Western Fishboat Owners Association
wfoa-tuna.org
The Western Fishboat Owners Association, WFOA- is a non-profit association representing albacore troll-vessel owners and supporting businesses in mainly in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. They also maintain a limited membership of vessels in New Zealand, and British Columbia, Canada. These family-owned boats fish for Wild Pacific Albacore from June through October, and in the South Pacific from January through April.
Hook and line vessels fished by members of the same families over several generations form the core of the Western Fishboat Owners Association. Locally available West Coast albacore is a fish repeatedly recognized by the FDA as nutritionally beneficial. Western Fishboat Owners Association shares with American Albacore Fishing Association (AAFA) certification by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for troll and pole caught albacore in the North and South Pacific. They are also on the Monterey Bay’s Aquarium – “Green List” of sustainabilty and good fishing practices. The recognized sustainability of Pacific Albacore fisheries is important for their member-operators, who annually harvest only a small fraction — 15 to 20 percent — of the entire North Pacific catch.
The Western Fishboat Owners Association has 20 directors from 10 districts. The number of directors in each district is based on the total number of regular members in each district. The numbers are reapportioned each year prior to the annual general membership meeting. WFOA is based in Redding, California and hires office help and other staff as needed.
Western Fishboat Owners Association Vessel Underway
