Albacore! Prior to 2009/2010, it used to be San Diego’s summertime sportfishing setup.
Word would quickly spread, sending excited anglers scurrying to the San Diego sportfishing landings for their chance at landing some longfins.
However, during the past 15 years the albacore migration has largely passed by Southern California, and we’ve seen virtually no albacore tuna catches. That goes for both sportfishing and commercial boats. What’s behind this perplexing disappearance?
The Cool Water Connection
Albacore tuna are creatures of cool water. Albacore tuna are also what we call a stenothermal species, meaning they prefer a narrow range of water temperatures. That range is typically from 59 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Historically, the California Current, which runs along the West Coast, provided ideal conditions for these prized game fish. But something has changed.
Ocean temperatures have been steadily rising due to Earth’s changing climate. This warming trend has pushed the albacore’s preferred water temperature northward and outward, away from the Southern California coast.
As a result, these sleek predators are now more frequently found in coastal waters off Oregon and Washington. There have even been albacore caught off the coast of Alaska!
Shifting Currents and Upwelling
Another factor contributing to the decline in albacore catches is the alteration of ocean currents and upwelling patterns. Upwelling brings cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface, supporting a thriving marine ecosystem. Changes in these patterns can disrupt the food chain and affect the distribution of fish species, including albacore.
While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, it’s clear that these oceanographic shifts have had a significant impact on the availability of albacore in Southern California waters.
A Changing Ocean, A Changing Climate
The decline in albacore catches in San Diego waters is primarily attributed to changing ocean conditions.
Here are the key factors:
- Warming Ocean Temperatures: As previously mentioned Albacore prefer cooler water temperatures. As ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, their preferred habitat is shifting northward.
- Oceanographic Changes: Alterations in ocean currents and upwelling patterns can influence the availability of nutrients and prey for albacore, impacting their distribution.
- Population Dynamics: Fluctuations in albacore populations can also affect their presence in specific areas.
While albacore catches have decreased to near zero in San Diego, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve disappeared from our waters entirely. There might still be occasional catches, but the consistency and abundance of years past are no longer present.
Head North for Albacore
Famed investor Charlie Munger once said “You need to fish where the fish are!” He may have been talking about business, but we are literally talking about fishing where the fish are.
In the past decade most of the sport-caught albacore on the west coast have been taken from Monterey north to Washington state. Places like Ilwaco and Westport in Washington and Newport and Depoe Bay in Oregon are building reputations as albacore fishing “hot spots.” Compared to SoCal albie catching opportunities, they are.
Albacore trips up north are typically offered from July-October.
When was the last time you caught an albacore? Have you ever seen one? Planning a trip to target this species? Leave your thoughts in the comments section.
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