An NF Highliner is a career commercial fisherman who is also known for giving back to the industry, locally, nationally, or globally. It is no easy task, and as such it deserves recognition. Representatives from U.S. fishing communities on the East and Gulf coasts are honored in even-numbers years. Odd number years honor individuals from the West Coast and Alaska.

The annual tradition of hailing leaders of the commercial fishing industry began in 1975 and it’s one that the National Fisherman team is opening up to our audience. Honorees will be featured in the print issue of National Fisherman magazine which honors individuals from all regions. They’ll also be able to participate in a series of special events at the Pacific Marine Expo designed to honor and showcase Highliner winners.

Submit your nominee today!

Highliners honored in past years

1975
Joe Easley, Spuds Johnson, Nels Otness

1977
Oral Burch, Adolph Samuelson, Wayne Smith
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Dayton L. Alverson

1978
Dan Arnold, John J. Ross, Larry Simns

1979
Louis Agard Jr., Bart Eaton, Barry Fisher

1980
Kenny Daniels, Joe Novello, Rick Savage

1981
Gordon Jensen, Ralph Hazard, Konrad Uri

1982
Richard Miller, William Sandefur Jr., Gabe Skaar

1983
Dave Danborn, Bruce Gore, John Maher

1984
Dick Allen, Paul Pence, James Salisbury

1985
Oscar Dyson, Mike McCorkle, Rudy Peterson

1986
Jake Dykstra, Richard McLellan, Bill Moore

1987
Al Burch, Earl Carpenter, Einar Pedersen
*Special Award: U.S. Coast Guard Station Kodiak

1988
Frank Mirarchi, Sonny Morrison, Louis Puskas

1989
Nat Bingham, Pete Knutsen, Francis Miller

1990
Arnold Leo, Fred Mattera, Mark Taylor

1991
Ron Hegge, Rick Steiner, Tony West
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Clement V. Tillion

1992
David Cousens, Julius Collins, Jim McCauley

1993
John Bruce, Snooks Moore, Jimmy Smith

1994
Tim Adams, Nelson R. Beideman, Joseph Testaverde
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Angela Sanfilippo

1995
Michael McHenry, Dennis Petersen, Gary Slaven

1996
William Foster, Robert Smith, Diane Wilson
*Special Award: U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds

1997
Jim Bassett, Mark Lundsten, Pietro Parravano

1998
Bill Amaru, Felix G. Cox, Gary Nichols

1999
Wayne Moody, Jay Stinson, Ray Wadsworth

2000
Scott Keefe, Patten D. White, Richard Neilsen Jr.

2001
Ginny Goblirsch, Jamie Ross,
Tim Thomas

2002
George Barisich, Russell Dize, Luis Ribas

2003
Dan Hanson, Chris Miller, Arne Fuglvog

2004
David Goethel, James Ruhle Sr., Tony Iarocci

2005
Wilburn Hall, Bill Webber Sr., Bill Maahs

2006
Vito Giacalone, David Karwacki, Jim Lovgren

2007
Dave Bitts, Eric Jordan, Kaare Ness

2008
Rodney Avila, Tilman Gray, Craig Pendleton

2009
Linda Behnken, Kevin Ganley, Joel Kawahara

2010
Bob Evans, Jim Odlin, David Spencer

2011
Larry Collins, Dan Falvey, Bill Webber Jr.

2012
Dewey Hemilright, Kevin Wark, Wayne Werner

2013
Robert Heyano, Robert Hezel, Jerry McCune
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Brian Rothschild

2014
Martin Fisher, Ida Hall, Russell Sherman

2015
John F. Gruver, Kathy Hansen, Jeremiah O’Brien

2016
Robert T. Brown Sr., Ben Hartig, Carl “Sonny” McIntire Jr.

2017
Bob Dooley, George Eliason, Bruce Schactler 

2018
Ryan Bradley, Kristan Porter,
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Bob Jones

2019
Dick Ogg, Heather Sears,
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Jack Schultheis

2020
Jerry Fraser, Frank Patti Sr.
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Bonnie Brady

2021
Julie Decker, Jerry Dzugan, Benjamin Platt
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Jennifer Lincoln

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