New Series ALL ON THE LINE Explores the Lucrative World of Bluefin Tuna Fishing

The North Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is considered one of the most valuable fish in the world. Due to a limited supply globally, prices can reach as high as a whopping $20K for a single catch. This also means a tight quota to avoid overfishing and encourage sustainability, something that can be reached at any moment and send fishermen home empty handed. To win big, fishermen must reel in the biggest tuna as fast as possible.

But there’s a catch: each boat is allowed one catch per day and must reel them in by hand, resulting in a backbreaking battle that can last for hours.

With the livelihood of their families on the line and generations of tradition behind them, these families of fishermen will rely on each other and work together towards a shared goal. On new Discovery series, ALL ON THE LINE, we'll take a look at two families in particular that are fighting for a lucrative catch.

Johnny Johnson

Boat: The Subdivider

Legendary and larger-than-life fisherman, Johnny Johnson (pictured above), has assembled a tight-knit crew in his hunt for record tuna. Johnson joined the Grateful Dead roadcrew in the early 80s and toured the world before ending up in Hawaii where he discovered yellowfin tuna fishing -- chasing the biggest and best is in his blood as his dad holds the world record for the biggest catfish, which drives him to excel in his chosen field. More mythical force of nature than man, Johnson has his sights set on catching the biggest bluefin tuna the world has ever seen. After chasing the biggest tuna around the world, Johnson has earned a reputation for wanting to help others along the way in order to preserve this unique community and way of life.

Dan Smith Sr. and Danny Jr.

Boat: Julia Nicole

At the helm of the ‘Julia Nicole’ is a multigenerational family business – grandfather, father, and son. With Dan Smith Sr. taking a backseat to focus on other businesses, he looks to his 18-year old son Danny Jr., a hockey jock at high school who wants to be “the best fisherman in the world.” While Danny Jr. is eager to prove his worth, if he fails, it’s game over for the three generations of fishermen.

And while both crews of families acknowledge the risk – from dangerous and unpredictable weather to money wasted once quotas are hit – they’re devoted to their way of life and they wouldn’t trade it for the world. They’re ready to risk it all to bring home a fortune.

ALL ON THE LINE premieres on Discovery, on May 22nd at 9P ET.