An NF Highliner is a career commercial fisherman who is also known for giving back to the industry, locally, nationally, or globally. It is no easy task, and as such it deserves recognition. Representatives from U.S. fishing communities on the East and Gulf coasts are honored in even-numbers years. Odd number years honor individuals from the West Coast and Alaska.
The annual tradition of hailing leaders of the commercial fishing industry began in 1975 and it’s one that the National Fisherman team is opening up to our audience. Honorees will be featured in the print issue of National Fisherman magazine which honors individuals from all regions. They’ll also be able to participate in a series of special events at the Pacific Marine Expo designed to honor and showcase Highliner winners.
Highliners honored in past years
1975
Joe Easley, Spuds Johnson, Nels Otness
1977
Oral Burch, Adolph Samuelson, Wayne Smith
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Dayton L. Alverson
1978
Dan Arnold, John J. Ross, Larry Simns
1979
Louis Agard Jr., Bart Eaton, Barry Fisher
1980
Kenny Daniels, Joe Novello, Rick Savage
1981
Gordon Jensen, Ralph Hazard, Konrad Uri
1982
Richard Miller, William Sandefur Jr., Gabe Skaar
1983
Dave Danborn, Bruce Gore, John Maher
1984
Dick Allen, Paul Pence, James Salisbury
1985
Oscar Dyson, Mike McCorkle, Rudy Peterson
1986
Jake Dykstra, Richard McLellan, Bill Moore
1987
Al Burch, Earl Carpenter, Einar Pedersen
*Special Award: U.S. Coast Guard Station Kodiak
1988
Frank Mirarchi, Sonny Morrison, Louis Puskas
1989
Nat Bingham, Pete Knutsen, Francis Miller
1990
Arnold Leo, Fred Mattera, Mark Taylor
1991
Ron Hegge, Rick Steiner, Tony West
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Clement V. Tillion
1992
David Cousens, Julius Collins, Jim McCauley
1993
John Bruce, Snooks Moore, Jimmy Smith
1994
Tim Adams, Nelson R. Beideman, Joseph Testaverde
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Angela Sanfilippo
1995
Michael McHenry, Dennis Petersen, Gary Slaven
1996
William Foster, Robert Smith, Diane Wilson
*Special Award: U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds
1997
Jim Bassett, Mark Lundsten, Pietro Parravano
1998
Bill Amaru, Felix G. Cox, Gary Nichols
1999
Wayne Moody, Jay Stinson, Ray Wadsworth
2000
Scott Keefe, Patten D. White, Richard Neilsen Jr.
2001
Ginny Goblirsch, Jamie Ross,
Tim Thomas
2002
George Barisich, Russell Dize, Luis Ribas
2003
Dan Hanson, Chris Miller, Arne Fuglvog
2004
David Goethel, James Ruhle Sr., Tony Iarocci
2005
Wilburn Hall, Bill Webber Sr., Bill Maahs
2006
Vito Giacalone, David Karwacki, Jim Lovgren
2007
Dave Bitts, Eric Jordan, Kaare Ness
2008
Rodney Avila, Tilman Gray, Craig Pendleton
2009
Linda Behnken, Kevin Ganley, Joel Kawahara
2010
Bob Evans, Jim Odlin, David Spencer
2011
Larry Collins, Dan Falvey, Bill Webber Jr.
2012
Dewey Hemilright, Kevin Wark, Wayne Werner
2013
Robert Heyano, Robert Hezel, Jerry McCune
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Brian Rothschild
2014
Martin Fisher, Ida Hall, Russell Sherman
2015
John F. Gruver, Kathy Hansen, Jeremiah O’Brien
2016
Robert T. Brown Sr., Ben Hartig, Carl “Sonny” McIntire Jr.
2017
Bob Dooley, George Eliason, Bruce Schactler
2018
Ryan Bradley, Kristan Porter,
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Bob Jones
2019
Dick Ogg, Heather Sears,
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Jack Schultheis
2020
Jerry Fraser, Frank Patti Sr.
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Bonnie Brady
2021
Julie Decker, Jerry Dzugan, Benjamin Platt
*Special Award: Lifetime Achievement
Jennifer Lincoln
