Back in October, Maine’s fishing future received a significant boost when U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, alongside Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden, announced over $2 million in grant funding for workforce development.

The funding, awarded through NOAA’s Young Fishermen’s Development Program (YFDP), is directed toward two local fishing organizations dedicated to training the next generation of Maine’s commercial fishermen and women.

The Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA) will receive $1,771,092 to develop an online knowledge hub packed with educational content for young fishermen and women. The resources will focus on career development, industry training, and wellness, helping new entrants to the industry navigate the work and the challenges of physical and mental health on the water.

In addition, $296,342 will go to the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (MCCF) Eastern Maine Skippers Program to enhance career development opportunities for Maine’s youth. This program reaches eight rural coastal schools and trains around 80 high school students and 16 post-graduates annually through workshops, hands-on vessel activities, and mentorship opportunities.

“Maine is known around the world for our proud fishing heritage thanks to the generations of hardworking men and women who have sustained it,” said Collins, King, Pingree, and Golden in a joint statement. “These investments in youth workforce development will help ensure that young Mainers entering the commercial fishing sector have the skills and support they need to succeed, preserving the strength of this vital industry now and into the future.”

Ben Martens, executive director of MCFA, expressed gratitude for the grant, which stems from the Young Fishermen’s Development Act. “MCFA’s mission of advocating for sustainable fisheries and vibrant fishing communities is focused on doing this work with the goal of building a brighter future for the next generation of fishermen and fishing businesses in Maine. This funding provides much-needed resources to create educational tools that advance fishermen wellness.”

Dr. Alexa M. Dayton, executive director of MCCF, emphasized the importance of these initiatives in keeping young people engaged with maritime careers. “Thanks to YFDA support, MCCF's Eastern Maine Skippers Program will be able to continue to meet our next generation where they are and provide them with authentic maritime and marine science learning to support future maritime careers, including fishing and science.”

YFDA, which made this funding possible, was a bipartisan effort led by Maine’s Congressional Delegation and passed into law in 2020. Since then, it has become a cornerstone for building a resilient, educated, and skilled workforce within Maine’s fisheries. With these investments, Maine’s fishing heritage remains not only preserved but strengthened for future generations, ensuring that the state’s fisheries continue to thrive.