We invest in science for a greater understanding of Pacific Albacore Tuna and the continuation of sustainable management.
OUR MISSION
Today, U.S. wild-caught Pacific Albacore Tuna stocks are healthy and sustainable.
We want to keep it that way. The Albacore Research Foundation brings together scientists and fishing industry professionals with the common goal of thriving and sustainable Pacific Albacore Tuna stocks. Our collaborative research plays a leading role in the understanding of Pacific Albacore Tuna and informs sound management practices.
OUR HISTORY
Collaborative
The Albacore Research Foundation (ARF) was founded in 1971 as the American Fishermen’s Research Foundation (AFRF). Frank Martins, the first president, had a vision to facilitate cooperative research between the Pacific Albacore Tuna fishing industry and research scientists. The goal of that research was to provide information that would lead to a consistent and increased supply of Pacific Albacore Tuna to the west coast fishery. Since that supply would benefit both fishermen and fish buyers, the board was set up to equally represent both sides of the industry. In 2024, AFRF was renamed ARF to better communicate its research focus.
Solution-Oriented
The focus of ARF research in the first two decades was exploratory fishing and efforts to predict the distribution and abundance of the species. Results included the development of the Midway and South Pacific offshore troll fisheries, the use of oceanographic and satellite data to locate Albacore Tuna, and the accumulation of logbook data that documented catch and effort in the fishery. During those years there were also predictions issued before the season, exploratory charters, fish reports during the season, and satellite imagery and weather information provided to the fleet.
By the end of the 20th century the political climate and the needs of the fishery had changed. In the face of increasing restrictions in all fisheries, maintaining access to the resource would be the biggest challenge going forward. Policy changes at the federal and international levels meant that fisheries could be restricted for lack of information showing the health of the stock. It is vital to the fishermen’s interests that good data and good science is available and is used in management decisions. Fortunately, much of the previous and ongoing work of ARF provides information that is used for stock assessment. Currently, the main focus of ARF is to continue to provide good data input to the management process, and to have representation present, both during the scientific process and the political process, to ensure that policy decisions are based on good science.
Experienced
Over the last 50 years, ARF has collaborated on many Pacific Albacore Tuna-related research and education projects including tagging, diet studies, genetic studies, sea surface temperature, Conductivity Temperature and Depth (CTD) research, migration patterns, weather-related projects, logbook development, and other topics. A favorite ongoing initiative is supporting new tuna researchers with the ARF scholarship to the annual Tuna Conference sponsored by the IATTC and the SWFSC. Pictured are: ARF Science Advisor, David Itano, 2018 Scholarship Award Recipient, Christina Hernández, and ARF Researcher Stephanie Snyder.
LEADERSHIP
The ARF board of directors is made up of equal parts processor representatives and other Pacific Albacore Tuna buyers, and fishing vessel owners. There are presently 14 directors.
Current DIRECTORS
Jeremy Brown - F/V Betty H
Bill/Ben Carvalho - Wild Planet Foods
Mike Cornman - Westport Seafood Co.
Henry deRonden - F/V New Dawn
Doug Fricke - F/V Howard H
Rick Goche - F/V Peso II
William Gounder - Chicken of the Sea
Matthew Hall - Star Kist Co.
Lewis Hill - F/V Holly H
Karl Johnson - F/V Seven Daughters
Larz Malony - Pacific Seafood Co.
Shawn Ryan - F/V San Pablo
Christa Svensson - Tri-Marine Group
Anthony Vuoso - Cal-Marine Fish Co.
Administrator
Ericka Carlson
Science advisor
David Itano
TRANSPARENCY
We strive to be open and accountable to our stakeholders and the public.
Once published, the research projects we contribute to are always publicly available. Search on the Studies page or for a deeper dive, researchers, educators and students can find a full catalogue of studies ARF has contributed to in the MBARI data directory. Contact ARF for more information about any of our past projects, ongoing studies or to find out how you can contribute to Pacific Albacore Tuna research.