Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Carli Clancy
ASMFC cuts menhaden quota as industry warns of economic fallout
November 13, 2026 — Atlantic menhaden fishermen will face additional harvest restrictions over the next two years after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) approved a phased reduction in the coastwide quota, prompting industry representatives to warn of economic consequences for fishing crews, processing workers and coastal communities from Maine to Virginia. The Atlantic Menhaden Management Board voted 11-7 on Nov.
Can crop insurance offer fishermen a better safety net?
November 12, 2026 — For commercial fishermen, a sudden fishery closure can mean losing an entire season’s income while bills keep coming. Vessel payments, insurance, moorage fees, and other operating expenses don’t disappear when a fishery shuts down, and federal disaster assistance can take years to reach the people who need it. It’s a familiar problem across the industry, but Noah Oppenheim believes the conversation is finally shifting from identifying what’s broken to finding ways to fix it.
Can crop insurance offer fishermen a better safety net?
For commercial fishermen, a sudden fishery closure can mean losing an entire season's income while bills keep coming. Vessel payments, insurance, moorage fees, and other operating expenses don't disappear when a fishery shuts down, and federal disaster assistance can take years to reach the people who need it. It's a familiar problem across the industry, but Noah Oppenheim believes the conversation is finally shifting from identifying what's broken to finding ways to fix it.
ASMFC cuts menhaden quota as industry warns of economic fallout
Atlantic menhaden fishermen will face additional harvest restrictions over the next two years after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) approved a phased reduction in the coastwide quota, prompting industry representatives to warn of economic consequences for fishing crews, processing workers and coastal communities from Maine to Virginia. The Atlantic Menhaden Management Board voted 11-7 on Nov.
ALASKA: Alaska seafood harvesting jobs rise 4% after five years of declines
November 10, 2026 — Alaska’s commercial fishing industry recorded its largest increase in seafood harvesting employment in more than a decade in 2025, reversing five consecutive years of job losses as stronger salmon harvests, recovering crab fisheries, and increased groundfish activity helped bring more fishermen back to work.
Menhaden industry cites rough weather, urges science before cuts
November 10, 2026 — Lower Atlantic menhaden landings in 2025 have raised new concerns among conservation groups about the health of the forage fish population, but commercial fishing representatives say unusually rough weather may have contributed to the shortfall and are urging fisheries managers to wait for additional scientific research before imposing further restrictions. In a Nov.
Menhaden industry cites rough weather, urges science before cuts
Lower Atlantic menhaden landings in 2025 have raised new concerns among conservation groups about the health of the forage fish population, but commercial fishing representatives say unusually rough weather may have contributed to the shortfall and are urging fisheries managers to wait for additional scientific research before imposing further restrictions. In a Nov.
Can seafood traceability put more money in fishermen’s pockets?
For commercial fishermen, the story behind their harvest often begins long before the fish reaches the dock. From the vessel and crew to the fishing grounds, harvest methods, and handling practices, each trip generates information that can help distinguish one boat's product from another. But once that seafood enters the supply chain, much of that individual identity can be lost.
Alaska seafood harvesting jobs rise 4% after five years of declines
Alaska's commercial fishing industry recorded its largest increase in seafood harvesting employment in more than a decade in 2025, reversing five consecutive years of job losses as stronger salmon harvests, recovering crab fisheries, and increased groundfish activity helped bring more fishermen back to work.
Washington crab fishermen challenge GPS vessel tracking in court
November 6, 2026 — Three Washington Dungeness crab fishermen are asking a state court to overturn a vessel monitoring program they say violates their constitutional rights by tracking their boats even when they are not fishing. The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA), representing crab boat captains Sarah Franey, Brent Young, and Mark Young, filed a motion seeking to invalidate the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Electronic Monitoring Program.
US seafood consumption declines in 2024 as species rankings shift
November 5, 2026 — Tilapia slipped to fifth place among the most-consumed seafood species in the United States, despite a slight increase in consumption to 0.92 pounds per person, up 0.01 pounds from 2023, according to data release by the National Seafood Association. Pangasius, a commonly imported farm-raised fish, moved into sixth place, overtaking domestic catfish. Americans consumed 0.73 pounds of pangasius per capita in 2024, an increase of 0.19 pounds from the previous year.
Washington crab fishermen challenge GPS vessel tracking in court
Three Washington Dungeness crab fishermen are asking a state court to overturn a vessel monitoring program they say violates their constitutional rights by tracking their boats even when they are not fishing. The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA), representing crab boat captains Sarah Franey, Brent Young, and Mark Young, filed a motion seeking to invalidate the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) Electronic Monitoring Program. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 15.
