National Fisherman

Lobster

The Tide-N-Knots rests on its mooring in Bailey’s Mistake, a semi-protected anchorage in Lubec, Maine. Built somewhere in Nova Scotia in 1979, the boat is typical of the rough old Novi workhorses found in Downeast Maine. Greg McConnell photo.

Boat of the month: Tide-N-Knots

Paul Molyneaux

The GM 6-53 "was the beating heart of the Hard Times. It ran and ran and ran...sometimes when I went down forward for something I would pause for a second or two and just marvel at it as it roared." Photo courtesy of Jerry Fraser

Jerry_Fraser

From Johnson Seahorse to screaming jimmy

Jerry Fraser

Making a profit with a small boat means cutting costs where possible. Burning biofuel enabled Nick Wilbur to get to his fishing grounds and back for free. He found that his engine ran faster, smoother, and quieter on biofuel. Nick Wilbur photo.

One captain’s experiment with vegetable oil fuel

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

Consumers would pay more for lobster caught with ropeless gear, study finds

NF Staff

On the lobster boat, Paradigm, in Jonesport, Maine, a newly installed 900 HP Scania DI16 083M is ready for testing. Scania distributor, Mack Boring will soon have higher efficiency, 800-hp 13L and 16L Scania marine engines available. Photo courtesy of Pau

Mack Boring powers the lobster industry

Paul Molyneaux

A Florida Keys commercial fisherman has been sentenced to jail time after pleading guilty to multiple lobster violations. Photo courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife

Florida Keys fisherman sentenced after pleading guilty to lobster violations

NF Staff

To protect whales, Maine lobstermen have increased their trawl size, added weak links in buoy lines, switched to sinking groundlines, switched to purple rope for buoy lines to identify Maine gear, and honored seasonal closures. Paul Molyneaux photo.

More than one way to save a whale

Paul Molyneaux

The 52-foot-high door in the Belliveau repair shop enables the yard to haul in vessels without having to take down any superstructure, which might turn a quick repair into a lengthier project. Photo courtesy Troy Channing

Strong and seaworthy boats are the pride of Belliveau Shipyard

Paul Molyneaux

A North Atlantic right whale mother with her calf in Cape Cod Bay on April 9, 2026. New England Aquarium, photo/NOAA permit #25739-01.

Right whale births reported highest since 2009

NF Staff

Thomas West's vessel Aces and Eights home ported in Steuben, Maine. Photo courtesy of the West family

Downeast fleet mourns loss of Steuben lobsterman found

NF Staff

The Longsoaker timed-release bait container can keep a crab pot fishing even when boats can’t get out to bait their traps. According to its creator, Russ Mullins, the Longsoaker can increase catches by anywhere from 25 to 45 percent. Longsoaker photo.

The Longsoaker promises to bait your pots automatically

Paul Molyneaux