Tag Archives: ‘Wicked Tuna’

In a surging seafood industry, boat captains struggle to find workers

America loves its reality TV fishing shows like Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch” and National Geographic’s “Wicked Tuna.” But in reality, it’s an industry plagued by not having enough workers.  “It’s hard to find people. I mean, that’s just the challenge,” said boat captain Darren Platt. “There’s not a whole lot of experience. There’s not enough experienced people out there to fully be employed in the fleet.” In Alaska, Platt captains the salmon fishing boat Agnes Sabine. He could use some help, but with record low unemployment in the lower 48 states, fewer young people are making their way north to Kodiak to make fishing their full-time job. “We need to continuously bring in people from outside to come up and work,” Platt said. “And it’s usually college students or young folks looking for an adventure, but not career fishermen. “Video, >>click to read<< 10:35

‘Wicked Tuna’ captain honors fallen firefighter

A star of National Geographic’s reality series “Wicked Tuna,” Capt. Dave Marciano of Beverly, fished out a winning raffle ticket at Gloucester Fire Headquarters on Sunday, Aug. 20, to help honor the memory of a fallen Gloucester firefighter. Marciano had donated a half-day charter as part of efforts to honor the late Gloucester firefighter Gregory G. “Headly” Marchant as his family and firefighters plan to travel to Colorado Springs, Colorado, next month to see Marchant’s name added to the wall of the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Fallen Firefighter Memorial. >click to read< 09:11

Dave Marciano Illness: What Happened To His Health?

Dave Marciano is one of the most well-known stars of Wicked Tuna. There are some whispers going around that he is sick at this time. These rumors are unconfirmed and appear to be hoaxes. Despite these rumors, Marciano seems healthy and is regularly engaging with admirers on social media. Commercial fisherman Dave Marciano, who stars in “Wicked Tuna,” is selling fresh tuna. Angelica’s Seafoods, Marciano’s new company, sells tuna and other seafood directly to consumers. Marciano’s kid was born during the filming “Wicked Tuna.” Marciano’s Hard Merchandise and other local boats will supply Angelica’s seafood with tuna. The company will sell lobster, scallops, crab, and sushi-grade tuna. Online seafood orders will be delivered to customers. >click to read< 09:37

Dave Marciano: Unveiling The Impressive Net Worth Of The “Wicked Tuna” Star In 2023

American commercial fisherman and reality television celebrity Dave Marciano works in the industry. He was made in the United States on January 7, 1960, in Ipswich, Massachusetts. As one of the cast members of the reality television programme “Wicked Tuna,” which is broadcast on the National Geographic Channel, Dave Marciano rose to fame. Marciano has won the hearts of viewers with his unmatched expertise and unyielding perseverance as he competes against the weather and his fellow fisherman in a high-stakes game of skill and strategy. >click to read< 11:07

‘Wicked Tuna’: T.J. Ott Pays 5-Figure Fine for Illegal Act

Back on Dec. 7, 2022, the Massachusetts Environmental Police revealed that its officers began investigating the illegal sale of bluefin tuna, a federally regulated species in October 2021. During the investigation, they discovered that bluefin tuna was being sold at a Gloucester fish market, and a captain faced criminal charges. In November 2022, the captain reached a plea deal with the state and paid $13,000 in fines for the illegal sale of the fish. Although the post didn’t mention Ott, the Gloucester Daily Times later reported that he was the captain involved. >click to read< 07:57

Woman captain joins ‘Wicked Tuna’ for 12th season

Filmed on location in Gloucester and on the North Atlantic Ocean, the show follows experienced fishermen from the nation’s oldest seaport, chronicling their triumphs, challenges and the ones that get away. Of the eight captains, four are from Gloucester, two are from Beverly and two are from New Hampshire. The newcomer up against the veteran competitors is Capt. Michelle Bancewicz of the 31-foot No Limits, who joins the fleet with her first mate Lea Pinaud. Bancewicz had an epic catch in October 2021 that made the news and went viral around the globe when she single-handedly brought in an 800-pound tuna. Bancewicz, of Seabrook, New Hampshire, has been fishing recreationally since she was a youngster. Photos, >click to read< 10:52

