National Fisherman

West Coast & Pacific

A Dungeness crab pot. California wildlife officials are delaying the 2026 crabbing season opener until at least Jan.1 to avoid gear entanglement risk to a reported abundance of humpback whales. CDFW image.

California crab opener delayed into 2026

NF Staff

Photo courtesy of Kitsap County Sheriff Department

Deckhand found dead at Kingston Marina

Guest Author

Karl Senner installed a fixed propeller system and Reintjes WF 570 gear in the Kodiak, Alaska-based trawler, Elizabeth F., after the vessel’s controllable pitch propeller system failed late in the 2024 season. Credit: Karl Senner

Reintjes drives innovation in marine propulsion

Paul Molyneaux

Aerial imagery of dragon kelp bed in coastal Alaska. NOAA Fisheries photo by Mandy Lindeberg

NOAA boosts mapping projects to identify areas of wild kelp

Margaret Bauman

Alaska pollock makes up over half of the total Alaska commercial seafood harvest volume. Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers photo.

Studies show Alaska pollock fishery value in product, jobs

Margaret Bauman

Seattle area conservation groups say they will sue the federal government over failure to protect native salmon, steelhead and orca populations from hatchery programs inthe Columbia River system. Wild Fish Conservancy photo.

Conservation groups plan lawsuit over hatcheries

Margaret Bauman

Participants of the Drill Instructor and Fishermen First Aid and Safety Training will get hands-on experience practicing lifesaving skills, such as putting on survival suits. Photo courtesy of Washington Sea Grant

Washington Fishermen's Convention set for Dec. 4-8

Margaret Bauman

Albacore tuna typically range from 20-30 inches long and 10-30 pounds, but they can grow larger. Shutterstock photo.

Pacific tuna fishery opens in Eastern Gulf of Alaska

Margaret Bauman

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission member states include California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. Shutterstock photo.

Former fisheries commission exec sentenced for stealing $211K

NF Staff

David Witherell is retiring as executive director of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. NPFMC photo.

NPFMC executive director David Witherell to retire in October

Margaret Bauman

Geoff Brunick aboard the Pacific Wind, fishing out of Warrenton, Ore., tells of his father being among the last American whalers. “It was in the ‘60s,” he says. “They were whaling here.” Paul Molyneaux photo.

America’s last whalers

Paul Molyneaux