Hand-packed and cooked just once for maximum flavor and nutrition, our albacore tuna are selected for their small size to ensure optimal levels of purity. In addition to ample protein, albacore provides omega-3s in abundance, and substantial amounts of vitamin D.Optimally pure, tender, and sustainable: All Vital Choice Albacore comes from a North Pacific fishery in which smaller boats line-catch individual tuna using the sustainable troll method. This ensures careful handling of each fish, safety for dolphins, and very minimal bycatch.Thanks to its sustainable harvest and lower mercury content, albacore from this fishery is categorized as "Super Green" by Monterey Bay Aquarium.Vital Choice Albacore Tuna is sustainably harvested by our neighbor Paul Hill, who quickly flash-freezes it on his small boat to preserve the fish at its peak of freshness.Because predatory fish such as tuna accumulate mercury over time, Paul provides us with younger, smaller Albacore tuna (14 lbs or less) for optimal purity. --- Our fishers do not target only the smallest halibut, tuna or other species, but these smaller fish comprise a portion of every boat"s catch. Once at the dock the fish are size-graded. Most companies prefer larger fish because they yield more flesh per pound and are less costly to process. We purchase the smallest available fish, and spend more on the processing because we (and our customers) believe their superior flavor and optimal purity are worth it.