Commercial albacore tuna fishery

The albacore tuna fishery is managed internationally through the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, as well as regionally by the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC). Management measures, with regards to the albacore stock and fisheries within each group's respective areas of jurisdiction, are coordinated to provide consistent implementation where possible.

This fishery has a U.S.-Canada Albacore Treaty that addresses reciprocal fishing effort off the U.S. West Coast. Authorized ports for Canadian vessels landing albacore in Oregon are Astoria, Newport and Coos Bay.

The Oregon albacore tuna fishery is an open access fishery, however, a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit is required from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). A logbook is also required by NMFS and should be kept up to date and submitted per NMFS rules.

There are options for the licenses that are required from ODFW for this fishery:

• If the vessel has a commercial license and everyone on board has either an individual or crew member license, then only a federal HMS permit is required (no additional Oregon licenses) and you can catch all HMS species.
• If the vessel has a commercial license but everyone on board does not have an individual or crew member license and all you are fishing for is albacore tuna, then you can purchase a Commercially Licensed Vessel Albacore Tuna Landing License that will act in lieu of everyone having a license.
• If your vessel is not commercially licensed and all you will be fishing for is albacore tuna, then you can purchase a Commercially Unlicensed Vessel Albacore Tuna Landing License that will act in lieu of the vessel and everyone on board having a license.

To learn more about the license requirements and other frequently asked questions about commercial albacore tuna fishing, view the Oregon Albacore Tuna Landing License Frequently Asked Questions.

Can I still sport fish on my boat if I purchase an Oregon Albacore Tuna Landing license?

Oregon law permits a commercial vessel to be used for sport fishing, but only on separate trips. You cannot sport fish and commercial fish on the same trip, and you must determine your trip type prior to leaving port. When recreationally fishing, you also need to use only sport fishing gear, and must have all required sport angling licenses and tags for the fishing that you will be doing.

If I only catch a few albacore on a commercial trip, can I take them home for personal use?

All fish caught commercially are required to be sold to a licensed commercial fish dealer and recorded on a fish receiving ticket. If you want to keep some of your catch, Oregon law allows for a "buyback" of your catch from the dealer. You will likely have to reimburse the dealer for the tax on the landing, and the fish dealer may charge an additional handling fee.

Can I sell my albacore catch to the public?

Separate licenses and regulations are required for commercial boats selling to the public. Contact ODFW licensing at 503-947-6177 for details. It is illegal to sell any sport caught fish.

Additional information:

Oregon Albacore Commission
Oregon Commercial Fishing Regulations synopsis
Oregon commercial license applications