Maine Delegation Announces More Than $2 Million to Train the Next Generation of Fishermen and Women

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced that two commercial fishing associations have been awarded a combined $2,067,434 in grant funding to support training and workforce development for the next generation of Maine fishermen and women. The grants were awarded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Young Fishermen's Development Program.

“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. “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.”

“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. The Young Fishermen’s Development Act, which was identified as a priority by the Fishing Communities Coalition, provides much needed resources to invest in our next generation and we are pleased to be able to deploy funds to created educational tools to advance fishermen wellness,” said Ben Martens, Executive Director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “Thank you Senator Collins, Senator King, Representative Pingree, and Representative Golden who co-sponsored this important legislation and who have continued to lead in ensuring it is annually funded.”

“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 very authentic maritime and marine science learning to support future maritime careers, including fishing and science - skills that directly translate into the workforce here in Maine, and elsewhere,” said Alexa M. Dayton, Ph.D., Executive Director of Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries. “The future of lobstering and maritime careers in Maine is bright, and this program is helping to keep kids in school to complete their education, and providing mentorship to help them put it all together for the long run. The great news is, we have demand for the program from teachers, students, families and that's a signal that we're still going strong with a vibrant fisheries economy in Maine.”

The funding is allocated as follows:

• Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association - $1,771,092 to establish an online knowledge hub targeted toward young fishermen and women that will include educational training content focused on career development and caring for your physical and mental wellbeing as part of the commercial fishing industry.

• Eastern Maine Skippers Program - $296,342 to provide targeted career development opportunities for young fishers. The program will serve eight rural Maine coastal schools and train 80 high school students and 16 post-graduates annually through workshops, vessel-based activities and mentorship.

NOAA’s Young Fishermen’s Development Program was established by the Young Fishermen's Development Act, legislation that the entire Maine Delegation helped lead to final passage in 2020. 

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