MEET THE FLEET Gourmet custom canned Stores and markets Direct from the boats Buy online!

Most of the tuna fishing boats on the West Coast are family-owned and family-operated, and many have been in operation for decades. Our MEET THE FLEET section includes profiles of some of these fishing families and their operations -- and their favorite albacore recipes!

Pacific troll-caught albacore tuna is available from a variety of sources, including stores and markets, custom canning operations, and even direct from the boat operators themselves. Many sources now offer the convenience of online ordering using a credit card or bank card for purchase.

Younger troll-caught albacore contain more beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids than older, larger albacore more commonly available on the market. Omega-3s are associated with reducing the risks or effects of heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, lupus, and other medical conditions. Because of its naturally high Omega-3 content, the rich, satisfying, yet mild troll-caught albacore needs less mayonnaise or other added fats in your favorite recipes.

Processing techniques also affect the Omega-3 content of canned albacore. Most canned albacore sold by the big major brands comes from older, larger albacore, which is cooked twice during the canning process. While the process is easier, most Omega-3s are lost in the process. Some fishermen now offer custom-canned troll-caught albacore, hand-packed and cooked just once to prevent the loss of Omega-3s and rich flavor.

More about harvest age More about trolling More about supermarket canned More about custom canned More about Omega-3s

"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.