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Albacore (Thunnus alalunga) The Albacore is the only kind of tuna allowed to be called "white meat tuna" in the U.S. market. Long-finned tuna, an alternative name for albacore, usually range in size between 10 to 50 lbs. These fish are continually on the move throughout their lives. Albacore usually migrate across the Pacific Ocean from Japan and up the coast of North America. Albacore, however, do not swim in tight schools like other tuna species. This usually means commercial fishing boats need to work harder and longer to fill their freezer full of fish. Usually, commercial fishing boats need to be a couple of hundred miles from shore to catch this long-finned tuna. (See Fishing for Tuna) Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) Skipjack is the smallest tuna canned. Its average size is 6 to 12 pounds. Although small, it accounts for the largest share of tuna caught and eaten by people around the world. In fact the majority of US canned tuna is packed with Skipjack. Skipjack live in warmer water temperatures which means they can be found around the world in the central belt of water. Purse seining and pole & line are the most common methods of catching this tuna. Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) Yellowfin gets its name from the bright yellow coloration of its fins and finlets. Its body reflects the color of most tuna, being metallic dark blue on the back, changing to yellow and silver on the belly. In the past, Yellowfin was the most important commercial catch, but because of improved dolphin safe catching methods, it's second to the Skipjack. Yellowfin tuna is still the largest of the tunas canned. This tuna can range in size between 30 pounds all the way up to 400 pounds!