‘Wicked Tuna’ Canceled at National Geographic After 13 Seasons

“Wicked Tuna” has been canceled by National Geographic following the conclusion of its Season 13 run.

Filmed on location in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the surrounding waters, “Wicked Tuna” follows a group of salty fishermen from the nation’s oldest seaport as they make their living the way it’s been done for centuries — rod and reel fishing, one catch at a time — all in pursuit of the bluefin tuna. 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. For commercial fishermen, the directive is simple: Catch a fish or go home without a paycheck.

The reality series premiered in April 2012 on Nat Geo and has since aired more than 200 episodes, spurring a spinoff, “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks,” which aired eight seasons from 2014-2021.

“Wicked Tuna” is executive produced by Mike Nichols, Craig Piligian, Lynn Sadofsky and Michael Cascio. The show hails from Pilgrim Media Group.

“After thirteen seasons on the high seas and more than 200 incredible episodes, the long-running series ‘Wicked Tuna’ has concluded its run on National Geographic,” the cable channel said in a statement Friday. “The series celebrated one of America’s oldest industries since first premiering on National Geographic in 2012 and made internationally recognizable stars out of the intrepid commercial fishermen who brave the unrelenting North Atlantic waters to catch the elusive bluefin tuna. As we reflect on 13 great seasons and 200+ episodes, our appreciation for our production partners at Pilgrim Media Group, our cast and crew, the Gloucester community and the show’s dedicated fans is hard to put into words. It has been an incredible journey together and there are only two words that seem to fit the moment: Thank You.”

The cancellation of “Wicked Tuna” comes amid major cost cutting at National Geographic parent company Disney, which is consolidating operations among its linear TV networks.