A Look Inside National Geographic’s Wicked Tuna

October 11, 2023 / Things to Do & See, Wicked Tuna

If you haven’t seen the American reality television series, Wicked Tuna, filmed off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and produced by Pilgrim Media Group for National Geographic, you need to start watching now and join the millions of other fans cheering on their favorite boat in the race to be the highest earning bluefin tuna crew each season.

In a recent interview with Wicked Tuna Executive Producer Mike Nichols, we had a chance to discuss the impact that the series has on the local community and how the program has evolved over the 13 seasons. Read on to find out more about this series and its impact.

What Is Wicked Tuna? 

The series Wicked Tuna takes a deep dive into one of America’s oldest industries – fishing, and more specifically, fishing in the waters of the North Atlantic. The series sheds some light on what life is like out on the open waters for these resilient fishermen trying to make a profit out of catching the sometimes elusive bluefin tuna. 

In its thirteenth season, the reality series closely follows the captains and crew of the Wicked Tuna fleet to see how the U.S. regulations determining size limits and quotas for the season impact the fishermen who rely on the financial resources gained through this type of fishing. This series also shows the reality of what life is truly like on the water battling to catch a bluefin tuna before the regulation quota is met. 

Beyond the fishing aspect of the series, viewers will be especially drawn to the camaraderie of the captains and the crew. Even when competing to see who gets the biggest catch, they still have each other’s backs. More than being a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping show, Nichols explains that it is a family show that people from all walks of life enjoy. Husbands, wives, sons and daughters watch this show and root for their favorite crew. 

Where Can Viewers Find Wicked Tuna? 

The thirteenth season of Wicked Tuna just wrapped filming in Gloucester and viewers will be happy to know that this season is said to be the best season yet with more action and more fish than ever before. 

Viewers can catch up on all seasons streaming on Disney+. For fans of the show who want to get up close and personal with the Wicked Tuna boats docked in Gloucester, Massachusetts, we suggest you take a trip to the working harbor in beautiful Gloucester. You will find the captains, the crew and the boats you have come to know and love docked in several locations around Gloucester including the Cape Ann Marina, on the piers by Gloucester House, and near the Seafood Exchange. 

The Wicked Captains are excited to meet fans and will often take pictures, hand out merchandise, and allow visitors to take a deck tour with pictures in the captain’s chair! 

Gloucester – The Perfect Setting for Filming Wicked Tuna

In our conversation, Nichols explained that while they did research other seaports before deciding on Gloucester, it became an easy decision once they visited “America’s Oldest Seaport.” 

“Gloucester is what’s best about America. The city is not only diverse, but it has the best people who have grit and are hard-working. Gloucester’s fishing community is generational and unique in that the entire city was built for fishing.” 

Specific to the reality series, Nichols notes that the crews are in competition with each other, but in true Gloucester fashion, when the chips are down or something goes awry, they band together and help each other out. “Gloucester isn’t just special because it has an amazing art community, some of the best seafood in the world, or unique shops to enjoy, but they have some of the best people.” 

Why Viewers Love Wicked Tuna 

It’s not luck that keeps viewers coming back to watch the next season but rather the way that the show mirrors what is happening in the world. For instance, in 2008 when the economy was rocky, the captains and crew showed the same concern for finances and making a living as most Americans did at the time. Their compassion for one another was palpable. During covid, when the world came to a halt and we all worried about our health and the health of those around us, viewers saw the closeness of the Wicked fleet and how they care so much for one another. 

The Evolution of Wicked Tuna

The concept of a reality series following the captains and crew of bluefin tuna fishermen was the brainchild of Pilgrim Media Group founder Craig Piligian. He convinced Nichols and the production team to visit Gloucester and check out the lives of tuna fishermen, the size of the huge fish and how it was being done for a paycheck. Once Nichols visited, he knew it was a story they had to tell and Gloucester was the place to tell it. 

Over the thirteen seasons, the concept has stayed the same but the personal stories have changed. Each season, producers look for a new angle to focus on whether it is the ups and downs of personal lives or the introduction of the show’s first fisherwoman to the fleet. There is always something new to experience. 

To Nichols, the reality show isn’t just a television show, it has impacted the community and they see how visitors love to see the boats and meet the crew. They also often hear that restaurants have named sandwiches after the boats or named their tuna dish the “Wicked Tuna” in honor of the show. Production personnel request to work in Gloucester as they feel like part of the community. 

The friendly relationship between the show’s producers and members of Gloucester’s community should come as no shock to anyone who watches the show and knows that the relationships, camaraderie, and welcoming nature of the city shine through in every episode. 

Be sure to watch Wicked Tuna streaming on Disney+ or on National Geographic.