In this age of virtually countless and questionable news and information sources, The Navigator Magazine is more relevant than ever.
Not too long ago, if information appeared in print, or online in more recent years, it was pretty much assumed that the reader could trust its accuracy. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. In this ever-changing, 24-hour news cycle, anyone in almost ever corner of the world can post information, leaving it up to the overwhelmed reader to determine its truth and accuracy.
So where is someone to turn?
Fortunately, for the fishing and marine industries in eastern and Atlantic Canada over the past 20 years, The Navigator has proven to be one of the most trusted information sources for fishermen, processors, government and other stakeholders alike.
Through a mixture of solid, objective reporting, diverse regional coverage and a special knack for getting right to the root of the many issues facing the fishery, The Navigator has become that go-to medium for the industry in this area.
With a 20-year journalistic mantra of educating, informing and entertaining, The Navigator has carved out a preeminent spot as a leader in marine reporting, not only here but across the globe. One look at the vast international reach of the popular Navigator website only backs up that premise.
But despite the magazine’s ever-expanding digital, web and social media presence, The Navigator’s hard copy edition remains the backbone of the publication.
For two decades, the magazine has appeared in mailboxes, wheelhouses, engine rooms and fishplant lunchrooms — to be pored over and passed around by eager readers. The thousands of readers say there is something about the tactile experience of holding the magazine in their hands, cutting out photos of a colleague or even themselves for a vessel’s refrigerator door or circling a listing or two or three in the Boat Market.
It is a very safe statement to allege that Navigator subscribers are some of the most loyal readers in the magazine realm — a envy to many struggling industry publications the world over.
The three directors of the TriNav Group of Companies are the first to agree that the strength of The Navigator is built on its dedicated readership.
In 1997, Paul Pinhorn, Trevor Decker and Rick Young were the founding catalysts behind this industry-leading magazine in Atlantic Canada.
“It all started 20 years ago when we recognized the need for a publication strictly dedicated to the fishing industry,” Pinhorn explained.
“The three of us shared a common ground in terms of our commitment and dedication to the fishing industry and were ready to make the investment into our own publication. I remember my first conversation with Ray Andrews who reminded me of the old Decks Awash magazine publication and suggested that The Navigator take the same magazine format. Within an extremely short period of time, we had pulled together a magazine that the fishing industry players could call their own,” Pinhorn said proudly.
Decker noted that two decades ago, the industry was in dire need of a reliable information source.
“Twenty years ago, we started The Navigator Magazine due to a gap in information transfer in Newfoundland and Labrador and later expanded into Atlantic Canada,” explained Decker.
“At the time, TriNav was only four years old and we saw the problem first-hand in the getting information to fishermen. The Navigator has been quite instrumental with the growth of TriNav and many other businesses and fishermen over the past 20 years.”
As the magazine grew and expanded over the decades, it evolved into the preeminent fishing industry source for the region.
“We have witnessed how The Navigator has helped fishermen build their businesses and adapt with changes within the politics of the industry,” Young said.
“It has been quite interesting and exciting to read each of the issues over the past 20 years to see how the people within the industry have been able to adapt to change. Not only have the people in the industry survived over the past 20 years, the publication has succeeded as well.”
Pinhorn said the magazine has flourished under a combination of solid management, a creative and innovative staff and key partnerships.
“Throughout the years, the magazine has grown to be the most respected media source for the industry. Its partnership with Master Promotions in all three major fisheries shows in Atlantic Canada demonstrated this well-deserved respect. I would like to acknowledge the participation of everyone involved over the years and in particular, Jim Wellman and Ray Andrews, who were instrumental in assisting us in getting the publication off the ground and their continued support throughout the years. The magazine is in now in good hands with Kerry Hann at the helm as we look ahead to the future of the fishery. The Navigator is ready to deliver direct and reliable media coverage over the next 20 years.”