US seafood consumption declines in 2024 as species rankings shift
Tilapia slipped to fifth place among the most-consumed seafood species in the United States, despite a slight increase in consumption to 0.92 pounds per person, up 0.01 pounds from 2023, according to data release by the National Seafood Association. Pangasius, a commonly imported farm-raised fish, moved into sixth place, overtaking domestic catfish. Americans consumed 0.73 pounds of pangasius per capita in 2024, an increase of 0.19 pounds from the previous year.
Fishermen join search as missing SeaTrac returns home
When a bright-yellow autonomous research vessel disappeared in the Gulf of Maine this month, the researchers behind it suddenly had a problem that couldn’t be solved from behind a computer screen. They needed people on the water.
ALASKA: Fishing takes center stage in Alaska Senate race
October 28, 2026 — Commercial fishing is playing a prominent role in Alaska’s closely watched U.S. Senate race, with salmon declines, trawl bycatch, and the future of the state’s seafood industry continuing to separate Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola as Election Day approaches. A recent Newsweek report put a national spotlight on fisheries issues that have been building throughout the Alaska campaign.
Trading deck time for a new chapter ashore: Salmon Sisters
Claire and Emma are spending less time on the water these days, but a growing seafood operation in Homer is bringing the Salmon Sisters closer than ever to the fish, fishermen, and families behind Alaska seafood. For most of their lives, Claire and Emma have measured time in fishing seasons.
MAINE: $1 million for Maine working waterfront projects
October 27, 2026 — SEA Maine has awarded $1 million to five projects to strengthen working waterfront infrastructure and support Maine’s commercial fishing and seafood industries. The funding, awarded through the Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (SIAF), will support projects in Tremont, Rockland, Freeport, Swan’s Island, and Boothbay Harbor.
Fishing takes center stage in Alaska Senate race
Commercial fishing is playing a prominent role in Alaska’s closely watched U.S. Senate race, with salmon declines, trawl bycatch, and the future of the state’s seafood industry continuing to separate Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola as Election Day approaches. A recent Newsweek report put a national spotlight on fisheries issues that have been building throughout the Alaska campaign.
USDA fuel relief is coming: What fishermen can do now
Following the announcement of $8 billion in funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Harvest Fuel Relief program, the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA) is asking the state’s fishermen to help provide the data USDA needs as it determines how relief payments will work for the commercial fishing industry.
Trump’s America First Seafood Strategy puts US fishermen in focus
October 26, 2026 — The Trump administration has rolled out a new federal seafood strategy aimed at increasing domestic production, rebuilding shoreside infrastructure, and strengthening the position of U.S. fishermen and processors against foreign competition.
1,267 workers, community members push back on menhaden cuts
October 26, 2026 — The pushback against additional restrictions on Chesapeake Bay’s menhaden fishery is growing ahead of a key November vote, with more than 1,200 industry employees and community members urging fisheries managers to reject further cuts.
$1 million for Maine working waterfront projects
SEA Maine has awarded $1 million to five projects to strengthen working waterfront infrastructure and support Maine’s commercial fishing and seafood industries. The funding, awarded through the Seafood Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (SIAF), will support projects in Tremont, Rockland, Freeport, Swan’s Island, and Boothbay Harbor.
Trump’s America First Seafood Strategy puts US fishermen in focus
The Trump administration has rolled out a new federal seafood strategy aimed at increasing domestic production, rebuilding shoreside infrastructure, and strengthening the position of U.S. fishermen and processors against foreign competition.
1,267 workers, community members push back on menhaden cuts
The pushback against additional restrictions on Chesapeake Bay’s menhaden fishery is growing ahead of a key November vote, with more than 1,200 industry employees and community members urging fisheries managers to reject further cuts.
Webinar to help fishermen tap federal funding for vessel repowers
Commercial fishermen considering an engine repower will have an opportunity to learn how federal funding could help cover some of the cost during an upcoming webinar focused on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant program. “Funding Your Next Repower: EPA DERA Grants” will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 3 to 4 p.m. EST.
$8 billion fuel relief program extends aid to commercial fishermen
Commercial fishermen could receive federal assistance to offset rising fuel costs under a new $8 billion U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) relief program, though key details on payment rates and eligibility for the fishing industry have yet to be released. USDA announced the Harvest Fuel Relief Program on Oct. 19, offering $8 billion in one-time payments intended to help agricultural producers absorb higher fuel and other production costs during the 2026 production year.
