National Fisherman

West Coast & Pacific

The Pacific Legal Foundation is arguing that the otters should be delisted as a threatened species, and petitioning the Fish and Wildlife Service to exempt fishermen from liability for incidental takes of southern sea otters. Photo courtesy of UFWS

Fishermen challenge sea otter protections in Calif. waters

Paul Molyneaux

Rowan Miller has been working on her father’s salmon seiner since she was 14. At 24, she has utilized the Alaska Commercial Fishing Loan Program to finance the purchase of her first boat, the Journeyman. Credit: Rowan Miller

Boat of the Month: Journeyman

Paul Molyneaux

Calif. commercial Dungeness crab fishing opportunities will remain open in some areas under existing management measures. Photo courtesy by CDFW

Commercial crabbing continues as Calif. expands trap restrictions

NF Staff

Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery is facing additional regulatory changes as the state works to address whale entanglements. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Whale permit uncertainty drives changes in Oregon crab fishery

NF Staff

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 Clancy

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 Clancy

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