What we’re watching
Tuna: It’s What’s for Lunch
Albacore tuna—one of the most widely consumed members of the tuna family—is celebrated for its firm, flavorful flesh and is a staple in canned tuna products that end up in salads, sandwiches and countless other recipes. But the journey from ocean to pantry is anything but simple. Harvesting these pelagic, wide-ranging fish requires crews to work long hours in unforgiving conditions, often on open decks far from shore. The task is physically demanding and can be hazardous: rough seas, heavy gear, fatigue and the risk of injury are part of each fishing season.
The Netflix reality series Battlefish follows that high-stakes world, focusing on the northwest Pacific albacore fishery and the crews from Oregon and Washington who head out every year to chase a valuable catch. Season one comprises eight episodes filmed by videographers embedded aboard working vessels, giving viewers a front-row seat to the intense competition, constant decision-making and the daily grind that define this lucrative fishery. Battlefish highlights not only the raw labor of commercial fishing but also the teamwork, strategy and resilience required when fishermen go head-to-head to secure their share of the haul.
Beyond the drama, the show offers insight into the broader ecosystem of tuna fishing: the supply chain between ocean and table, the economic pressures that motivate fishermen, and the seasonal rhythms that dictate when and where the boats go. For anyone curious about where their tuna comes from, or about life aboard modern fishing vessels, Battlefish provides both spectacle and real-world perspective on a demanding industry.
More salty spooky reads
Deep Dark Sea
Jeffrey James Higgins’s latest novel, Furious: Sailing into Terror, blends nautical adventure with psychological horror. The story centers on Dr. Dagny Steele, a driven surgeon whose life unravels after the unexpected death of her daughter. Seeking a way back to herself, Steele reluctantly accepts her husband Brad’s suggestion of a restorative voyage across the Indian Ocean. What begins as a hopeful escape soon turns sinister: the very vessel meant to heal becomes the setting for escalating dread and violence, as an unseen force seems to overtake the boat and its crew. Higgins weaves a tense, character-driven tale that echoes the claustrophobic unease of classic psychological horror while keeping the story anchored in the realities of life at sea. (Furious: Sailing into Terror, $20, Black Rose Writing)
Icy Insanity
Julian Sancton recounts one of the more harrowing true polar expeditions in Madhouse at the End of the Earth. The book follows Belgian commander Adrien de Gerlache and his 23-man crew as they depart Antwerp in 1897 aboard the refitted ship Belgica on an Antarctic voyage. From the outset, the expedition faced setbacks—including navigational scares, crew discord and the tragic loss of a man overboard—that foreshadowed the greater calamity ahead. When Belgica becomes trapped in pack ice, the crew is plunged into months of bitter cold, perpetual darkness and dwindling supplies, conditions that strain nerves and sanity. The narrative also highlights the role of explorer Dr. Frederick Cook, who joins the mission in South America and helps devise a desperate plan to escape the ice. Sancton’s account is a compelling, suspenseful chronicle of endurance, leadership and survival in one of the planet’s most hostile environments. (Madhouse at the End of the Earth, $30, Crown)
What we’re listening to
The Bonnie Boat Sailing Podcast
For sailors and boat lovers seeking storytelling, practical advice and interviews with people who live and work on the water, The Bonnie Boat Sailing Podcast offers a broad range of episodes. Host Chris Smith, an enthusiastic sailor himself, launched the show to have extended conversations with interesting characters from the waterfront world. Across its 40 episodes, the podcast covers topics such as boat refits, bluewater cruising, life aboard as a liveaboard, and long-distance circumnavigation. Episodes vary in length from roughly half an hour to over an hour, giving room for in-depth interviews and hands-on tips. The show is available on major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio, making it easy to tune in whether you’re preparing for a passage, maintaining a vessel, or simply daydreaming about life under sail.