troll fisheries ("pole and
troll") as the only certified sustainable tuna fisheries in the
world. However, the MSC is currently (2010) studying the
possibility of certifying the Maldives islands pole and line
fishery for skipjack, bigeye and yellowfin tunas. Some other
artisanal and semi-artisanal pole and line and handline
fisheries around the world are also potentially certifiable.
U.S. albacore vessels are eligible for the MSC certification
through a certification-sharing program administered by the
American Albacore Fishing Association.
Products from MSC certified sustainable fisheries are readily
identifiable by the MSC's distinctive blue and white
"eco-label".
The MSC certification program establishes that the seafood
product is traceable to the certified sustainable fishery.
VIDEO: How to fillet an Albacore Tuna
Instructional video on filleting a Albacore Tuna, by John Blanchard of the
fishing vessel Bess Chet. D dock Charleston, Oregon
More links about
Albacore Tuna and Tuna Information
American
Albacore Fishing Association - AAFA is currently the ONLY Pole &
Troll MSC Certified Tuna Fishery. AAFA has been awarded the Marine
Stewardship Council’s coveted eco-label for sustainable fishing.
Products from the AAFA tuna fishery may now carry the Marine Stewardship
Council eco-label which will distinguish it as a certified sustainable
and well-managed fishery.
Marine Stewardship Council
- The MSC's fishery certification program and seafood ecolabel recognise
and reward sustainable fishing. We are a global organisation working
with fisheries, seafood companies, scientists, conservation groups and
the public to promote the best environmental choice in seafood.
