National Fisherman

Highliner Nominations Are Now Open – Submit Your Nomination for the 2026 Highliner Class. <<<

West Coast & Pacific

A Coast Guard helicopter hovers near the grounded fishing vessel Lake Bay at Point Reyes National Seashore in California Aug. 21. Coast Guard photo.

Fishing boat grounded at Point Reyes National Seashore

NF Staff

Westport Marina will replace aging docks and add larger slips as part of its broader modernization plan. Photo courtesy of Port of Grays Harbor

Westport Marina lands $6.2M for upgrades

NF Staff

Gig Harbor is celebrating 150 years of commercial fishing as its long-awaited Commercial Fishing Homeport moves closer to construction. Photo courtesy of Drone Northwest

Gig Harbor fishing fleet marks 150 years as homeport moves forward

NF Staff

Officers cited two commercial fishermen after they were allegedly caught fishing inside the Swamis State Marine Conservation Area. Photo courtesy of CDFW

Two commercial fishermen arrested for fishing in protected area

NF Staff

Oregon approved new Dungeness crab rules to reduce whale entanglement risk, including expanded experimental gear requirements. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Oregon adopts new Dungeness crab rules

NF Staff

California fishermen could face another difficult season as a strengthening El Niño threatens warmer waters, shifting fish distributions and harmful algal blooms along the West Coast. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

‘Super’ El Niño could bring challenges for fishing fleets

NF Staff

Low recreational catch reporting is fueling tensions in Puget Sound. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Puget Sound Dungeness crabbers clash over harvest shares, reporting

NF Staff

A kelp forest off the California coast. Kelp canopies provide critical nearshore habitat for fish, invertebrates, and outmigrating salmon smolts. Shutterstock photo.

Kelp's crisis is the fleet's crisis

Nick Rahaim

An enforcement officer inventories shark fins found during Operation North Pacific Guard. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Shark finning, endangered species found in high seas boardings

NF Staff

Washington's commercial black cod fishery continues its upward trajectory. Photo courtesy of Sena Sea

Washington black cod landings climb as domestic demand grows

NF Staff

Gig Harbor's planned Commercial Fishing Homeport would provide dedicated moorage for up to 17 commercial fishing vessels while creating a new working waterfront destination. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Gig Harbor homeport project moves toward construction as costs rise

NF Staff