National Fisherman

National & International

A NMFS observer, Steve Polak, measures and weighs an undersized haddock on a hook and line groundfish vessel out of Portsmouth, NH. Like all observers, Polak has undergone safety training, must wear a life vest, and can refuse a trip if he has safety conc

The training and safety of observers

Paul Molyneaux

In an August 2025 field trial, researchers dispersed 16,200 gallons of sodium hydroxide tagged with a rhodamine tracer dye (visible in the red water color) to raise the alkalinity of a patch of seawater in the Gulf of Maine and calculate carbon uptake. Ph

Industry puts forth guidance on a 'fishery sensitive' approach to marine carbon dioxide removal

Sarah Schumann

Lobstermen haul traps off the coast of Maine. Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative photo.

Maine lobsterman seeks Supreme Court challenge to GPS tracking

NF Staff

Shark caught as bycatch. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Hook-based shark deterrent shows promise in cutting bycatch

NF Staff

The Oceanbotics software, SubNav, is user-friendly and allows the ROV operator to see via the ROV's camera system or Optimus sonar. It can also show the ROV's position using GPS and a DVL. Photo courtesy of Oceanbotics

Oceanbotics makes ROVs for lost vessel recovery and more

Paul Molyneaux

The Canadian company, OnDeck AI, is working with halibut and blackcod longliners to develop VLM for reviewing electronic monitoring data in fisheries. Designed to reason like humans, VLM could replace the currently used computer vision AI. Photo courtesy

OnDeck AI could revolutionize electronic monitoring

Paul Molyneaux

U.S. FWS proposed clarity on the status of squid as shellfish. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Feds propose new definition of shellfish to include squid, others

NF Staff

Red colors in this image show higher concentrations of chlorophyll in the Gulf of Maine and beyond. This image was taken by the Ocean Color Instrument sensor aboard the PACE satellite on April 8, 2024. Photo courtesy of NASA

NASA joins SCEMFIS advisory board, bringing satellite data to fisheries research

NF Staff

Todd Meadows, 25, a deckhand on the F/V Aleutian Lady, died Feb. 25 in an overboard accident about 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Captain Rick Shelford via Facebook.

‘Deadliest Catch’ crew member dies in overboard accident

NF Staff

H.R. 3692 has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, reauthorizing the Young Fishermen’s Development Program through FY 2031. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Young Fishermen’s Development Act renewed

NF Staff

Two commercial fishing boats tied up on Lake Erie. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock / Scottshoots

Lake Erie fisherman fined for abandoned nets, reporting violations

NF Staff