Welcome to Hondarribia!
- Oskar Etxebeste Larruskain
- Pole and line
- Partner since 2016
- Hondarribia, Spain
In the colorful town of Hondarribia, many fishermen have spent their entire lives in the tuna trade. One of them is Oskar. He’s one of 160 fishers from the region. Together with his crew, he heads out into the Bay of Biscay to catch the very best albacore tuna—one by one.
Oskar fishes with trolling lines. The rods are attached to the boat instead of being held by the fisherman. The rods have lines with hooks that hang in the water. When they start fishing, the boat begins to move, causing the hooks to be dragged through the water. The tuna's hunting instinct is triggered: they chase the hooks and bite. The fishermen onboard can tell when they've caught one and reel in the tuna one by one.
Tuna, especially white tuna, traditionally plays a key culinary role in the local cuisine of the Basque Country. It's also affectionately called 'bonito' and can be found in many restaurants. Fresh tuna is delicious, but canned tuna doesn't fall short in flavor!
He’s one of the 160 albacore fishers in the region. Together with his crew of fifteen, he spends around 180 days a year at sea—mainly during the warmer months—chasing tuna. Like any true seaman, Oskar is deeply superstitious. “Before I head out, I always kiss my wedding ring—it brings me luck,” he says. His family is the biggest reason Oskar chooses to fish sustainably. But albacore isn’t the only fish he’s after. During anchovy season, Oskar also fishes for anchovies—just like Emilio!
Albacore tuna is not only delicious, but also super healthy! This type of tuna contains virtually no unhealthy saturated fats, but is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids. One serving provides the full daily recommended amount of omega-3s. These healthy fats (EPA and DHA) support your brain and contribute to a healthy heart and circulatory system. Additionally, albacore tuna is packed with protein, offering 25-29 grams per 100 grams. It's the perfect addition to your meal if you want to maintain muscle or need a protein boost!
Albacore tuna, also known as white tuna, holds a unique position among tuna species. It is larger than skipjack, but smaller than species like yellowfin or bluefin tuna. The meat is light pink, which is why it’s called "white" tuna, and it has a soft texture with a mild, refined flavor. Perfect for those who enjoy subtle tastes!
Albacore tuna is packed with protein—25 to 29 grams per 100 grams! It’s the perfect addition to your meal if you want to maintain muscle or need a protein boost. Looking for inspiration? Check out our recipe page!
We source our albacore tuna from two different fishing areas. For the tuna sold in the Netherlands, we work with Oskar and his crew who fish in the northeastern part of the Atlantic Ocean (FAO 27), near the coast of Spain. For our American "Sea Tales" tuna, Valerie and her team head out off the west coast of the US, in the northeastern part of the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California and Oregon. Both fisheries use troll lines or pole and line, depending on the behavior of the tuna during the fishing trip. These methods—essentially rods with a line and hook—ensure minimal bycatch and are the most sustainable ways to catch tuna.
Due to environmental pollution, there is indeed mercury in our oceans, and as a result, it can be found in albacore tuna as well. Since albacore tuna is slightly larger, can live longer, and is higher in the food chain than skipjack tuna, it tends to accumulate more mercury. While skipjack tuna may contain around 0.1-0.2 mg/kg of mercury, albacore typically contains about 0.3-0.5 mg/kg. Fortunately, this is still well below the legal limit of 1.0 mg/kg. The tuna species Bigeye and Bluefin are even larger and can therefore contain more mercury.