Facts About Wicked Tuna’s Dave Marciano You Won’t Have to Fish For

When selecting captains for the reality series “Wicked Tuna,” National Geographic definitely made a great choice with veteran seaman commercial fisherman Dave Marciano. Ever since he was a young boy, the fisherman has spent so much of his life at sea that it became a fundamental part of his identity long ago. It would be foolish to think that Marciano’s life hadn’t changed dramatically since the show premiered in 2012, but deep down, it really seems like the captain has remained the same devoted and incredibly hard-working individual he always has been, and its those qualities that make his such a relatable personality on that show that many audience members cannot help but root for. His fascinating past has made him the man he is today and here are the pivotal aspects of that journey leading to reality stardom. Photos, >click to read< 14:14

‘Wicked Tuna’ captain sets sights on selling you tuna

“People have said this to me a hundred times, ‘Where can we get some of the fish that we see you catch on the show?’ I bet I have been asked that a thousand times. and I can’t send them anywhere to get a piece of the fish,” besides a few local restaurants, he said, or maybe a sushi buyer looking for tuna with a high fat for the Asian market. “We’ve put this name in the households,” Marciano said. “We’ve put the idea of this product in people’s heads. Right now we just can’t send it to them. Well, that’s about to change.” Starting Sept. 1, Marciano, whose Angelica Fisheries offers fishing charters aboard the fishing vessels Hard Merchandise and Falcon from Gloucester, is casting out his reality show fame to hook customers as he starts a new business called Angelica Seafoods. Photos, >click to read< 07:25

Fans still flock as end of 11th ‘Wicked Tuna’ season nears

“Wicked Tuna,” based in Gloucester, continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of viewers, who continue to flock to America’s oldest seaport to catch a glimpse of one of the show’s boats or its captain and crew. Cathy and Jeff Dyer of Knoxville, Tennessee, are among the recent visitors in search of all things “Wicked Tuna.” “That was one of our missions on our recent trip to New England. Our first impression as we drove through the city was it was much bigger than we expected,” said Cathy Dyer. “When we saw the Fishermen’s Memorial driving into town, we knew we were in the presence of the ‘Wicked Tuna.’ Our visit was very memorable and eventful.” >click to read< 10:06

‘Wicked Tuna’ returns for Season 11

The tuna fishermen in the National Geographic hit series “Wicked Tuna” were not crushed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, although they too faced the challenges of a world economy turned upside down. But the “monstah” bluefin tuna competition is back. Season 11 kicks off on NatGeo TV with the extended 90-minute episode “Back on the Hunt” this Sunday, Feb. 27, at 9 p.m. Filmed on location in Gloucester and at sea, the show follows experienced fishermen from the nation’s oldest seaport, chronicling their triumphs and sometimes the ones that get away. Of the eight captains, half are from Gloucester, and two are from Beverly. The other two are from New Hampshire and New Jersey. >click to read< 21:24

Wicked Tuna’s Tyler McLaughlin

National Geographic’s show “Wicked Tuna” has captivated and entertained audiences who not only revel in some good ol’ reality television but are also interested in what life at sea really entails. The show has had a successful run (10 seasons) and people just can’t get enough of these New England tuna fishermen who risk their lives for a promising salary and prestige. One of the show’s favorite OG fisherman is tuna fishing expert and New Hampshire native Tyler McLaughlin. McLaughlin has been on the show since day one ,,, >click to read< 07:50

The Bluefin Tuna Trophy angler season closed in March. Normally it would last into June.

