Species profile
Albacore
Thunnus alalunga
At a glance
Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 8 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 5 (Massachusetts); the most generous is 25 (California).
Confirmed by 26 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Washington, and British Columbia the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Albacore is the only tuna species whose meat can legally be labeled 'white meat' in the United States.
- Their pectoral fins are exceptionally long, extending past the second dorsal fin — a key identification feature.
- Albacore migrate thousands of miles across entire ocean basins following seasonal temperature gradients.
- They can live up to 12 years and reach about 4 feet in length.
- Like all tunas, albacore are endothermic, maintaining body temperatures warmer than the surrounding water.
Where Albacore are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Albacore
Background
The albacore, known also as the albicore or longfin tuna, is a species of tuna of the order Scombriformes. It lives in temperate and tropical waters across the globe in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. There are six distinct stocks known globally in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. The albacore has an elongate, fusiform body with a conical snout,…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Albacore article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.