Attn. Tuna Specialists

[shaman]

I read with interest the recent post regarding the 138 kg tuna (saltwater section) and am hoping that someone can answer my query. The question I am posing is this. What type of Tuna is generally found in the tuna tempters, is it Albacore or some other variety? The reason I ask is I am currently researching the mercury/dioxin levels in seafood. I am currently on a non-red meat diet due to health reasons and am using seafood as my primary protein source and tinned tuna/herring/sardines are very convenient and bloody tasty (Chillie Tuna MMMM). Apparently levels vary from species to species and obviously location of capture. Hopefully I can put my mind to rest if I can get an idea of what species of tuna i'm consuming and therefore research it succesfully.
Thanx, Billy.

[Bushbasher]

We've got the only cannery in the country here in Pt Lincoln and I can catagorically confirm that it's the skipjack tuna used for canning as I watched a whole shit... er, ship load of frozen skipjack being unloaded off the boat right along side me the other day while I was tossing out a chromie for some salmon.

Cheers
Bushbasher

[wayne_cook]

I'd think the smaller fish would be what u are after.
Canned tuna would probably be a mix of small & large depending upon availability.
A bit of a lucky dip imo.

[Leo_N.]

Seem to recall Safcol advertising that they used yellowfin tuna. Check the ingredients list on the can/packet and it should tell you.