The popular show “Wicked Tuna” put the species on a lot of people’s Bucket Lists. I fished seasonally through the 90’s until 2012. A small fish back then dressed over 300 lbs.! I’m writing now because of the effects of the BP Deep Water oil spill and poisoning. The Gulf of Mexico is one of the major spawning grounds for Bluefin Tuna. We sacrificed through Quota cuts to help the species. Commercial size limits allowed for the fish to reach sexual maturity to help propagate the species. The spill has affected the spawn since 2010 after a swipe of a pen set off the poison “COREXIT” rain!!! Dr. Jane Lubechenco signed that paper. The Gulf continually suffers from this planet changing maneuver! The effects of “COREXIT” have been known since the Exxon Valdez spill off 1989. She easily erased all of our sacrifices for the Bluefin Tuna Fishery. Regards, SBH. Click to comment! 16:25

F/V Hard Merchandise, F/V Wicked Pissah fight to the finish of “Wicked Tuna” Season 10

One of the most challenging seasons ever experienced by the “Wicked Tuna” captains drew to a close Sunday, with Wicked Pissah, captained by Gloucester-based fisherman Paul Hebert, coming out on top. With the crews overcoming a global pandemic that severely impacted the bluefin market, the season came down to a battle between the Wicked Pissah and the Hard Merchandise, captained by Dave Marciano of Beverly. “These final days, we’re off on our own again, doing whatever we can to set ourselves up for success,” Marciano said. “The fleet may be mad that we’ve done our own thing this season, but the fact of the matter is, we do our best when we keep quiet and fish away from everyone.” >click to read< 11:55

In partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project, ‘Wicked Tuna’ honors wounded veterans

A special episode of the National Geographic show ‘Wicked Tuna’ showcased six wounded veterans alongside their cast of boat captains in an effort to give back to the veteran community. One veteran who participated in the episode, Jeffery Nunez, served over five years in the Marine Corps and he believes his time on board the boat was part of his healing from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Captain Dave Marciano, featured on the show, has been particularly involved with WPP. Following season one of ‘Wicked Tuna,’ he partnered with WPP and began to take veterans on his boat for yearly charter fishing trips.   >click to read< 12:46

‘Wicked Tuna’ rivalry gives way to cooperation

The coronavirus pandemic’s tidal wave of challenges made its way to the high seas, and viewers of “Wicked Tuna” will see a new dynamic when the 10th season opens with a 90-minute premiere Sunday at 9 p.m. The show is known for following Gloucester fishermen in the highly competitive hunt for giant bluefin tuna and the race back to shore in search of the highest price,,, That is until COVID-19 prompted a business shutdown nearly a year ago, with restaurants shuttered or operating at a fraction of their capacity. The market and demand for the usually lucrative bluefin sank. “It was great to see fishermen working together with buyers to do the best we could in these difficult times,” said Capt. Dave Marciano,,, >click to read< 14:03

What happened to Nicholas Fudge, also known as “Duffy” on Wicked Tuna? 

Reality TV shows are known to make fans fall in love with the stars. It is common for fans to get to know the celebs as real people as they go along with them in their adventures. Therefore, when one of them dies mysteriously, the loss is felt deeply. The death of Duffy left all his fans shaken and in grief. Of course, fans wanted to know what happened to their favourite fisherman. >click to read< 15:41

Podcast: FV-Tuna.com Capt. Dave Carraro previews Wicked Tuna Outer Banks season finale

Capt. Dave Carraro has been a mainstay and a fan favorite on National Geographic’s hit series, Wicked Tuna, which chronicles the lives of commercial bluefin tuna fishermen in America’s oldest seaport – Gloucester, Massachusettes. He is the legendary captain of the FV-Tuna.com, and has an unprecedented five wins on Wicked Tuna. Carraro’s repeated success and highly competitive nature sometimes put him at odds with the rest of the fleet, but he is notoriously more interested in catching fish than making friends. Listen to the podcast! >click to read< 10:03

