M&J Seafood has struck a deal with two Cornish skippers to exclusively supply British albacore tuna to the foodservice industry.
Not as large as the better-known yellowfin species, albacore yields smaller loins, which offer a different presentation where they can be seared and sliced like a pork fillet or tenderloin. Comparably meaty in taste and texture to yellowfin, it is much lighter in colour and is also referred to as white tuna.
Caught off the South West Cornish coast by two local skippers who have the exclusive rights to fish for the albacore, this sustainable commercial fishery is currently undergoing MSC pre-assessment. The boats are going out for around seven days at a time and catch the tuna using 10-14 lines with lures trailing behind the vessels, which is one of the most selective methods of fishing possible. Targeting 3-5 year old fish, which are of higher quality and richer in Omega-3 oils, the hooked tuna are landed, stunned and chilled to maintain quality.
Mike Berthet, group director fish and seafood said: “This fishery was struggling a year ago. The skippers, John Walsh of the "Charisma" and the "Nova Spero’s" Shaun Edwards were regularly landing good catches, but were finding it hard to sell it into a market unfamiliar with the species and some days were getting just £1 per kilo. With the increasing cost of going to sea, no fisherman can make a living at those prices.”
He continues: “Given that tuna is the fifth most popular fish in the UK, the price was not just totally uneconomic, but simply ridiculous in a world of rising fish prices overall. We’re committed to backing sustainable practices, so it was imperative that we support this valuable fishery. We’ve agreed a guaranteed fair price for their landings throughout this season, which will ensure this unique British source is fished to provide quality, sustainable produce and that the fishermen get a fair price.”
