Story by Molly Ekstrom & Jesse Pavlik
The F/V Marilyn J has been part of the Besecker family fishing operation since 2016. Based in Bellingham, Washington, the 58-foot commercial fishing vessel spends much of the year fishing for halibut and sablefish in Alaska and along the Washington and Oregon coasts.
In 2026, the Marilyn J began a new chapter when longtime commercial fisherman Jesse Pavlik took over as captain.
Jesse and his wife, Molly, are no strangers to the Besecker family or to Premier Catch. They have spent much of their adult lives in the commercial fishing industry, and their relationship with the Beseckers goes back years. While Jesse captained the F/V Sherrie Marie, a significant portion of their catch was delivered to the Dana F. Besecker Company, and they have also worked alongside Premier Catch.
After an unexpected change brought their time on the Sherrie Marie to an end following the 2024 season, Jesse and Molly found themselves figuring out what would come next. Molly shares the story of how that next chapter led them to the Marilyn J.
“Finding Our Way to the Marilyn J”
For most of our adult lives, the F/V Sherrie Marie was a huge part of our family’s story.
We spent years working on and running the boat together, and many of our favorite memories were made on the water. Fishing has given our family so much, but anyone who works in this industry knows that it can also be unpredictable.
At the end of the 2024 season, circumstances outside of our control brought our time with the Sherrie Marie to an end. After spending so many years with one operation, it took some time to figure out what we wanted the next chapter to look like.
In early 2026, Jesse approached Tyler Besecker to discuss future opportunities within the industry. Jesse and Tyler’s business relationship goes back years. When we fished on the Sherrie Marie, we delivered a significant portion of our catch to the Dana F. Besecker Company each season, and Jesse had worked with Tyler since his early days running the boat. We’ve also been proud to work alongside the Besecker family’s direct-to-consumer seafood company, Premier Catch.
During that conversation, Tyler presented Jesse with the opportunity to run the Besecker family’s fishing boat, the F/V Marilyn J. Within a few days, Jesse accepted, and we embarked on this new chapter for our family.
This new journey has come with its challenges. Boats tend to be every bit as unpredictable as the fishing industry. Before Jesse could begin fishing this season, the Marilyn J needed a new main engine. It was a difficult project that took a lot of hard work from everyone involved. With the help of many people, a few late nights and early mornings, and plenty of determination, the new engine was installed and Jesse was ready to take the Marilyn J fishing.
Fishing in Alaska this season was full of what we as fishermen dream about: big fish, good weather, and a hard-working crew. In just a few short weeks, Jesse caught his Alaska quota and is now headed to fish aboard the Marilyn J off the coast of Washington.
This will be a new experience for Jesse, who has never captained a boat fishing out of Washington before. It’s a challenge he’s excited to take on.
We couldn’t be more thrilled that Jesse is now running the Marilyn J and working more directly with Tyler, the Besecker family, and Premier Catch. We look forward to continuing to share our story with you.
Molly & Jesse