{"id":33212,"date":"2026-04-06T14:34:40","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T18:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/?p=33212"},"modified":"2026-04-07T14:41:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T18:41:25","slug":"spring-2026-seafood-apprenticeships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/spring-2026-seafood-apprenticeships\/","title":{"rendered":"At the Intersection of Culture, Training, and History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

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Can apprenticeships help refortify a commercial seafood fleet that has relied on long-time veterans like this crabber? Photo by Daniel Pullen.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n
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The diminishing number of commercial fishers threatens the resilience of the nation\u2019s seafood industry \u2014 but apprenticeship programs offer a solution.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina\u2019s seafood is a key industry, providing over $300 million in economic impact across the state. However, commercial fishers are aging and shrinking in number as younger people explore careers outside the industry. This \u201cgraying of the fleet\u201d threatens the resilience of the nation\u2019s seafood industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cConversations with industry professionals in recent years have indicated there\u2019s a lack of reliable, competent, and consistent help, which threatens the viability of their seafood operations,\u201d says Sara Mirabilio, fisheries extension specialist with North Carolina Sea Grant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To address this concern, Mirabilio partnered last year with Sea Grant extension professionals in South Carolina and Georgia, as well as with Carteret Community College\u2019s Marine Trades program and the Alaska Marine Safety Education Association (AMSEA) to offer a unique program designed to prepare new recruits for the South Atlantic commercial seafood industry.  This program \u2014 the Commercial Fishing Academy \u2014 provided the kind of training necessary to excel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yardwork and gear repair are part of the job. Here, an apprentice loads crab pots. Credit: Keith Bruno.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFisheries stakeholders have indicated that field-based, hands-on learning alongside established industry mentors is essential to individuals aspiring to work in the commercial seafood sector,\u201d Mirabilio explains. This suggests \u201capprenticeships as a pathway to cultivate the necessary skillset.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While several commercial fishing apprenticeship programs exist in other parts of the country, no such programs exist in the South Atlantic Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the inaugural program, 13 participants completed 48 hours of classroom instruction, and 11 of these graduates each experienced 100 hours of industry apprenticeship. Course topics ranged from navigation and seamanship to maintenance of marine diesel and outboard engines, along with fish identification and the basics of fisheries management and regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shrimp and fishing boats docked in Raccoon Creek in Oriental. NC. Credit: NCSU Photos.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In addition to identified safety skills, other topics included liability, financial literacy, and business management. The partnership with AMSEA also provided each enrollee with over 10 hours of U.S. Coast Guard-approved marine safety training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe notion of just being a \u2018good fisherman\u2019 is not enough to remain successful in the industry anymore,\u201d says Mirabilio. \u201cDemonstrating sound business practices and being financially literate, along with possessing a mix of relevant technical skills, is essential to prosper in the industry these days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While training is key, career development is also an important aspect of supporting the next generation of people who make their living off the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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North Carolina Sea Grant\u2019s Sara Mirabilio (left) oversees a participant learning how to filet and safely handle seafood from Carteret Community College Culinary Arts Program staff. Credit: Bryan Fluech.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe apprenticeship opened up several opportunities in seafood, including part-time work,\u201d says one participant, \u201cand it helped me establish a good relationship with a large seafood buyer in my area.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of the 11 program graduates, four now work as full-time crew on a commercial fishing boat. Two graduates are working the water for supplemental income, with one acquiring a North Carolina Standard Commercial Fishing License (SCFL) and starting a seafood business. Two are in between crew contracts and searching for steady, full-time industry employment, and one graduate has pursued shellfish farming for supplemental income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis program has definitely helped me realize that the seafood industry is something that I really want to be part of,\u201d says another participant. \u201cI\u2019m excited to apply the things I learned while in the program,\u201d which provided \u201cpeople and resources to help me find a place where I fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sara Mirabilio (right) helps a student plot a course on a nautical chart. Credit: Bryan Fluech.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Academy benefited not only participants, but also participating businesses. \u201cI was blessed to be connected with good men who have become friends,\u201d says one host seafood business owner.  \u201cThese people have a long-term goal, and I will be able to help them achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He adds that \u201cthe academy gave the students the tools to venture out into the commercial fishing world. But without the apprenticeship, there would be no nuts and bolts on how, where, or when to try to catch fish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

North Carolina Sea Grant funded this program through NOAA\u2019s career development projects for young fishers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participating industry hosts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n