Baltija Scherl cuts an albacore tuna last week at Tre-Fin Seafood Market in Ilwaco. Commercial tuna landings and participation are down dramatically this season in Washington. (Luke Whittaker photos/Chinook Observer)PACIFIC OCEAN — The 2026 commercial albacore tuna season is off to a limping start, beleaguered by high fuel prices, sporadic fishing and fewer fishermen. Washington albacore tuna landings, participation sinkCommercial albacore tuna landings this season are on pace to potentially set a record low for Washington. Washington commercial tuna landings by year:2026: 268 metric tons; $2.06 (average price/pound); $1.2 million (ex-vessel paid)2025: 4,788 metric tons; $1.97 (average price/pound); $20.7 million2024: 2,181 metric tons; $1.52 (average price/pound); $7.2 million2023: 2,505 metric tons; $1.25 (average price/pound); $6.8 million2022: 4,719 metric tons; $2.10 (average price/pound); $21.8 million2021: 2,302 metric tons; $2.00 (average price/pound); $10.1 million2020: 4,946 metric tons; $1.49 (average price/pound); $16.2 million2019: 4,321 metric tons; $1.67 (average price/pound); $15.9 million2018: 4,162 metric tons; $1.61 (average price/pound); $14.7 million2017: 5,194 metric tons; $2.05 (average price/pound); $23.4 million2016: 7,051 metric tons; $1.59 (average price/pound); $24.7 million