Reality TV and Real Work in the Fishing Industry

Fishing may be the world’s second oldest profession, but the industry is about as visible as a quiet cousin at a family reunion. Unassuming, keeping to itself, it is largely ignored in talk about work and the economy.  All of which belies its oddly large footprint in reality TV. Some of these “fishing industry” shows look at huge, highly capitalized and often nationalized factory fishing fleets.  But most usually focus on much smaller, community and family-based single-owner boat crews that are part of a local fleet. >click to read< 08:09

Here’s What Cast Members of ‘Wicked Tuna’ Make per Episode

The Wicked Tuna cast members’ salaries look a whole lot different than when the show kicked off back in 2012. And crew and deckhands always make far less than captains, or crew members who have risen to stardom either because the network saw potential, or their personalities stood out for TV. When it first aired, the crew reportedly pulled in between $2,000 and $3,000 per boat, per episode, separate from whatever fish they hauled in. As of 2019, that figure was up to $10,000 per episode — but some of the longstanding series stars may make up to $100,000 per show. >click to read< 17:46

Reeling in the Benefits of Upgraded Boat Controls With An Electronic Control System

The Challenges of Push-Pull Cable Systems. When the bluefin tuna season ends in Gloucester, it’s only getting started in North Carolina—drawing northern fishermen to the tumultuous seas of the Outer Banks. The ensuing competition between northern fishermen and their southern counterparts spawned the spin-off series, “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks,” which spotlights Marciano and several other boats from the original series. Being a contender in this high-stakes competition requires the latest in boat control technology, something Marciano needed to upgrade.  As fate would have it, Steve Vincent, Manager of Business Development Marine at Emerson, was a fan of the “Wicked Tuna” series. “When I watched the show, I noticed the boats still integrated mechanical levers,” Vincent says. “Right away, he saw the benefits and possibilities,” >click to read< 10:45

Interview: ‘Wicked Tuna’ star Dave Marciano talks misconceptions about fishermen

“Wicked Tuna” star Captain Dave Marciano has been in the fishing business for over 30 years… “The series gives viewers an in-depth look at the intense battles, fierce competition, crushing losses and major paydays of the country’s toughest captains,” according to a press release. Marciano spoke with Fox News about the trials and tribulations of Season 9, if he’ll ever retire, and how he’s trying to help save the oceans and its various fish species. >click to read< 07:24

NH Man to Appear on Upcoming Season of ‘Wicked Tuna’

The show is a series about commercial tuna fishermen based in Gloucester, MA and their quest for the lucrative Atlantic Bluefin tuna. This season you may see someone you recognize! Sam Law of Greenland will be making his debut this season on his boat F/V Kraken out of Seabrook, NH! >click to read, watch trailer< 17:11

Once Robust, Bluefin Tuna Fishery Is In Economic Freefall

Carl Coppenrath can remember the days when it seemed bluefin tuna fishermen could walk on water. In the heyday of the 1980s, the market was so flush in Menemsha that fishermen could literally walk across a harbor packed with a fleet of commercial vessels lined up at the end of the day to sell their catch for top dollar. The mystique and allure of catching the torpedo-shaped fish that can weigh over 1,400 pounds brought glory and the prospects of such wealth that it awoke the romantic reimagination of the old whaling days of the Island. So much so that it spawned the popular cable TV series Wicked Tuna and lit up social media with photos and boastful tales of the trophy fish. “It’s like an addiction . . . >click to read< 21:29

Making the Cut! – Former Wilsonian featured on “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks”

As a boy, Daniel Blanks fished all the little farm ponds around Wilson County. On Sunday night, Blanks will be featured on the popular National Geographic television series “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks” as he and commercial fishing partner Zack Shackleton angle for bluefin tuna 40 miles off the North Carolina coast in the Atlantic Ocean.,, Then this year, the “Wicked Tuna” producers were looking for new captains. Blanks’ girlfriend sent in an application to “Wicked Tuna” hoping to get on the show. “We were kind of joking about it saying they would never pick a little boat like us to be on and sure enough, they called us,” >click to read<08:41  9 p.m. Sunday

