A rainbow forms above the Port of Ilwaco commercial fishing fleet following a brief rainstorm Monday, Nov. 11.

ILWACO — West coast commercial albacore fishermen had a solid 2024 season, delivering more than 4.5 million pounds to Washington ports.

In Washington, the 2024 albacore season brought in 2,102 metric tons of catch with an average price of $1.53 per pound, generating approximately $7.1 million in revenue, according to figures from the Pacific Fisheries Information Network.

The ports of Ilwaco and Chinook combined to account for 69 metric tons, or 153,839 pounds, with an average price of $1.85, totaling $284,707, representing approximately 3% of the total catch statewide.

A vast majority of the Washington commercial albacore catch — nearly 90% — went to Westport, where 1,916.8 metric tons were delivered, averaging $1.48, totaling $6.26 million.

Ports in Oregon accounted for 2,254.8 metric tons, averaging $1.67, totaling $8.28 million. Newport accounted for 1,015.21 metric tons, the most in Oregon, followed by Coos Bay (640.24) and Astoria (412.4).

Ports in California accounted for 90.8 metric tons, with an average price of $2.30 per pound, totaling $449,428.

Local offloads dwindle

This season a total of 4,448 metric tons was offloaded in Washington, Oregon and California combined, with an average price of $1.61, totaling $15.82 million. The total is up significantly from 2023, when 2,695 metric tons were caught, averaging $1.32 and totaling $7.82 million, but down from the bountiful 2022 season, when 7,195 metric tons were caught, averaging $2.17 and totaling $34.37 million.

In 2024, Ilwaco/Chinook had 69.8 tons of 2,102.7 caught statewide, or 3.1%. Westport had 1,915.8, or 91%.

In 2023, Ilwaco/Chinook had 97 tons of 1,415.9 caught statewide, or 8.6%. Westport had 1,216, or 85%.

In 2022, Ilwaco/Chinook had 367.2 tons of 4,821.6 caught statewide, or 7.6%. Westport had 3,561.8, or 73%.

In 2021, Ilwaco/Chinook had 446.9 tons of 1,910.07 caught statewide, or 23.3%. Westport had 1,338.2, or 70%.

In 2020, Ilwaco/Chinook had 1,442.4 tons of 4,899.2 caught statewide, or 29.4%. Westport had 3,243.2, or 66%.

In 2019, Ilwaco/Chinook had 1,193.8 tons of 4265.7 caught statewide, or 27.9% Westport had 3,020.2, or 70%.

In 2018, Ilwaco/Chinook had 1,024.8 of 4,162.3 caught statewide, or 24.6%. Westport had 2,926.2, or 71%.

The fire that consumed the Bornstein Seafoods’ Ilwaco receiving facility in late January 2024 — and the subsequent loss of one of Ilwaco’s primary offloading facilities — presumably impacted the landing figures by shifting more offloads elsewhere, including Westport.

The loss or redistribution of commercial offloads is notable, as it helps determine where federal funds are allocated.