Tuna
Tuna seasonality depends on the species. Albacore peaks from July to September, while Bluefin is most abundant from June to December.
During these months, migration patterns bring them into prime fishing grounds when their oil content and meat quality are highest. Sustainability varies significantly by species and method. Skipjack is generally the most sustainable and abundant, usually used for canning. For Albacore and Yellowfin, look for pole-and-line or troll-caught labels to avoid the high bycatch associated with longlines. Bluefin stocks have faced severe overfishing, so only purchase from strictly managed artisanal fisheries with high-tier sustainability certifications. Avoiding Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) is the standard for reducing the accidental capture of non-target species like sharks and turtles.
Reference Data
McCance & Widdowson 20219 samples, 9 products, frozen and chilled