Why is Oregons Choice Albacore so low in mercury?
The longer the fish has been in the ocean, the more time it has to accumulate mercury. Our fish are young – mostly 2, 3 and 4 year old fish have not had the time to accumulate mercury as compared to the large amounts of mercury found in the large old fish favored by major canners. The younger fish swim closer to the surface of the water, which is where we fish; while the older fish swim closer to the ocean floor. More information about very low levels of mercury in Albacore can be found on the American Albacore Fishermens Association website www.americanalbacore.com. Also, Environmental Defense has not issued a consumption advisory for hook and line caught Albacore tuna because of our fishing methods.
