CSAP’s graduating class of 2024, from left to right: Patricia Ann Cope, Bekah Bennett, Garret Kestory, Jocelyn Juliano (Living Marine Resources Program Specialist), Angela Treptow (CSAP Coordinator), Blake Godsey, and Shane Brackett. Photo by Hailey Murph
South Carolina’s coastal waters are swimming with opportunity, and the S.C. Commercial Seafood Apprenticeship Program (CSAP) is at the helm of a movement to cultivate the next generation of watermen and women.
Now preparing for its second session in 2025, the program offers a transformative month-long journey into the heart of commercial fishing and mariculture. Hailey Murphy’s article on the program back in July captures the spirit of CSAP’s inaugural session, as apprentices ventured into the salt marshes surrounding McClellanville, S.C.
“Our skiff picks up speed on the Intracoastal Waterway, accelerating out of view of the docks... Spartina alterniflora, or smooth cordgrass, stretches into the horizon,” she wrote. Participants, including six fortunate apprentices selected from a pool of 59 applicants, embarked on a scenic and skill-packed journey led by seasoned captains like Jeff Spahr, a Charleston Oyster Company owner and McClellanville oysterman of 21 years.
Murphy describes how apprentices honed essential commercial fishing skills over two weeks of rigorous classroom and hands-on training, earning certifications in marine navigation, small engine repair, CPR, First Aid, U.S. Coast Guard drill conducting, and more. With recreation fishing licenses in hand, they stepped into the world of wild oyster harvesting, guided by mentors who embody the industry’s traditions and innovation.
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, in partnership with Clemson Extension and McClellanville’s community organizations, anchors the program in the region’s rich heritage. Classes are held in McClellanville’s historic middle school and at local docks, where participants gain practical experience shrimping, crabbing, and farming oysters and clams.
CSAP’s second session, scheduled for May 5–30, 2025, promises another in-depth immersion into South Carolina’s seafood industry. The program builds on its inaugural success and is designed to inspire future generations of watermen and women.
Applications are open until early Dec. 2024, and spots are limited. Those ready to join this rewarding adventure are encouraged to act quickly. For more information, visit the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium website or contact Angela Treptow at [email protected].
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Carli is a Content Specialist for National Fisherman. She comes from a fourth-generation fishing family off the coast of Maine. Her background consists of growing her own business within the marine community. She resides on one of the islands off the coast of Maine while also supporting the lobster community she grew up in.
