Proximate composition of albacore tuna,Thunnus alalunga,from the temperate South Pacific and Tasman Sea

The proximate composition was determined of the white muscle of albacore tuna, Thunnus alalunga, caught by surface trolling along the Subtropical Convergence Zone east of the South Island of New Zealand ("Area 1"), and to the north and west of the North Island ("Area 2"). Fish from Area 1 were 70 ± 10 cm (mean ± s.d.) in fork length, and higher in oil content (4.6 ± 2.9%), than Area 2 fish which measured 55 ± 10 cm and contained 2.8 ±1.7% oil. The ash content of the white muscle of all fish sampled was 1.2 ± 0.1%, and the soluble carbohydrate content 0.36 ± 0.04%. Crude protein contents were calculated at c. 25%. Statistical relationships between moisture and oil contents of both white and red muscle were determined; they can be used to predict oil content from a known moisture content. Oil content was positively correlated with fork length, and negatively correlated with the sea surface temperature at time of capture. Oil levels in the fillet were highest in the muscle layer immediately below the skin and decreased logarithmically with depth. In fish with low white‐muscle oil content (below 5%), the corresponding red‐muscle oil content was higher; above 6% white muscle oil content the corresponding red‐muscle oil content was lower. The proximate composition of whole fish, the head, frame, skin, and viscera is presented.