Yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares

Description
Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is one of seven principal tuna market species. They inhabit tropical and sub-tropical pelagic waters and support the second largest tuna fishery in the world. They have a fusiform body shape and can reach a weight of 200 kg and 1.5 m in length.

Origin
Woolworths sources wild-caught yellowfin tuna from both South Africa and the Maldives to ensure an all-year-round supply of tuna. Woolworths’ South African tuna is mainly obtained from small-scale rod-and-reel fishing boats, but longline caught tuna is also sourced. The Maldivian yellowfin tuna is caught by handlines and flown in fresh.

Attributes
Yellowfin tuna has a medium flavour, medium oiliness and moist flesh. The flesh is deep red while raw, with a very firm texture. It is high in protein and low in calories.

Cooking
Yellowfin tuna is best not cooked well done as it loses flavour and becomes dry. It is delicious pan-seared, grilled, oil-poached, baked or raw as sushi and sashimi.

Sustainability

The Maldives Handline Yellowfin Tuna Fishery is currently in a fisheries improvement project, registered with fisheryprogress.org , and has obtained an A-rating for progress. In South Africa, yellowfin tuna are caught one-by-one using in the pole line fishery by small-scale fishermen. Woolworths is in the process of developing a yellowfin longline fishery improvement project in collaboration with industry stakeholders.