AMERICAN FISHERMEN'S RESEARCH FOUNDATION

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 albacore fishermen of the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand, along with major processors, buyers, and others on the West Coast of the U.S. and beyond.

VESSEL NEEDED FOR ARCHIVAL TAGGING: AFRF is soliciting applications from vessels to make a tagging trip of 3-6 days in later September 2010 off Oregon. Vessels should be able to fish in live bait methods and be of adequate size for two extra persons. For infromation or, Application Download
Contact: AFRF E-Mail

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!

Comment: 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. The industry by contribution pays most of the funds beyond dock price of albacore. AFRF supports the entire albacore fishery with its’ efforts, not just individuals and association members.

Although AFRF has taken on 100's of projects in nearly 40 years, AFRF still remains little understood by many fishermen. AFRF is managed by the board listed on the sidebar above and they are elected by the WFOA board, and processor segment. Directors are not paid except for travel to meetings and a $40 per diem at meetings. AFRF contracts with consultants like Dr. Wespestad to represent AFRF and the industry. AFRF also spends considerable resources in having representatives at management forums both federally and internationally.

Unfortunately, despite almost total participation by west coast U.S. albacore buyers and processors some have chosen not to contribute in any way. Some fishermen see AFRF as $20 out of their pocket, which it is not, and or a way for WFOA to finance its own agenda instead of seeing the larger picture. AFRF, on a number of occasions invited skeptics to board meetings for input. Some have participated but have generally not offered any effort or time beyond that to make AFRF better for the entire industry. AFRF has also offered seats on the board to skeptics but they would rather not participate.

AFRF is not perfect, but has been the only research group invented by the fishing industry to help save it from bogus data and information from others who have agendas based on fiction rather than fact. If no one stands up for fishermen with good science and information, and the industry is in factions over small issues in the larger picture we will not last long.

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, 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)