National Fisherman

Paul Molyneaux

Editor

Paul Molyneaux is the Boats & Gear editor for National Fisherman.

Author Archive

With only a few significant initiatives to reduce microplastic contamination of the oceans, some commercial fishermen are recycling gear and collecting plastic. Suzuki has installed microplastic filters in some engines, a small but symbolic effort. Suzuki

The microplastics battle

Everyone who knew Baxter Cox speaks of his dedication to Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, and his girlfriend reports that they were planning to marry. His loss in an accident doing what he loved is a tragedy for all. Baxter Cox Instagram.

The loss of a young fisherman

Aboard his 43-foot tuna longliner, the Provider II, Marty Scanlon, president of the Blue Water Fishermen’s Association and past National Fisherman Highliner, talks about the challenges the East Coast tuna fleet faces. Paul Molyneaux photo.

Tuna meltdown

The closed cod end on the FloMo with its reduced flow allows fish to swim naturally rather than being exhausted and crushed in a standard cod end. Holes in the retention modules (extension) can be adjusted to allow bycatch to escape. FloMo photo.

The gentle net

Fire Suppression Industries began making the Suppressall FS2-Max fire suppression tool in 2025, after launching the FS2 in 2024. Company partner Joe Kuesis, fishing boats on all coasts are adding the FS2-Max to their firefighting toolkits. Suppressall pho

Fire in the hole

Geoff Brunick aboard the Pacific Wind, fishing out of Warrenton, Ore., tells of his father being among the last American whalers. “It was in the ‘60s,” he says. “They were whaling here.” Paul Molyneaux photo.

America’s last whalers

An Atlantic Salmon Federation map showing Atlantic salmon migration routes to Greenland, where a 2018 agreement with ASF and other stakeholders has significantly reduced the take of salmon from US and Canadian rivers. ASF graphic.

Fisheries management and Greenland

After setting on a promising indication of bait fish, crewman Robert Boyd (right) and captain Tommy Danchise (left) haul back the first of two 400-yard gillnets, landing about 50 pounds of bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and other species. Paul Molyneaux phot

Carolina fishermen get home with a little help from friends

A Maine lobster boat is equipped with the Hondex HDX combination chartplotter/echosounder and the HE-7300 sounder. Hondex electronics are popular in small boat fisheries in the Northeast due to their simplicity, capabilities, and durability. Jason Philbro

No bells, no whistles

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, in shipping containers and shrimp samples from Indonesia. Shutterstock photo.

Radioactive shrimp gets consumers’ attention