National Fisherman

06/25/2026

Alaska's golden king crab TAC for 2026-27 is set at approximately 4.74 million pounds, up 13% from last season. The increase is driven by the western Aleutian Islands region. Keyport LLC says the measured increase supports steady supply for distributors, retailers, and foodservice operators.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has announced a 2026-27 total allowable catch (TAC) of approximately 4.74 million pounds for Alaska golden king crab, a 13 percent increase from last season's 4.19 million-pound harvest limit, according to a June 24 release from seafood supplier Keyport LLC.

06/25/2026

New research on the impact of kelp farming in reducing local carbon dioxide levels shows that sugar, bull and ribbon kelp grown in Alaska are the most effective.

06/25/2026

NOAA Fisheries scientists have completed a multi-year satellite tagging study of Pacific cod in the Bering Sea, shedding new light on how the species responds to warming ocean conditions and what those movements mean for fisheries management.

06/24/2026

The Senate Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill text includes provisions to expand commercial fishing eligibility for USDA loans, establish a federal Office of Seafood, and evaluate onshore processing capacity. The Fishing Communities Coalition says the bill reflects growing recognition of the industry's role in the food system. Negotiations ahead.

Commercial fishing advocates are welcoming new seafood-related provisions included in Farm Bill language released by the Senate Agriculture Committee, saying the proposal reflects growing recognition of the role fishing communities play in the nation's food system.

06/24/2026

Virginia's biennial budget was finalized without funding for Chesapeake Bay menhaden research. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation accused Omega Protein and Ocean Harvesters of pressuring lawmakers. Both companies denied the claims and said they support more science, pointing to their backing of a SCEMFIS research roadmap.

Virginia House and Senate lawmakers finalized the state’s $205 billion 2026-28 biennial budget in June without approving funds for research of the state’s Chesapeake Bay menhaden population.

06/24/2026

New England groundfishermen are stuck between two cod management systems as NOAA's review of Amendment 25 drags past one year. The change from two stocks to four has broad support, but fishermen are already making business decisions based on a system that hasn't been approved. NOAA has not provided a timeline.

New England groundfishermen are once again finding themselves caught between the fishery they are operating under today and the management system regulators expect them to use tomorrow.

06/23/2026

Roger Williams University expanded its Blue Fellows Program to ten undergraduates for 2026, adding new partnerships with the Gulf Shellfish Institute, Atlantic Shark Institute, and Bigelow Laboratory.

Roger Williams University (RWU) has expanded its Blue Fellows Program for a second year, increasing participation from seven to ten undergraduate fellows and adding new industry partnerships focused on marine science, aquaculture, biotechnology and fisheries research.

06/23/2026

Caitlin Townsend, who grew up on her father's lobster boat in Truro, Mass., now fishes Bristol Bay sockeye in Alaska each summer, and works year-round as the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance's waterfront outreach coordinator. Her path reflects how the next generation is building fishing careers across regions and fisheries.

Whenever her father got ready to untie from the dock and prepare to head fishing, she’d ask the same question. “Can I go?”

06/23/2026

Vinalhaven lobsterman Frank Thompson is taking his challenge of Maine's mandatory GPS vessel tracking program to the U.S. Supreme Court. He argues the 24/7 tracking violates Fourth Amendment protections.

In 2023, the state of Maine mailed a package to Vinalhaven lobsterman Frank Thompson. “I got the little black thing in the mail, and the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) said, ‘hook it up and turn it on.’ I did. They wanted to track us, to collect data. Some guys mailed it back, but the DM...

06/23/2026

Bristol Bay's 2026 sockeye season is building. Through June 19: 151,668 fish harvested, Ugashik leading at 107,281. Inshore forecast: 44.1 million fish. Nushagak has the largest projection at 18.39 million. 395 active permits on 271 vessels bay-wide. Port Moller data suggests run timing is on track with preseason forecasts.

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