Fishing Methods and Equipment of the U.S. West Coast Albacore Fleet

摘要

North Pacific albacore, Thunnus alalunga, support an important U.S. commercial fishery on the west coast of North America as well as a substantial sport fishery. Trolling (also called jig fishing or jigging) and live bait fishing account for almost the entire landings of albacore by the U.S. west coast albacore fleet. A small quantity of albacore, usually mixed with bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), is usually caught each year by purse seiners fishing for the bluefin tuna. This paper is a description of the equipment that is presently used by baitboats and jigboats in the U.S. west coast albacore fleet. Bait fishing and jig fishing methods are described in detail, as well as are some of their advantages and disadvantages.