SeaShare turns seafood donations into millions of meals
For more than three decades, SeaShare has worked with the commercial fishing and seafood industries to put high-quality seafood on the tables of families facing food insecurity. Now, the nonprofit has surpassed 270 million servings of seafood donated to food banks and feeding programs across the United States. Foodtank recently highlighted SeaShare’s work and its efforts to address what the organization describes as a persistent protein gap at food banks.
Vessel tracking fight ‘ain’t over yet’ after Supreme Court denial
October 19, 2026 — Vinalhaven lobsterman Frank Thompson says his fight against Maine’s vessel-tracking requirement is not over, despite the U.S. Supreme Court declining earlier this month to hear his Fourth Amendment challenge.
Vessel tracking fight ‘ain’t over yet’ after Supreme Court denial
Vinalhaven lobsterman Frank Thompson says his fight against Maine’s vessel-tracking requirement is not over, despite the U.S. Supreme Court declining earlier this month to hear his Fourth Amendment challenge. Thompson, a fifth-generation lobsterman who fishes from the island community of Vinalhaven, told Fox News that he intends to continue challenging a requirement that electronically tracks federally permitted lobster vessels, including when they are underway for personal use.
Menhaden coalition warns Bay cuts could threaten fishing jobs
The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition (MFC) is pushing back against a congressional effort to further restrict Atlantic menhaden harvest in the Chesapeake Bay, arguing that lawmakers should not make additional cuts before ongoing Bay-specific research is complete. In an Oct. 15 statement, the coalition challenged an Oct. 9 letter led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rep.
Groundfish rule brings gear marking changes for 335 vessels
NOAA Fisheries has finalized new gear marking and entanglement-reduction requirements for portions of the Pacific Coast groundfish fleet, including new color-coded lines and buoy markings for vessels fishing with pot and bottom longline gear. The final rule, published in the Federal Register on Oct. 13, applies to limited entry and directed open access groundfish fisheries in federal waters off Washington, Oregon, and California. Most provisions take effect Jan.
‘In Deep Water’ tells a harrowing story of survival at sea
For fishermen, some of the most unsettling survival stories are the ones that begin with an ordinary day on the water. Michael J. Tougias’ latest book, In Deep Water: A True Story of Sharks, Survival, and Courage, begins exactly that way. Three friends head into the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana on Oct. 8, 2022, looking for red snapper. Before the trip is over, their boat will be gone, and the three men will spend 28 hours fighting to stay alive in open water.
Fishing groups concerned over proposed Cook Inlet data center
Alaska commercial fishing and conservation center in Cook Inlet warns that the project could affect salmon migration, fishing operations, and marine habitat. East Coast company DeepGreen Cook Inlet is proposing a 100-megawatt subsea data center that could include as many as 350 underwater turbines and 66 “hives” housing artificial intelligence servers. The system would use Cook Inlet water for power and cooling.
Alternative diesel: practical step or temporary bridge?
As the push toward lower-emission fishing vessels gains momentum, alternative diesel fuels– renewable diesel, biodiesel, and other drop-in options– are often framed as a near-term solution. But there are many obstacles to overcome. After years of covering engine technology and vessel design, National Fisherman boats and gear editor Paul Molyneaux says the transition to alternative fuels looks very different from past shifts, like the move to Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines.
Meet the 2026 Highliners
Each year, National Fisherman’s Highliner Awards recognize individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on the commercial fishing industry and the communities that depend on it. The 2026 Highliners reflect the many ways that commitment can take shape.
NOAA ship arrives in Ketchikan for $95 million overhaul
The NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson has arrived at the Ketchikan Shipyard for a major modernization project, bringing nearly $100 million in federal vessel work to Southeast Alaska. The $95.4 million contract was awarded to JAG Alaska Inc. in June 2025 and runs through Dec. 5, 2027. The project is one of two major NOAA vessel modernization contracts now supporting work at the Ketchikan facility, alongside a $99.6 million overhaul of the research vessel Henry B.
Menhaden debate puts fishermen under pressure
As the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) prepares for a November vote on possible new Chesapeake Bay menhaden restrictions, fishermen and workers on both sides of the debate say the outcome could hit their livelihoods. The Bay Journal reported Oct.
New apprenticeship changes path into Maine scallop fishery
Maine is changing the way new fishermen enter its state scallop drag fishery, pairing its longtime license lottery with an apprenticeship program designed to put experience, safety, and mentorship ahead of a simple random draw. The Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) adopted the new requirements this year after years of discussion with the Scallop Advisory Council, making the 2026 lottery the first to include an apprenticeship requirement.
