【Reading】びんちょう

【English Name】Albacore (Bintoro)

Bincho is a species of small tuna belonging to the genus Thunnus in the family Scombridae. Its standard Japanese name is binnaga (albacore), and the name "bincho" derives from the on-reading of the characters 鬢長. Its scientific name is Thunnus alalunga. It is widely distributed across seas worldwide from the tropics to the temperate zone; in the waters around Japan it inhabits seas south of Hokkaido, though records on the Sea of Japan side are not numerous.

Adults reach about 140 cm in total length and around 60 kg in weight, but among tunas they fall into the small category. The greatest external feature is their remarkably long pectoral fins, and the Japanese name derives from likening these pectoral fins to sideburns (bin). The alternative name "tombo-maguro" (dragonfly tuna) is also a name comparing the shape of the pectoral fins to a dragonfly's wings. The white-edged margin of the tail fin is also used to distinguish it from closely related species.

The color of the flesh is a pale pink with a whitish tint; though it is a red-fleshed fish, its color is light, and its texture is very soft. In the world market, demand for canning is extremely high, and annual catches since the 1960s have remained stable at around 200,000 tons. As a sushi topping, fatty individuals landed in cold-water seas are offered as "bintoro," mainly at conveyor-belt sushi (kaitenzushi), where it is very popular. It is enjoyed in various ways, such as fried dishes, sauteed dishes, and processing into tuna shavings (maguro-bushi).