Workforce development was a central theme at one of the National Working Waterfront Network (NWWN) conference sessions this year in San Diego.
Industry leaders, community advocates, and fishermen gathered to discuss strategies for sustaining the next generation of commercial fishermen and maritime workers. Panelists discussed recruiting and retaining new entrants, providing proper training, and ensuring career resiliency in an ever-changing industry.
Jessica Hathaway, former editor of National Fisherman and now a public affairs consultant, moderated the discussion and opened with a pointed question: How do we attract people into the industry and take care of them once they’re in? Hathaway brought together Monique Coombs of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA), Kim Selkoe of the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, Imani Black of Minorities in Aquaculture, and Doreen Legget of the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance (CCCFA).
Workforce development challenges
From Cape Cod to California, panelists emphasized that recruiting new fishermen isn’t as simple as opening job listings. It requires tackling systemic issues, from economic barriers to cultural misconceptions about fishing careers.
Doreen Leggett highlighted the struggle on Cape Cod, where misconceptions persist that commercial fishing is a relic of the past. “People don’t realize that all 15 towns on the Cape still have a commercial fishing presence. If you add them all together, they contribute more to the state’s economy than Gloucester, which is known as a major fishing hub.”
Meanwhile, Kim Selkoe mentioned that California’s regulatory environment and lack of public awareness present additional challenges. “We’ve had to fight just to convince people that fisheries still happen,” she said. “It’s not a thing of the past. We’re still here, and it’s an important part of our economy.”
For Imani Black, whose organization supports minorities in aquaculture, the biggest challenge is visibility. “People ask me how I get people of color interested in fisheries or aquaculture,” she said. “The truth is, they’re already interested. The opportunities just haven’t been there to open that door.”
Building resilient careers
Beyond recruitment into the industry, the panelists stressed the importance of career resiliency by helping fishermen diversify their skill sets to adapt to industry changes.
Monique Coombs pointed to Maine’s apprenticeship programs for young lobstermen as a step in the right direction but also noted that career diversification is key. “We’re not trying to encourage fishermen to quit fishing. But having additional skills such as welding, small engine repair, and marine construction can alleviate stress and provide stability in a volatile industry.”
Coombes also mentioned the growing need for mental health support. “Stress is the number one threat to the industry,” she said. “We’re seeing cumulative stress- financial burdens, regulatory uncertainty, and inherent danger of fishing leading to burnout.” MCFA’s Fishermen’s Wellness Program aims to provide resources, but she stressed that much of the industry remains hesitant to openly discuss mental health.
Steaming ahead
The panelists agreed that a one-size-fits-all approach can’t solve workforce development. Community-specific training programs, partnerships with vocational schools, and policy changes are all parts of the equation.
Leggett shared a success story from the Cape, where a fishermen's training program teaches new entrants the skills they need and connects them with experienced captains. “One of our trainees started as a deckhand, then became a captain on a second boat his employer was able to purchase because of a permit leasing program. That’s what it takes- layered support across multiple areas.
The conversation made it clear that commercial fishing isn’t just about hauling traps or setting nets; it’s about navigating regulations, managing finances as a self-employed individual, and keeping an industry alive in the face of many changes oftentimes at once.
“Exposure is key,” Hathaway concluded. “People need to see the industry for what it is today, not just as a nostalgic piece of the past, but as a viable and essential career path.”
