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.

TAG VESSELS NEEDED FOR 2008: Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC - NOAA/NMFS) in cooperation with AFRF will conduct two archival tagging charters in 2008. One in July and one in September. For more specifics and an application please see:Application & Information.

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!

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.

Arrowac Fisheries, Bluewater Fisheries, Bornstein Seafoods Inc., Bumble Bee Seafoods, Carvalho Fisheries, Chicken of the Sea International, Driscoll's Wharf, Interocean Fisheries, Island Trollers Inc., Jessie's Ilwaco Fish Company,Ilwaco Landing LLC, Mary-Lu Seafoods, New Day Fisheries, 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