History
Founded in 1967, the company’s current operations began in 1986, when foreign fleets and joint ventures with U.S. vessels still dominated offshore groundfish fisheries in the North Pacific*. That year, the company acquired the first American-built catcher processor, designed initially for crabbing but converted into a multi-species catcher processor, named American No. 1. This marked the first time an American fishing company launched a trawl catcher processor operation in the North Pacific.
Between 1991 and 2003, the company expanded into freezer longline fishing with two vessels: Pathfinder and Liberator.
In 1997, it added a second catcher processor, the U.S. Intrepid, which, together with American No. 1, helped lead the multi-species fishing sector across the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska.
In 2007, the multi-species fishery transitioned to a rationalized quota system, with allocations given to vessels based on their fishing history. This sector became known as Amendment 80.
Continuing to modernize its fleet, the company commissioned a new vessel, America’s Finest, from Dakota Creek Shipbuilding in 2016. The ship was deployed to Alaska in 2019.
Today, all three ships – American No. 1, U.S. Intrepid, and America’s Finest– are actively operating, earning an impeccable reputation for their skilled crews and stellar performance.
Timeline
Company Founded
1967
Began as a crab fishing company focused on King and Tanner crab fishing out of Dutch Harbor and Kodiak, Alaska.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA)
1976
Established federal fisheries management in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), extending U.S. jurisdiction to 200 nautical miles and creating Regional Fishery Management Councils.
Acquisition of American No. 1
1986
First combination trawl/crab catcher processor built in the U.S. by Marco Shipyard. Originally built in 1979 and christened by Senator Magnuson. Converted to a multi-species catcher processor and deployed to the Gulf of Alaska on April 26, 1986. Marked the beginning of the Americanization of North Pacific fisheries.
Acquisition of F/V Pathfinder
1992
Supply ship converted into a Freezer/Longliner.
Fleet Expansion
1997
Acquired a trawl catcher processor ship and renamed it F/V US Intrepid.
Acquired another ship and converted it into a Freezer/Longliner named F/V Liberator.
Both Freezer/Longliners (Pathfinder and Liberator) were sold in 2003.
Multi-Species Trawl Sector, aka Amendment 80 sector, Rationalized
2007
Introduction of a quota system for the sector.
Commissioning of F/V America’s Finest
2014
New catcher processor commissioned to be built by Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, Washington.
Delivery of F/V America’s Finest
2019
Delivered on February 6, 2019, America’s Finest Debuted as the most advanced fishing ship in America.
Current Operations
Present day
Operating American No. 1, US Intrepid, and America’s Finest in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea.