Albacore Trolling Exploration in the Western North Pacific, 1977: Summary of Findings Made by Vessels on Charter to the American Fishermen's Research Foundation and the Pacific Tuna Development Foundation

U.S. albacore jig fishing vessels conducted exploratory fishing efforts for albacore in the western North Pacific for the third consecutive year in 1977. A major objective of the survey was to evaluate the feasibility for jig fishing for albacore in the western North Pacific, especially in the vicinity of the Emperor Seamount chain near 35°N and 170°E. Secondary objectives were to gain information for use in migrati studies of North Pacific albacore and the association of albacore with oceanographic features. Also, the vessels carried on fishing operations to assess and evaluate the possibilities for jig fishing for tuna and other fishes along the Hawaiian Island chain. Two fishing vessels, Typhoon with Captain Keith Coburn and Joann Marie with Captain Bill Michael, participated in the exploratory fishing operations. One of these was chartered by the American Fishermen's Research Foundation (Joann Marie) and the other by the Pacific TunaDevelopment Foundation (Typhoon). 1977 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) SWFSC (Southwest Fisheries Science Center) Library Public Domain 1930