National Fisherman

March Spotlight:

Gear and Apparel

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Boats & Gear

The raw steel shown on the 60-foot Excalibur is the new bulwarks that were added to improve water deflection. Fred Wahl Marine Construction photo.

Michael_Crowley

A West Coast full house at Fred Wahl Marine

Michael Crowley

The North Carolina shad boat, Miss Marsha, was originally built in 1980 and restored by Ben Brown in 2020. Repowered with an 80-hp 4B Cummins in 2023, the Miss Marsha can reach a top speed of 30 knots. Photo by Ben Brown

The shad boat: The iconic craft of North Carolina

Paul Molyneaux

Knowing how to don and doff a survival suit and enter the water can make a difference in an emergency. Fishing Partnership is one of several organizations around the US coast that offer fishermen free training on how to handle themselves in a survival sui

The gear fishermen can’t afford to leave behind

Paul Molyneaux

Mustang Survival photo.

Mustang Survival moves to eliminate PFAS in its products

NF Staff

Young fishermen aboard the scallop vessel F/V Freedom out of New Bedford choose the Showa 477 gloves for comfort and dexterity, but the fastest shuckers on the boat stick with Maritek and Hycron. Asher Molyneaux photo.

For scallop gloves, it's all about comfort and speed

Paul Molyneaux

CatchCam cameras have been used on scallop dredges to see how the heavy steel gear interacts with the sea floor. Photo by Tom Rossiter

CatchCam Technologies revives underwater vision

Paul Molyneaux

On-demand fishing gear systems were tested in Jonesport, Maine, using the Maine Department of Marine Resources gear library. Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries

Maine lobstermen weigh in on ropeless gear

Carli Stewart

Dungeness crab fishermen in Puget Sound try out Vallation Outerwear’s Ocean Rein Pullover. Made of PU Foam, the Ocean Rein is more flexible than PVC, and features designed to reduce snags, especially when handling nets. Photo by Bri Dwyer

Vallation Outerwear gains ground with fishermen

Paul Molyneaux

Here the Peggy is spit shined up on the hard at Deltaville Boat Yard in 2018. She will be doubly spit shined for her 100th birthday party in September. Larry Chowning photo.

Larry_Chowning

Charmed life for a Chesapeake buyboat

Larry Chowning

The 34’ tuna boat Lea Katherine is the 78th wooden boat being built at John’s Bay Boat in South Bristol, Maine, since Peter Kass opened the shop in 1983. A majority of the boats were fishing boats. Jon Johansen photo.

Michael_Crowley

Last newbuilds at John’s Bay Boat, but the work carries on

Michael Crowley

Maritime Fabrication modified the Starship from a strictly Bristol Bay gillnetter for fishing Southeast Alaska salmon and halibut. with a new deck drum and stern roller making hauling and setting longline gear easier. Maritime Fabrication photo.

Michael_Crowley

Conversion broadens horizons for an Alaska gillnetter

Michael Crowley