Preparing the Future Workforce of Gulf Commercial Fishing

Gulf Commercial Fishing Program participants.

Texas Sea Grant is proud to collaborate with Florida Sea Grant and the Gulf of America Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance on a new initiative focused on the next generation of Gulf commercial fishermen. The Gulf Commercial Fisherman Program offers a unique, hands-on introduction to the industry for individuals eager to pursue a career on the water. Developed in response to a growing need for skilled workforce recruitment, this program represents an important step toward sustaining the Gulf’s commercial fishing fleet.

The need for new entrants is urgent. Many working fishermen are aging out of the profession while barriers to entry, such as high startup costs, regulatory complexity, and limited access to quality training, remain high. This program helps lower those barriers by providing not only knowledge, but a support system of mentors and industry partners.

Over an intensive week, selected participants learn directly from seasoned professionals about all aspects of commercial fishing, including regulations, safety, gear use, business planning, and environmental stewardship. The training combines classroom sessions, dockside demonstrations, and time at sea aboard working vessels to highlight both the challenges and opportunities in the Gulf commercial fishing industry.

The program launched in fall 2024 with its first session in Galveston, Texas, followed by a second training in spring 2025 in Madeira Beach, Florida. Both sessions welcomed motivated cohorts of future fishermen who connected with experienced mentors, explored various gear types, and gained insight from experts in business planning, safety, and seafood handling. Industry partners including vessel owners, working deckhands, restaurant staff, and seafood processors played a key role by offering real-world perspectives that grounded the training in the realities of commercial fishing.

Texas Sea Grant, in collaboration with regional partners like the Gulf of America Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance, and Sea Grant programs from neighboring states, views this pilot program as the foundation for a broader, long-term effort. Plans include expanding training to new Gulf Coast regions, developing additional resources and training materials, and building a lasting mentorship network to support participants well beyond the initial course.

Texas Sea Grant remains committed to developing a skilled, well-supported workforce capable of meeting the economic, environmental, and operational demands of today’s commercial fishing industry. With further funding and expanded partnerships, the Gulf Commercial Fisherman Program has the potential to transform the future for Gulf commercial fishermen.

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About Texas Sea Grant
Texas Sea Grant is a unique partnership that unites the resources of the federal government, the State of Texas and universities across the state to create knowledge, tools, products and services that benefit the economy, the environment and the citizens of Texas. It is administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is one of 34 university-based Sea Grant Programs around the country. Texas Sea Grant is a non-academic research center at Texas A&M University. The program’s mission is to improve the understanding, wise use and stewardship of Texas coastal and marine resources.