National Fisherman

National & International

Larry Fowler and Craig Stewart on Long Island, Maine, stacking traps. Photos by Maine-based National Geographic photographer David McLain, who worked with the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association (MCFA) to document Maine’s iconic working waterfront and fis

Overuse injuries in commercial fishing

Monique Coombs

The Itasca leaving San Diego and bound for her home port of Honolulu after what owner Peter Webster calls “a shave and a haircut.” Webster spends around 300 days a year at sea, longlining tuna, often hundreds of miles from any land. Peter Webster photo.

Boat of the Month: Itasca

Paul Molyneaux

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has appointed new and returning members to the regional fishery management councils. Shutterstock photo.

Regional fishery management council appointments announced

NF Staff

A skimmer net shrimp boat in Delacroix, La., sits idle at the dock with prices too low to pay for fuel. Shrimpers from Texas to the Carolinas hope legislation can prevent restaurants from selling imported shrimp as domestic product. Paul Molyneaux photo.

Southern states lay down the law on seafood labeling

Paul Molyneaux

A boat crew from the Coast Guard cutter Jacob Poroo hands life jackets to Mexican fishermen aboard a lancha during a boarding for illegal fishing off southern Texas in December 2023. Coast Guard photo.

Inspector general says Coast Guard misses illegal fishing in US waters

Kirk Moore

KYB 525’s turns the winches on a New Bedford scallop boat, lifting the heavy dredges off bottom. The crew appreciates their even flow, power, and low noise. Photo by Asher Molyneaux

KYB stands for reliable power

Paul Molyneaux

Fishing nets laid out to dry on the Harbour side in Mevagissey, Cornwall, England, UK. Photo courtesy of PJ photography

UK to ban bottom trawling in MPAs

NF Staff

A lancha crew were among 13 Mexican fishermen engaged in illegal fishing off southern Texas June 13, according to the Coast Guard. Coast Guard photo.

Coast Guard detains 13 Mexican fishermen off south Texas

NF Staff

The ALFA offers apprenticeships to young people from all over the country. The Association connects vessel owners looking for crew with young people who want to try fishing. A few have stayed in the game. Credit: Steve Fish / Alaska Longline Fishermen’s A

Keeping a labor force in the pipeline

Paul Molyneaux

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard

FISH Act targets IUU fishing to protect U.S. fishermen

NF Staff

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (D-Oregon) speaking at a hearing titled "Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” Screenshot courtesy of Nathan Strout

Trump’s NOAA cuts clash with seafood competitiveness goals

Nathan Strout