Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) is a saltwater species recorded in the United States. It is found at depths of 0–600 m. The main season in the United States runs all year.
Scientific name: Thunnus alalunga · Water: Saltwater · Season: All year
Size: up to 140 cm
The albacore is an oceanic scombrid that is epipelagic and mesopelagic, abundant in surface waters of 15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius, with larger fish swimming deeper in waters of 13.5 to 25.2 degrees Celsius and temperatures as low as 9.5 degrees Celsius tolerated for short periods. It concentrates along thermal discontinuities and forms mixed schools with skipjack, yellowfin and bluefin tuna, sometimes associated with floating objects including sargassum weeds. It feeds on fishes, crustaceans and squids, and its eggs and larvae are pelagic. It is recorded from the surface down to 600 m, and its range is tropical and temperate waters of all oceans including the Mediterranean Sea, though not at the surface between 10 degrees north and 10 degrees south, while in the western Pacific it extends in a broad band between 40 degrees north and 40 degrees south. Maximum length is about 140 cm fork length, commonly about 100 cm fork length, and it can live nine years, maturing at about 85.2 cm. It is a highly commercial species and a gamefish, highly appreciated and marketed fresh, smoked, deep frozen or canned, with a high price category. Fishing vulnerability is high to very high at 71 of 100 and resilience medium, and climate vulnerability is moderate at 42 of 100. IUCN lists it as least concern. It is in season throughout the year.
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