Tuna Exchange Program

MERINO’S TUNA EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Exchange your fresh-caught albacore tuna for Merino’s canned tuna.

If you’re fishing for albacore tuna off the coast of Westport, Washington, you can bring your fresh-caught tuna to Merino’s Seafood Market and exchange a portion of your catch for Merino’s canned albacore tuna.

Our Tuna Exchange Program gives recreational tuna fishermen another way to enjoy their catch. Instead of exchanging all of your tuna, you can choose how much of your catch you want to put toward the program and receive Merino’s Lightly Salted or No-Salt Albacore Tuna in exchange.

HOW THE TUNA EXCHANGE WORKS

Bring your properly handled, fresh-caught albacore tuna to Merino’s Seafood Market in Westport, Washington.

The tuna must meet our handling and temperature requirements before it can be accepted into the exchange program. Once your fish has been inspected and accepted, we’ll weigh the tuna and determine the number of exchange cans based on its whole weight.

You do not have to exchange your entire catch. You can choose how much tuna you want to put toward the exchange and keep the rest for yourself or have it processed through our custom seafood processing services.

TUNA EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS

For the safety and quality of the seafood entering our processing system, the following requirements apply:

1. Tuna must be bled at the time of landing.

2. Tuna must be brought to us whole and in the round.

3. Tuna must have an internal temperature of 40°F or below.

4. You will be required to complete a trip information log.

The log includes information such as your vessel name, landing time, and confirmation that the tuna was properly handled and stored during your trip.

5. Merino’s reserves the right to refuse tuna that does not meet these requirements or appears to have been improperly handled.

These requirements help us maintain the quality of the fish entering our processing system and the canned seafood produced through the exchange program.

TUNA EXCHANGE PRICING

We currently offer Lightly Salted Albacore Tuna and No-Salt Albacore Tuna through the Tuna Exchange Program.

Exchange pricing is based on the whole weight of the albacore tuna you bring to us.

1 pound of whole albacore tuna = 1 exchange can

Current exchange can price:

$2.85 per can

WHAT KIND OF TUNA CAN I RECEIVE?

The Tuna Exchange Program currently offers:

Lightly Salted Albacore Tuna

No-Salt Albacore Tuna

These are available specifically through the tuna exchange program.

CAN I EXCHANGE ONLY PART OF MY CATCH?

Yes.

You do not have to exchange all of the tuna you bring us. We’ll only take the amount of tuna you choose to put toward the exchange.

If you would rather have your catch processed for your own use, we also offer custom tuna processing services.

CAN MY EXCHANGE CANS BE SHIPPED?

Yes. We can ship your exchange cans.

Shipping costs depend on the size of the shipment, and we’ll use the most affordable shipping method available.

WHEN IS WESTPORT TUNA SEASON?

Albacore tuna typically arrive off the Washington coast during the summer and remain available into the early fall.

The timing and length of the season can vary from year to year.

If you’re planning a Westport tuna fishing trip, check with local charter operators for current fishing information and availability.

PLAN YOUR WESTPORT TUNA FISHING TRIP

Planning a tuna fishing trip to Westport, Washington?

Merino’s Seafood Market is located right on the Westport waterfront and provides seafood processing, custom services, canned seafood, and our Tuna Exchange Program for recreational fishermen.

Bring us your properly handled albacore tuna and let us turn part of your catch into Merino’s canned tuna that you can enjoy long after your fishing trip is over.

Merino’s Seafood Market
Westport, Washington