National Fisherman

Working Waterfront

Karl Jordan’s salmon troller, the Samara waiting for the tide to refloat her. For two and a half years before 2025, Sitka had no local haulout and fisherman relied on the grid for whatever work they could do between the tides. Photo courtesy of Eric Jorda

In Sitka the tide provides an economical haul-out alternative

Paul Molyneaux

Doug Bowen, founder, and Maddie Lightsey, president of Alaska Boats & Permits in Homer, are participants in ComFish Alaska 2026 in Kodiak. Photo by Margaret Bauman

Optimism rising for Alaska fishing boat and permit sales

Margaret Bauman

The SIMRAD SY60 is the second-generation SIMRAD omni sonar suited for 8” trunk installations. Photo courtesy of Simrad

More range and resolution with Simrad’s new SY60 omni sonar

Paul Molyneaux

For fishing families, the dock is a third place as much as a workplace. Photo courtesy of David McLain

What we lose when the waterfront changes

Monique Coombs

With existing commercial fisheries moving north due to climate change and others potentially opening up, the Coast Guard's new icebreakers will be of importance to Alaska's commercial fishing industry. Coast Guard image.

New icebreakers to be homeported in Alaska

Margaret Bauman

Freeport Diesel & Marine shop in Freeport, Maine. Photo courtesy of FDM

Freeport shop built by mariners, for fishermen

Carli Clancy

Charting a course for electric boats on Maine’s coast

Paul Molyneaux

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

The Honolulu-based tuna longliner, Pacific Sun, hauled out at Ventura Harbor Boatyard. “She was a little too big for another yard I sometimes use, so I brought her to Ventura for a shave and a haircut,” says owner Peter Webster.

Ventura Harbor Boatyard eyes growth for West Coast fleet

Paul Molyneaux

NGOM scallop fishing is known for big scallops and easy shucking. Most boats carry only one or at most two crew besides the captain. But the scallops are coming harder than usual in 2026, with some boats making as many as 15 tows to get their limit. Photo courtesy of Jay Fleming

Northern Gulf of Maine scallop payday

Paul Molyneaux

Johansen, the new owner of Jonesport Shipyard, has already more than doubled the boat storage capacity and upgraded the store and shop. He plans to serve the local fleet and attract boats from other nearby ports. Photo courtesy of Molyneaux

Keeping the Jonesport waterfront working

Paul Molyneaux