Albacore on the Line
A Winter Waters culinary gathering for food professionals
Sunday, February 1, 2026, 11am-1pm, Portland, Oregon
Albacore on the Line brings food professionals together for a casual, chef-led tasting of thoughtfully prepared dishes highlighting Oregon-caught Albacore tuna. This Winter Waters gathering is designed for professional cooks, servers, seafood market staff, distributors, and restaurant owners to receive practical education, connect directly with Oregon Albacore fishermen, and taste albacore across a range of applications and cooking styles suited for real working kitchens. Plus, it will be a delicious and fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Portland and kick off the Blue Foods Forum! Use the Albacore on the Line Invite Request Form to confirm your eligibility to attend and to receive the ticketing link.
Full chef lineup coming soon, but expect to experience an albacore bite prepared by Chef Jeff Kim of Aji Fish Butchery and the culinary students and tribal members of the Siletz Valley School. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter for updates.
This event is hosted by Winter Waters, with support from the Oregon Albacore Commission and the Oregon Ocean Cluster. It’s an auxiliary event which will kickoff the Blue Foods Forum. Learn more and get tickets to the Seafaring Speakeasy of the Symposium HERE.
Oregon fishing grounds offer the best wild albacore
Oregon fishermen target albacore when the schools move close to shore during their summer migration, a moment that aligns perfectly with peak eating quality. At this stage in their life cycle, albacore have been feeding heavily on oil rich anchovies and sardines concentrated by coastal upwelling. That diet translates directly to the plate, with firmer texture, cleaner flavor, and higher levels of naturally occurring oils that carry both richness and nutritional value.
Combined with careful handling and rapid chilling at sea, Oregon caught albacore is a premium, versatile protein that meets the standards of high volume service while still offering the integrity and flavor expected in top tier culinary settings.
Members of our Oregon Albacore fishing community feel personally accountable for the wholesomeness of the fish, the long-term sustainability of the fishery, and the health of our oceans. In the same way that local farmers and ranchers strive to deliver the best fresh vegetables and meats, local Oregon fishermen deliver the very best albacore, whether fresh, frozen, or micro-canned in small batches.
Upholding high standards and sustainability in fishery management
The fishing practices of the Oregon Albacore fleet are a source of pride for Oregonians. These high standards have been commended by leading environmental groups.
Ranked a Best Choice by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program. This ranking is the highest global standard. One of only four super-green seafoods on the MBA Seafood Watch Super Green List.
Certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) as caught by sustainable and well-managed methods.
KEX Portland (near the venue in Portland) is offering 20% off rooms for Blue Foods Forum and Albacore on the Line attendees 1/30 - 2/6. Use the code WATERS2026 when booking.