AFRF: ARCHIVAL TAGGING

ARCHIVAL TAGGING OF NORTH PACIFIC ALBACORE:

OVER 40 YEARS OF COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. ALBACORE FISHERY

The American Fishermen’s Research Foundation (AFRF)

Watch this wmv video of surgical installation of a tag.

SWFSC 2011 Tagging Published Report is now available by clicking here. REPORT

1970-1980:

Exploratory fishing in offshore waters
Research into fishery oceanography
Development of standard logbooks

1980-1990:

At-sea observer program to assess driftnet damage
Shore-based tank studies to determine net drop-out rates
Exploratory fishing in South Pacific waters

1990-2000:

Research on remote-sensing products and their delivery
Continued observer coverage to aid enforcement
Data collection on non-target species
Data collection on discards of undersize fish

2000 and beyond:

Economic survey
Research into a limited entry program
Improved logbooks
Onboard length sampling
Albacore archival tagging

AFRF and the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center have cooperated on research since 1971 and research efforts have followed changes in the Pacific fishery. In the 1970s the fishery was expanding and the international fishery catch was increasing catches. At that time AFRF research focused on identifying offshore areas of albacore abundance to expand U.S. participation in the fishery.

From 1977 to 1991, apparent excessive fishing in prior years and increased high seas driftnet fishing caused the fishery to decline. AFRF research then focused on strategies to limit the driftnet fishery and on locating new alternate stocks should the North Pacific stock continue to decline.

Archival Tag Recovery Information American Fishermens's Research Foundation has deployed nearly 700 tags since 2001. The reward for recoverying and sending in the whole fish is now $1,000. If you find one in your albacore please seperate the fish and contact SWFSC, your buyer, or AFRF. For examples of tags see: Tag Photos, Example of Worm Not Tag, Recovery Instructions.

New Tagging Article: This is a great article written by one of the recretaional fishermen who recovered one of these tags. AFRF really appreciates the effort in explainng the tagging in an easy way to understand. LINK. AFRF has been waiting three year for NMFS - SWFSC to finalize their report.

For Further Information See: SWFSC Tagging Webpage