AFRF INFORMATION

AMERICAN FISHERMEN'S RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The American Fishermen's Research Foundation (AFRF) was founded in 1971 to aid, encourage, promote, and support science and education in the field of albacore and related fish species. It is a nonprofit corporation organized under the General Non-Profit Corporation Law of the State of California and is tax-exempt.

Western Fishboat Owners Association AFRF is a fishery research foundation funded entirely by the U.S. / Canadian albacore troll fishery. Funding comes from tonnage delivered to AFRF contracted buyers, individual vessels, and alternate market sales. AFRF undergoes an audit of its finances each calendar year.

The board of directors is made up of one half processor representatives and other albacore buyers, and one half representatives from the Western Fishboat Owners Association (WFOA). There are usually 10 - 12 directors, and NMFS and NOAA representatives attend meetings in advisory roles.

The AFRF board meets three times a year; once in conjunction with the WFOA fall general meeting, once in the winter, and again during the spring. Ideas from the WFOA members, processors, and the scientific community are considered and projects are formulated from this information and participation.

AFRF works in close cooperation with NMFS/NOAA and major universities that contribute technical expertise in an advisory capacities. NMFS also supplies scientific equipment and personnel for vessels under charter to AFRF.

For more details, check our 2004 brochure (PDF) or the 2002 season report (PDF) compiled from the logbook program.