National Fisherman

West Coast & Pacific

Fisherman’s Wharf is at the center of debate as the area undergoes a major redevelopment aimed at modernizing the waterfront while preserving its commercial fishing roots. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Fisherman’s Wharf redevelopment raises working waterfront concerns

NF Staff

West Coast groundfish rebuilding has long been celebrated as a fisheries success story, but new research from the University of Washington highlights the economic toll many fishermen say came with that recovery. Photo courtesy of Ian Dewar Photography / S

The missing secret behind West Coast groundfish recovery

Carli Stewart

Russ Mullins brought his whale rope to the 2025 PME in Seattle. Mullins launched Pacific Rope Works in 2025 as regulations began to kick in requiring Dungeness crab fishermen to use colored rope specific to their particular state. Photo courtesy of Paul M

Pacific Ropeworks helps fishermen save whales and money

Paul Molyneaux

From the ashes of the 2024 Ilwaco Landing fire, FishHer Columbia Pacific Community Alliance has grown into a force for safety, training, and community along the West Coast waterfront. Photo courtesy of FishHer

From Ilwaco strong to FishHer

Carli Stewart

A fishing vessel operates in Alaska waters. Shutterstock photo.

Legislation would expand representation on NPFMC

Margaret Bauman

Wild steelhead like these are among the species Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund dollars are designed to protect, with NOAA Fisheries announcing up to $99 million in grants for West Coast and Alaska conservation projects. NOAA Fisheries photo.

NOAA opens $99 million in Salmon recovery funds for West Coast and Alaska

NF Staff

CDFW expands the use of alternative/pop-up gear but closes traditional fishing season in additional zones. Photo courtesy of CDFW

Calif. expands pop-up gear, closes Zone 3 crab fishery

NF Staff

Turning the former tuna boat Anela into a salmon tender turned out to be a much bigger undertaking than Kris Mullan expected. But for Mullan, who saw the boat launched in Tacoma in 1971, it’s been a labor of love. Angel Marine photo.

Boat of the Month: Anela

Paul Molyneaux

A renewed push to reopen Pacific marine monuments to commercial fishing is reigniting tensions between access, conservation, and cultural protections in some of the world’s most remote waters. Photo courtesy of NOAA

Pacific monuments reopening push fights over fishing, culture

Carli Stewart

Calif. ocean salmon fishery opens for the first time in three years. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Calif. salmon season reopens, bringing cautious optimism

NF Staff

Gene Mafucci bought the Vivian in 1985 and made repairs and replaced the engine with help from his father, Gene, seen with the boat in front of their home on Tomales Bay, California. They used the tide to do things like paint the bottom. Photo courtesy of

At Marshall Boat Works, Gene Maffucci keeps his wooden boat afloat

Paul Molyneaux