Albacore Omakase at Takibi
Sunday, February 2nd — Takibi, NW Portland — TICKETING LINK COMING SOON
Mark your calendar for the evening of Sunday, February 2nd. Takibi, a modern Japanese restaurant in NW Portland, will be hosting a Winter Waters dinner in collaboration with the Oregon Albacore Commission to celebrate of this sustainable, delicious tuna and the hardworking fishermen who bring it to port. This collaborative dinner from Takibi and guest chef Jeff Kim of Aji Fish Butchery and Zilla Zake, will feature Oregon Albacore tuna as well as Oregon Seaweed in every course. This is an excellent chance for you to experience the versatility of Oregon-caught Albacore tuna. Bonus: albacore fishermen and representatives from the Oregon Albacore Commission will be on site to answer fishery-related questions you may have. This will be a delicious, educational affair.
Hang tight as details are still developing. We’ll share the reservation link to our newsletter subscribers first, so make sure you’re signed up: NEWSLETTER.
Takibi is an innovative restaurant developed by Snow Peak that highlights contemporary Japanese food inspired by gathering and cooking around the fire. The restaurant was named one of Esquire's Top 25 Bars in the US (2022) and a Top 50 Restaurant by Portland Monthly (2022).
Photo by Shawn Linehan, aboard F/V Jo/El
Oregon Albacore Tuna Sustainability
Oregon’s albacore tuna is caught using pole-and-line or troll-caught methods, which are known to have minimal environmental impact and produce high-quality, wild-caught fish. Each fish is caught by hand - meaning this approach helps maintain healthy fish populations and protects ocean ecosystems.
The Oregon Albacore fishery achieved Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, ensuring that the albacore you enjoy is sustainably sourced.
Supporting Oregon’s Coastal Communities
The albacore industry plays a vital role in Oregon’s economy, particularly for coastal communities. Buying local Albacore directly supports Oregon fishermen and their families. This economic support helps sustain jobs and maintains Oregon’s unique fishing heritage.
Many Oregon Albacore fishermen offer direct sales, allowing consumers to purchase fresh, high-quality albacore straight from the source. Buy locally and help ensure we have a thriving seafood economy along Oregon’s coast.
Check out the Buy page > oregonalbacore.org to see a full list of direct-to-consumer options.
Does Oregon Albacore have high levels of mercury?
The Pacific Albacore tuna our fleet catches in Oregon are in their juvenile stage. They’re relatively small, weighing 10-30 pounds. That means that Oregon-caught Albacore tuna have not had time to accumulate significant quantities of mercury.
OSU researchers at the Seafood Lab have found that small, troll-caught albacore tuna from the West Coast of the U.S. contain less than half the level of mercury found in brand-name canned albacore. The average mercury concentration was 0.14 parts per million, well below the limit of 1.00 part per million set by the Food and Drug Administration.
About Us
Winter Waters is an Oregon-born initiative dedicated to promoting seaweed as a superfood culinary ingredient and enhancing local Oregon coast food systems. Our mission is to bridge the gap between consumers and sustainable seafood sources through education and shared meals.
Each February, Winter Waters collaborates with chefs and tastemakers to celebrate local seafood! The state of Oregon boasts some of the most sustainable fisheries in the world, yet much of the seafood produced is exported, and a significant portion of consumed seafood is imported (about 90%!). There is a disconnect between the people and the process and we’d like to help bridge this gap through education and delicious culinary experiences.
Winter Waters Co-Founders: Alanna Kieffer, Kristen Penner, and Rachelle Hacmac