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The American Fishermen’s Research Foundation (AFRF) was established 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.

Wild Pacific Albacore

Wild Pacific Albacore

AFRF is the only research group founded by the fishing industry to promote sound science and research on a particular species. Our mission is for albacore to remain a sustainable resource and to provide a healthful food source to the consumer.

AFRF is a fishery research foundation funded entirely by the U.S. West Coast albacore troll-and-pole fishery. Funding is derived from tonnage delivered to AFRF-contracted buyers, individual vessels, and alternate market sales.

The albacore caught and processed under our programs are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)  as caught by sustainable and well-managed methods.

North Pacific Albacore tuna stocks are among the healthiest and most carefully managed in the world. According to the National Fisheries Institute, and backed up by 3-year stock assessments from the International Science Committee (ISC), albacore stocks are healthy and well managed. The healthiest and most bountiful stocks of albacore are in the Pacific Ocean; three times more albacore tuna is sourced from the Pacific than the Atlantic.

 

Since the 1970s NOAA‘s Southwest Fisheries Science Center has collaborated with the American Fishermen’s Research Foundation (AFRF) on studies of the albacore fisheries in the Pacific. Our archival tagging program contributes to fisheries research on Pacific albacore migrations.

 

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION:  The AFRF board of directors is made up of one half processor representatives and other albacore buyers, and one half representatives from fishing vessel owners. There are presently 16 directors.

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

 

AFRF Contracted Processor/Buyers:
The following have signed AFRF contracts and pay AFRF fees dedicated to research and public education on Pacific troll/live bait albacore tuna.

Bornstein Seafoods Inc.
Cal-Marine Fish Company
Chicken of the Sea International
C2C Premium Seafood
Da Yang Seafood
Oregon Seafoods
Pacific Seafood Group
Seafood Producers Co-op
Star Kist Company
Tri Marine Group
Westport Seafood Inc.
Wild Planet Foods Inc.