Albacore Tuna

Average size 55-65 cm, weighing 3.5-5.5 kg. Found around New Zealand to about 45 degrees South as deep swimming adult fish during winter and surface schooling juveniles in summer. Blavkish-blue above, lower sides and belly silvery grey. Long pectoral fin. Main summer grounds December to May are East cape to hawke Bay, possibly south to Kaikoura, off the east coast, and off the west coast between New Plymouth and Fiordland, where small vessels operate using troll and pole and line methods. Main winter fishing grounds are to the east of New Zealand between the Kermadec Islands and the Chatham Rise where foreign longliners catch larger adult fish. Abundant. A large resource.