Historic F/V Pelican (1930): A Wooden Longliner Still Fishing Halibut & Black Cod in Puget Sound

by Oleg Nikitenko January 22, 2026

Step Aboard the F/V Pelican: A Living Legend of the Pacific Northwest Fishing Fleet

Most boats fade away with time. The sea is hard on wood, and harder on memory. But every now and then, a vessel defies the odds — not by sitting in a museum, but by still doing exactly what it was built to do.

Meet the F/V Pelican, a 78-foot wooden longliner built in 1930, still actively fishing today for Pacific halibut and sablefish (black cod) in the waters of Puget Sound, Alaska, and the broader Pacific Northwest. It is not just seaworthy — it is living proof that craftsmanship, tradition, and a respect for the sea never go out of style.

Built to Last: The Story of the F/V Pelican

Launched during the Great Depression, the Pelican was crafted in an era when wooden boats were built to endure the toughest seas. Originally designed as a research and exploration vessel, she was later outfitted as a commercial longliner, targeting two of the most prized deepwater species in the North Pacific: sablefish (black cod) and Pacific halibut.

While most boats from that era have long since retired or rotted away, the Pelican still cruises the same salty corridors — now with updated navigation and safety gear, but with the same rugged hull and classic lines. She is a working relic, as rare as they come, and still helping to harvest some of the finest seafood in the world.

What the Pelican Catches Today

Every season, the F/V Pelican heads north, following the migratory paths of bottom-dwelling giants. Using longline gear — a method that minimizes bycatch and preserves fish quality — she targets two of the most prized species in the North Pacific.

Pacific Halibut

Prized for its mild flavor and meaty, flaking texture, halibut is a cornerstone of Northwest cuisine. The Pelican’s catch often ends up as:

Sablefish (Black Cod)

Known as the “butterfish” for its high oil content and silky flesh, sablefish is one of the most luxurious and underrated fish in the sea. The Pelican’s sablefish often reaches consumers as:

Filmed in Puget Sound — Still Working Local Waters

Unlike many boats her age, the F/V Pelican still calls the Pacific Northwest home, docking regularly in Puget Sound ports before heading north for the commercial fishing season. In the off-season, she may be spotted along Washington’s coast, standing out among modern steel hulls with her handcrafted wooden frame, clean decks, and timeless silhouette.

Her continued operation is a tribute to the power of traditional boatbuilding, the value of sustainable fishing, and the legacy of working families on the water.

A Sustainable Fishing Legacy

The Pelican does not just fish — she fishes right. Longlining is widely considered one of the most sustainable commercial fishing methods, particularly for reducing bycatch, protecting seafloor habitats, and maximizing catch quality and traceability.

This makes products harvested by boats like the Pelican a smarter choice for eco-conscious seafood buyers. When you purchase sablefish or halibut from a source like Global Seafoods, you are supporting that chain of integrity — all the way back to boats like this one.

Why This Boat Still Matters

In an age of fast boats and factory fishing, the F/V Pelican represents something slower, better, and more meaningful. Almost 100 years old and still catching premium fish — that is a legacy worth understanding. She is not just about the catch. She is about doing the job right, preserving a tradition that produces better seafood, and feeding people with purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is the F/V Pelican and is it still fishing?
The F/V Pelican was built in 1930, making her nearly 100 years old. She is still actively fishing for Pacific halibut and sablefish (black cod) in Puget Sound and Alaska — one of the oldest working wooden longliners in the Pacific Northwest commercial fleet.
What is longlining and why is it considered sustainable?
Longlining deploys a main line with hundreds of baited hooks at controlled depths, targeting specific bottom-dwelling species like halibut and sablefish. Compared to trawling, it causes minimal seafloor disturbance, produces very little bycatch when properly managed, and allows fish to be brought aboard individually — which preserves quality and traceability from the moment of capture.
What is the difference between sablefish and black cod?
They are the same fish. Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) is the scientific and market name; black cod is the common trade name used in the Pacific Northwest and in Japanese cuisine (where it is often prepared as gindara). The fish is prized for its exceptionally high fat content, which gives it a buttery, silky texture that holds up well to broiling, miso-glazing, and smoking.
Why is Pacific halibut so highly prized?
Pacific halibut is one of the largest flatfish in the ocean, with a mild, clean flavor and firm white flesh that flakes in large, meaty sections. It has a very low fat content compared to most fish, which makes it versatile across cooking methods — grilling, baking, pan-searing, poaching, and frying all work well. The cheeks, cut from the head, are considered a delicacy for their scallop-like texture.
Where can I buy halibut and sablefish caught by longline?
Global Seafoods carries wild-caught Pacific halibut and sablefish sourced from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, including halibut fillets, halibut cheeks, sablefish fillets, sablefish steaks, and dry-aged sablefish. All products ship nationwide.

A Living Legend of the Pacific Northwest

The F/V Pelican is not a museum ship — she is a working, fishing legend. Built in 1930 and still harvesting the Pacific’s best halibut and sablefish, she bridges the gap between past and present, between heritage and harvest.

So next time you enjoy a piece of buttery black cod or a flaky halibut fillet, think about the people — and the boats — that make it possible.

See more fishing heritage on the Global Seafoods YouTube Channel .

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