The submissions for the 2024 National Fisherman Highliners are now open! An NF Highliner is a career commercial fisherman known for being a steward in this industry—someone known for giving back to their local, national, or global fishing community.

Those from all U.S. coasts are welcome to be nominated, and we encourage those with knowledge of all diverse fishing communities to submit a nominee. The NF Highliner Award became an annual tradition in 1975 and highlighted some of the best individuals in the commercial fishing industry.

Submit a 2024 Highliner Nominee

These individuals possess the qualities to continuously make lasting contributions to commercial fisheries while facilitating the growth and empowerment of the next generation of fishermen.

Honorees from all coasts will be featured on National Fisherman and participate in a special ceremony at the Pacific Marine Expo (PME) in Seattle this fall. This recognition acknowledges the individual efforts and helps further foster a sense of community from coast to coast.

This past year, we switched up the format of the Highliner Awards; rather than an offsite reception, we incorporated an official ceremony at PME. The ceremony was open to all show attendees, and winners shared their stories and what makes their working life on the water so unique. The impassioned speeches from each Highliner showcased why these individuals were so deserving of this award.

The NF team looks forward to celebrating the 2024 winners in Seattle!

Please note: Only individual nominees can be considered. Companies, organizations, and associations are not eligible.

Read more about previous winners who have honed their craft and tirelessly ensured sustainability among their fisheries.