Purpose the state of maines economy depends on fisheries and maritime industries, a deeply rooted cultural heritage that continues today

This $370,523 Project Grant award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417) supports the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries' (MCCF) Eastern Maine Skippers Program (EMSP). The EMSP aims to provide career development opportunities in commercial fisheries and increase the number of skilled individuals entering maritime professions, addressing recruitment and retirement challenges in Maine's fishing industry.

Over a 2-year period, the EMSP will partner with 8 rural Maine coastal community high schools to deliver 100 hours of training per year to 80 students on seamanship, navigation, vessel maintenance, sustainable fishing practices, and other maritime skills. The program also includes mentoring and career placement support to help retain students in school and expand participation of underrepresented groups in the fisheries sector. This project supports the growth of Maine's coastal economies, preserves local culture and heritage, and addresses current workforce development needs in the state's fishing communities.

The gulf of maine lobster industry employs over 6,500 active harvesters, plus crew and business office support, with a jobs impact multiplier estimated at several times this figure. The maine wild capture lobster fishery contributes significant economic value to U.S. East coast fisheries as the second most valuable fishery in the nation, peak landings in 2021 were at 110 million pounds in landings with an EX-vessel value of $743 million. The gulf of maine fishery is a remarkable example of CO-management, and still over the past three decades the fleet has observed a notable graying of the fleet. At the same time, maines small scale aquaculture sector has emerged rapidly and seafood production and maritime profession opportunities LIE ahead in capture and culture fisheries for the next generation. The primary objective of the eastern maine skippers program (emsp) is to provide career development opportunities in commercial fisheries and increase the number of skilled individuals that are able and encouraged to enter maritime professions, addressing the current recruitment and retirement challenges this industry faces. In particular, the emsp program is particularly suited to address each of the barriers to entry and training needs as outlined in the maine sea grant published needs assessment report. Looking ahead, we see massive disruption along the coast of maine given the current trajectory of new regulations and climate impacts, but the fishing outlook and career opportunities remain positive in the vibrant gulf of maine coastal ecosystem. Training needs for current and next generation fishermen must include fisheries science, policy, business planning, flexibility, transferable skills, and safety-at-sea. Activities to be performed emsp delivers trainings that includes programs and workshops as well as coordinating services for rural area public high schools to deliver specifically identified curriculum for 15 to 18-year olds including: seamanship, navigation, electronics, and safety-at-sea; vessel and engine care, maintenance, and repair; sustainable fishing practices; and other training needs as identified by the community. Emsp staff will convene and partner with fishing advisors and teaching communities, refine annual plans for training curriculum, and offer coordinating services for area high schools implementation over the academic calendar. The program annually serves 8 rural maine coastal community schools, each with 8 high school student participants, plus 2-post graduates per school area, for a total of 80 students per year. Training delivery format includes 100-hours of training workshops, vessel-based activities, mentoring and career placement support for students. Expected outcomes the emsp delivery-model, which partners with fishing community public high schools and area vocational programs, provides access to the training necessary for aspiring commercial fishermen within the context of their public education and serves to retain these students in school as well. The model also broadens the participation of underrepresented groups in fisheries and contributes to a diverse sustainable community by lowering the barriers to entry. Over a 2-year period, the investment on behalf of yfda will contribute to mccf and school staff capacity to coordinate and deliver training, which will educate and graduate 160 students with core skills to enter maritime careers. Intended beneficiaries emsp supports growth of local coastal economies, while preserving local culture and heritage foodways and addressing the current recruitment and retirement challenges faced by local fishing communities. This proposal directly addresses the priorities of the national sea grant office notice of funding in support of the priorities of the young fishermans development act.