National Fisherman

Swordfish

Corals and octopus in the Hudson Canyon. NOAA photo.

NOAA announces advisors for proposed Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary

The California swordfish fleet is making a long transition from large-mesh gillnets to a deep-set buoy gear and harpoon fishery. Photo by Delaney Trowbridge and provided by Nathan Perez.

The slow death and uncertain future of California’s swordfish fishery

Nick Rahaim

A proposed 770,000 square mil marine sanctuary would incorporate the existing Remote Island Marine National Monument and “currently unprotected submerged lands and waters,” according to the Biden administration. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service graphic.

Biden administration proposes new Pacific marine sanctuary

Chris Chase

Longline-caught swordfish landed at Honolulu. The Hawaii fleet is in the midst of its first swordfish season after winning Marine Stewardship Council certification. Hawaii Longline Association photo.

Hawaii longliners land swordfish under new MSC certification

NF Staff

Franklyn d’Entremont, once a superstar of the New England and Maritime Canadian swordfish harpoon fisheries, showed a photo of himself about to iron a fish back in the glory days. Monique D’Eon photo.

Swordfish!

Paul Molyneaux

A pilot whale entangled in a swordfish drift gillnet. NMFS photo.

New federal law phases out large-mesh drift gillnets for California swordfish

Nick Rahaim

The Irene Alton’s lines came from a half-model carved by Alton Raynes; Bernard Raynes named the boat after his father and mother, Irene. Raynes painted the hard-working boat every year, and NF writer Paul Molyneaux tarred the rigging. Maynard Bray photo.

A death in the family

Paul Molyneaux

President Biden reversed the Trump administration executive order that would have permitted commercial fishing to continue in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument. NOAA image.

Northeast Canyons fishing prohibition may be added to councils’ management plans

Kirk Moore

Bigeye tuna at the Honolulu Fish Auction. Hawaii Longline Association photo.

Marine Stewardship Council certifies Hawaii longline fisheries

NF Staff

The Honolulu-based longliner Blue Dragon was struck by a sudden fire in the wheelhouse in November 2021. Coast Guard photos.

NTSB: Electrical fault suspected in Hawaii longliner fire

Kirk Moore

An oceanic whitetip shark swimming with pilotfish. NOAA photo.

Hawaii longliners convert gear to reduce whitetip shark bycatch

Kirk Moore