Photo: Trav Williams, Broken Banjo Photography
Sea Grant Funds 11 “Food from the Sea” Career Development Projects
MIT Sea Grant’s Young Fishermen’s Training project and 10 other Sea Grant-led projects received funding.
NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program and Office of Sustainable Fisheries awarded approximately $900,000 of FY21 federal funds to support 11 projects that will initiate “Food from the Sea” career development programs. With these funds, Sea Grant Programs and partners will work collaboratively with members of the fishing industry to identify training needs and develop resources and programming to address those needs.
These efforts will also allow Sea Grant Programs, industries and communities to plan for potential upcoming opportunities associated with the Young Fishermen’s Development Act (YFDA).
MIT Sea Grant Project
Young Fishermen’s Training Framework: A Future for Cape Cod Maritime Traditions
MIT Sea Grant and Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance will scope and develop a training program framework that will recruit, train, retain, and support young fishermen in New England’s commercial fishing industry, to include: place-based curriculum covering seamanship, navigation, electronics, gear, vessel operations, safety, basic fishing skills/knowledge, business planning, transition and growth, and sustainable commercial fishing practices rooted in the community’s heritage of wild fisheries while also accommodating the growing aquaculture and charter industries; definition of clear industry entry points and a standard process to connect captains with competent aspiring fishermen; incorporation of existing fishermen and local fishing industry service businesses, local knowledge, and established training resources into the training of young fishermen; and strategic mechanisms to retain and advance diverse young fishermen into the commercial fishing industry with the long-term goal of economic growth for fishing communities.
