Tackling the Graying of the Fleet

Fishing has been woven into the fabric of coastal communities throughout history. For hundreds of years, people have relied upon the resources that were bountiful in the Gulf of Mexico, and over time, people built family businesses around commercial fishing and seafood production. Today, commercial fishing in the U.S. provides sustainable seafood to consumers across the world. We are rebuilding and protecting our fisheries not just for the fishermen and consumers of today, but for future generations as well. This is why it's important to us to cultivate a strong base of young fishermen to carry on the legacy of today's fishery leaders.

While commercial fishing is an economic driver in the Gulf of Mexico, there are obstacles and challenges. Commercial fishermen are aging (40% of commercial fishermen are over 55) , and there is a shortage of young fishermen to take over from the current generation. Because of the high-risk nature of commercial fishing and need for large upfront investment, finding the capital to start a fishing business can be challenging. Banks may be hesitant to grant loans to new commercial fishermen. Additionally, the regulatory landscape is complex, and the skill set required to be successful is diverse (gear and vessel maintenance, navigation, safety-at-sea, business planning, among others). Due to these challenges, the Shareholders’ Alliance is working to build a strong cohort of young, replacement fishermen who will take the reins and are dedicated to conservation, accountability, and sustainability.

How We Support Next Generation Fishermen

Gulf Commercial Fisherman Program

The Shareholders' Alliance, in partnership with Texas Sea Grant and Florida Sea Grant, and leaders in the fishing industry, launched the Gulf Commercial Fisherman Program (GCFP) in 2024. This new initiative is designed to recruit and train the next generation of commercial deckhands in the Gulf of Mexico, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this vital industry.

GCFP Website

Advocate for funding to develop vocational and training programs.

The Shareholders’ Alliance, along with like-minded small boat commercial fishing groups in the Fishing Communities Coalition, support the Young Fishermen's Development Act, which became law in 2021 and creates a $2 million grant program for training initiatives tailored to young and next generation fishermen.

The Young Fishermen's Development Act

Provide access to red snapper allocation.

The Reef Fish Quota Bank is the only program of its kind in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a source of red snapper allocation for next generation fishermen who are committed to high standards of accountability and conservation.

The Reef Fish Quota Bank

Support young fishermen involved in the management process.

We regularly bring young fishermen to Washington, D.C. and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meetings to provide their first-hand experiences to elected representatives and fishery managers. We also encourage fishermen to attend the Marine Resource Education Program (MREP), a multi-day workshop focused on educating fishermen in fishery-science and the regulatory process.

About MREP

Promote financial assistance and loan programs for commercial fishermen.

Access to capital to start or grow a fishing business is a challenge for next generation fishermen. The Shareholders’ Alliance is engaging with private financial institutions to increase the likelihood that they will grant loans to commercial fishermen. We also support National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fishery Finance Program as a valuable resource for fishermen.

About the Fishery Finance Program