‘Wicked Tuna’ captains re-up for 9th season

The hit National Geographic series “Wicked Tuna” has been renewed for a ninth season, and the finale of season eight airs this Sunday, June 16, at 9 p.m. in an extended 90-minute episode “The Final Tail.” “Wicked Tuna,” which is filmed on location in Gloucester and the surrounding waters, airs internationally on National Geographic in 171 countries and in 43 languages.  The producers have found that this television series has hooked millions of viewers not only from the region but from around the world. Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken knows the city benefits from this wave of notoriety. “It’s great for the city as it continues to put us on the map,” she said. >click to read<22:03

Behind the Scenes with Wicked Tuna

The men on the dock were the tuna boat captains who head the cast of the upcoming eighth season of the National Geographic channel’s reality show Wicked Tuna, airing this year. They had spent the summer fishing—and filming—and had plans to ply the waters throughout the fall, but for the moment they were fulfilling the responsibilities of their other job: TV star. “We’re just fishermen who got a shot at doing something really cool,” says T.J. Ott, who captains the Hot Tuna on and off the show, which has developed a cult following. >click to read<21:27

Wicked Tuna exclusive: The new season 8 begins after a rough 2018, preview

Wicked Tuna is back this Sunday on National Geographic Channel. Last season was defined by unstable alliances, shocking injuries, and massive blow ups, and winning is and was anyone’s game. It was also colored by the early death of one very young Wicked Tuna cast member. Our exclusive clip is a preview of the opening day of the bluefin tuna season and Season 8 of Wicked Tuna.,, Old faces return and new young upstarts will add to Season 8, as the core cast must compete and grieve at the same time. >click to read< Wicked Tuna starts with an extended 90-minute episode on Sunday, March 10, at 9/8c on National Geographic Channel13:02

Will “Willbilly” Hathaway – Ocean City Fisherman Leaves Legacy on Fishing Community

A significant impact was made by Will “Willbilly” Hathaway within a short amount of time within the Ocean City fishing community. Will was an experienced fisherman in Worcester County that carried on beyond his commercial fishing legacy. “It’s not how you want to start it off, but you set back out and try again. At least we know they’re here,” Hathaway said during a Wicked Tuna interview. Hathaway and friends, Captain Dale Lisi and Ed Gross would often comment on during their Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks interviews. Video, >click to read>12:39

“He was Hell on Wheels, that boy” – ‘Wicked Tuna’ fisherman Nick ‘Duffy’ Fudge mourned

The death of “Wicked Tuna” cast member Nicholas “Duffy” Fudge at age 28 is being mourned in the Seacoast and beyond, and his family on Monday shared special memories dating back to his childhood. He caught his first tune around age 8, on his first day tuna fishing with his father, Ron. “We told him he should retire, never to do it again, because you don’t get many, but he didn’t listen,” Ron Fudge said. Nick, who grew up in Greenland, was he first mate on Rye Capt. Tyler McLaughlin’s boat The Pinwheel. He became a popular personality on the National Geographic Channel reality TV show about competing fishermen. His parents and family members on Monday focused on Nick’s life. >click to read<09:00

Obituary – Nick ‘Duffy’ Fudge, Services, and calling hours->click to read, sign the guest book<

Another Cast Member of “Wicked Tuna” Dies

Nicholas Fudge, who was the first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlin’s boat, has died, as per reports on July 22, 2018. People have been extremely saddened by the news and are wondering how Duffy from Wicked Tuna died. Unfortunately, Nicholas Fudge’s cause of death of unknown at this time, but details are expected later. Wicked Tuna has tweeted, “We join his family and friends in mourning his untimely loss.” Fans of the show paid homage to Fudge on social media and offered their condolences. >click to read<08:01