The American Fishermen's Research Foundation (AFRF) was founded in 1971 to fill a void in research on albacore tuna fisheries. AFRF is a non-profit organization supported entirely by troll and pole albacore west coast albacore industry.

AFRF is dedicated to aiding, encouraging, promoting, and supporting science and education related to Pacific albacore tuna. We work closely with the scientific community and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and with research organizations and agencies of other nations. AFRF is managed by the Western Fishboat Owners' Association; further information on markets, methods, and specifics of the troll fishery can be found on WFOA’s website.

This site includes albacore-specific information on the Archival Tagging Project (in the research section), along with detailed information about highly migratory species and fisheries (in the management section), and a primer on fisheries assessment. Additional information is available here on the American Fishermen's Research Foundation, educational efforts sponsored by the AFRF and others, and links to research about the benefits of including albacore tuna in a healthy diet. We've also included a lengthy list of links to other sites with related information.

If you don't find here what you're looking for, you can write or call or email us (see the contact link) and we'll assist you in finding it. Thanks!

The American Fishermen’s Research Foundation (AFRF) has supported research and education of the albacore and pole and troll fishery since 1971. It was founded by fishermen with foresight to see the issues we are now facing such as maintaining access to the ocean for all U.S. albacore fishermen. More than six million dollars have been spent on projects and research related to this fishery.

AFRF contracts with consultants like Dr.Vidar Wespestad and othersto represent AFRF and the industry in international and federal scientific forums. AFRF also spends considerable resources in having representatives at management forums both federally and internationally.

AFRF has been the only one of few research groups founded by the fishing industry to promote sound science and research.

AFRF Buyers: The following have signed AFRF contracts and pay AFRF fees dedicated to research and public education on all Pacific troll/live bait caught albacore landed in their facilities.

Bornstein Seafoods Inc., Bumble Bee Seafoods,Chicken of the Sea International, Driscoll's Wharf, Harbour Marine Products Inc., High Seas Tuna Co., Interocean Seafoods Inc., Island Trollers Inc., Jessie's Ilwaco Fish Company, JK Fisheries, Ilwaco Landing LLC, New Day Fisheries, Ocean Gold Seafoods, Pacific Seafood Group, Papa George Gourmet Albacore, Pelican Packers Inc., Seafood Producers Co-op, Shamrock Fisheries, Star Kist Seafoods, Starvin Marvin Seafoods, Trident Seafoods, Tri-Marine International, Triatun Inc., Whole Foods Select Fish, Wild Planet Foods Inc.(Carvalho)