Commercial and Recreational Harvest of Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) in Oregon, 2021 Annual Report

Identification Information

Citation

Originator: Noordman, Lindsey

Publish Date: 2022

Online Link: None

BPA Project #:

Contact Information

Agency: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Name: Lindsey Noordman

Job Position: Marine Resources Nearshore and Albacore Fishery Specialist

Telephone: 541-867-4741

E-Mail Address: lindsey.l.noordman@odfw.oregon.gov

Description

Abstract: Albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) is a highly migratory species found worldwide in temperate seas. Albacore caught off Oregon belong to the North Pacific stock and are generally juvenile or sub-adult fish that have not spawned. During their trans-Pacific migrations, vessels of several nations target albacore including the United States, Canada, Taiwan, and Japan. The United States West Coast fishery harvests this stock during the summer and early fall months. Commercial harvest of hook-and-line caught, or “troll-caught” albacore tuna has occurred off Oregon since 1929 when the fishery expanded north from the traditional Southern California grounds. Originally, both bait-boats and jig-boats fished for albacore off Oregon, but in recent years jig boats have predominated. Bait fishing with live anchovies is once again beginning to gain some popularity, especially late in the season, but is still less common in Oregon due to live anchovies being unavailable in Oregon ports. The west coast fleet consists primarily of vessels ranging from 20 to 60 feet in length, with multiple permits to harvest crab, salmon, or groundfish at other times of the year. Crews range in size from single-handed small boats up to large freezer boats with a crew of 10 or more, but on most boats, there are two to four aboard. Albacore boats employ several methods of preservation including ice for one to three-day fishing trips, and blast- or brine-freezing equipment for indefinite excursions at sea. Some of the larger freezer boats (>60 ft.) travel the North Pacific year-round while primarily fishing for albacore. An agreement under the 1981 US/Canada Albacore treaty allows up to 45 Canadian vessels to fish and land tuna in the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), between June 15 and September 15. Authorized ports for Canadian vessels landing albacore in Oregon are Astoria, Newport, and Charleston.

Purpose:

Time Period of Content: 2021

Geographic Extent: Oregon Coast

Status: Final

Use Constraints:

Format: PDF

Data Quality Information

Lineage-Source: Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Contract 20-42G, Amendment 1 Subcontract of NOAA Award Number 1305M321PNFFR0365

Data Information

No data information was supplied.

Entity and Attribute Information

Attributes Description: Field attribute information is available in the attached file(s).

Is a physical copy maintained for reference at Headquarters? Unknown