Menhaden industry group pushes back on forage fish claims
The debate over menhaden’s role in coastal ecosystems and fishing communities continues, as an industry group pushes back on claims linking commercial harvest to predator declines and questions arguments about the fishery’s economic value. The American Small Pelagics Network (ASPN), which represents fishermen, processors, suppliers, and communities connected to fisheries including menhaden, responded to a Sept. 22 Washington Examiner op-ed by Forage Fish Campaign executive director Whit Fosburgh.
Young fishing voice joins Chesapeake Bay menhaden debate
Hundreds of Northern Neck residents turned out Saturday as Virginia’s commercial menhaden community urged fisheries managers to hold off on further Chesapeake Bay harvest restrictions while several new studies of the fishery are underway. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is considering changes to the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery cap through Draft Addendum II to the Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Management Plan.
Lawmakers seek USDA purchase of Pacific whiting
A bipartisan group of Oregon and Washington lawmakers is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase Pacific hake, also known as whiting, as the West Coast seafood industry continues to face disruptions in key export markets. In the Sept.
NOAA could take lead on scallop permit-stacking
The New England Fishery Management Council will not prioritize scallop permit-stacking in 2027, potentially leaving NOAA to pursue the controversial permitting change through a federal process. The council voted overwhelmingly last week to tell federal officials that it “lacks the operational capacity” to take up permit-stacking next year, according to reporting from The New Bedford Light.
Farm Bill 2.0 included new provisions for fishing, seafood
Commercial fishermen and the broader seafood industry would gain access to new federal lending opportunities and several seafood-specific programs under , with provisions addressing everything from vessel financing and domestic processing to country-of-origin labeling and shrimp imports.
Bycatch bill advances amid pollock concerns
The Bycatch Reduction Act has cleared a key Senate committee, moving Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) 's sweeping fisheries legislation closer to the Senate floor as some of Alaska’s largest pollock industry groups raise concerns about how its trawl provisions could play out on the water. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced S.4938 on Sept. 16 by voice vote, with a Sullivan substitute as modified. The bill now moves to the full Senate.
New osprey findings renew Chesapeake menhaden debate
New findings showing historically poor osprey reproduction in portions of the Chesapeake Bay are renewing debate over Atlantic menhaden availability and whether commercial harvest is contributing to food stress among the birds. The Center for Conservation Biology (CCB) at William & Mary released results from its 2026 osprey breeding monitoring this week, reporting widespread nesting failures and historically low reproduction rates in higher-salinity portions of the Bay.
Begich, Hill tackle bycatch and seafood economy
Bycatch, struggling salmon runs, and how to keep more fisheries value in Alaska dominated the U.S. House fisheries debate between Rep. Nick Begich and independent challenger Bill Hill. The two candidates met Sept. 12 in Kodiak during the 2026 Congressional Candidates Fisheries Forum, hosted by the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce and KMXT Public Radio. The forum has focused exclusively on fisheries issues for more than three decades, according to organizers.
Peltola, Sullivan clash over bycatch in fisheries debate
Bycatch, seafood markets, and the future of federal fisheries management took center stage as U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and former Rep. Mary Peltola faced off during a fisheries debate in Kodiak. The two Senate candidates met Sept. 12 during the 2026 Congressional Candidates Fisheries Forum, hosted by the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce and KMXT Public Radio. Questions came from members of the public and the seafood industry and were vetted by representatives from Alaska's fishing sectors.
Electrical efficiency: where fishermen are already finding gains
For all the talk about hybrid propulsion and alternative fuels, some of the most immediate gains in reducing fuel burn and improving performance on commercial fishing vessels aren’t happening in the engine room at all. They’re happening on deck. After decades of conversations with fishermen, boatbuilders, and engineers, National Fisherman's boats and gear editor Paul Molyneaux says the biggest “low-hanging fruit” in efficiency isn’t propulsion– it’s everything around it.
Alaska governor candidates split on fisheries
Alaska’s four candidates for governor faced off over fisheries policy in Kodiak Wednesday night, offering commercial fishermen their clearest look yet at how the next administration could reshape fisheries management in the state. For fishermen, the differences went beyond campaign politics.
Southeast gets rare back-to-back red king crab season
Commercial fishermen in Southeast Alaska will get another shot at red king crab this fall, marking the region’s first back-to-back fisheries in more than two decades. The 2026/27 Southeast Alaska commercial red and blue king crab fishery will open as a competitive fishery at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, with a regionwide guideline harvest level of 213,076 pounds, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G).
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Carli
Contact Carli, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack