California Sea Grant awarded "Food from the Sea" Career Program Development Projects funding

NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program and Office of Sustainable Fisheries awarded approximately $900,000 of FY21 federal funds to support projects that will initiate “Food from the Sea'' career development programs. 

Eleven projects representing regions across the U.S. were selected through the funding opportunity. With these funds, Sea Grant programs and partners will work collaboratively with members of the fishing industry to identify training needs and develop updated and/or new resources and programming to address those needs. 

Projects range in size, scope, and design that are as diverse as the localized needs they aim to address. Each selected proposal received meritorious review through a competitive selection process. Read the full descriptions of selected projects. 

These efforts will also allow Sea Grant Programs, industries and communities to plan for
potential upcoming opportunities associated with the Young Fishermen's Development Act (YFDA), should any funds be appropriated to support the recently authorized program, and other initiatives that may provide training, education, outreach, and technical assistance to the U.S. seafood sector. 

California Sea Grant will use the funding to strengthen and enhance the current California Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Program and expand it to include aquaculture training.

"We are excited to be able to update our commercial fishing apprenticeship program and expand it to include aquaculture training," said Theresa Talley, California Sea Grant Extension Specialist and program lead. "Interests in sustainable and local sources of seafood and jobs are heightened right now with all the disruptions to the food system that the pandemic has caused. This opportunity to improve and expand our program is timely and will help ready the next generation of fishermen and aquafarmers." 

Learn more about the California Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Program in the video below.