June 16, 2025 — Across the U.S. coasts, various organizations offer training programs and apprenticeships designed to help young people secure jobs in the commercial fishing industry.
These have largely operated independently and out of touch with each other, but the launch of the National Future Fishermen’s Coalition (NFFC) aims to remedy that disconnect by bringing the disparate programs to one website.
“At NFFC, we’re all about collaboration,” says the organization’s coordinator, Maité Duquela. “That starts on the docks and stretches across the country.”
The NFFC has outlined its goals: Empowering young fishermen, strengthening industry networks, combating false narratives, celebrating the legacy of fishing, and championing domestic seafood. Now it has to determine how to achieve them.