From the waterfronts of New England to the harbors of Alaska, fishing docks once hummed with anticipation. Young hopefuls would crowd the dock, eager to join a crew and learn the trade from seasoned captains.
Today, however, reveals a changing tide. Young faces are steadily disappearing, leaving captains like Henrique Franco, who has fished the North Atlantic for decades, in a difficult position.
“There’s a big difference today,” says Henrique. “Before, if a guy missed a trip, you had five or six guys ready to go. Right now, you don’t see that down the docks. They’re empty.
“If that doesn’t change very soon, we’ll have no fishermen.”
As veteran captains retire with fewer recruits to replace them, the industry faces more than a troubling labor shortage; it’s also losing the generations of valuable knowledge that keeps crews and livelihoods safe.
So, where are the aspiring young fishermen that the industry so desperately needs to start taking the wheel?
The graying of the fleet
Over the years, the demographic landscape of U.S. commercial fishing workers has shifted toward an alarming imbalance.
The number of fishers and owners aged 65 and older nearly doubled from 7.6% in 2016 to 13.5% in 2024. Meanwhile, those under the age of 30 account for only 8% of the workforce.
The result is a growing shortage of qualified captains nationwide, which is already taking its toll on New England’s working waterfronts.
According to a recent NOAA Fisheries report, New England’s commercial fisheries support nearly 290,000 jobs and generate more than $1.4 billion in annual revenue. The region also boasts the nation’s highest-value fishing port, New Bedford, MA (home of Canastra Fishing Co.), where 2023 landings alone were valued at approximately $363 million.
But the world-leading value of New England’s commercial fishing sector is only as stable as the hands that handle the nets. And Henrique knows there’s only one way to ensure that knowledge is properly passed down through the crew.
“I always have the experienced guys teach the new guys the right way,” he says. “But it takes time.”
As those experienced hands disappear from the deck, so does the knowledge that keeps crews one step ahead of challenges—and the catch at the highest quality.
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What’s keeping the next generation of fishermen away?
No single problem explains why fewer young people are pursuing commercial fishing careers, but there are several undeniable contributing factors.
Physical demands and safety perceptions
Commercial fishing has long been known as one of the most physically demanding jobs in the country. Long hours, rough weather, and the constant risks of working at sea can make the career appear daunting to younger generations.
Henrique explains, “It’s not easy. It’s hard enough working in a factory and putting in those hours. But in fishing, the ‘factory’ is moving, and you’re out there in the cold for four to 10 days at a time. Most new fishermen just quit.”
Competition from other industries
Young people growing up in coastal communities now have more career options than ever, offering stability without the inherent dangers that come with commercial fishing.
Industries such as tourism, technology, and healthcare attract people entering the workforce with steady incomes, predictable schedules, and benefits that commercial fishing rarely guarantees.
Cultural shifts away from trade careers
Over the past few decades, cultural expectations around work have also changed. Many schools emphasize college and professional careers, sometimes at the expense of traditional trades.
As a result, fewer young people see fishing as a viable long-term path, even in communities where it’s been a way of life for generations.
Regulatory complexity
The U.S. fishing industry is governed by more than 40 different laws and policies (e.g., the Magnuson‑Stevens Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, etc.). These federal, state, and regional regulations create the legal framework for everything from catch limits and habitat protection to bycatch and endangered species protections
These rules are designed to protect fish stocks and ensure long-term sustainability. But for someone just starting out, the complex regulations can make understanding how many trips they can take and what they can earn confusing.
High cost of permits and vessels
Commercial fishing permits can cost as much as $300,000, while a vessel can add another $75,000 to well over $1 million. Then you’ve got the cost of fuel, gear, maintenance, crew, insurance…
Of course, young fishermen don’t typically enter the industry at this level, but it’s a huge deterrent for those seeking a long-term career in fishing.
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Breaking into the fishing industry
For those who aren’t dissuaded from a life on the ocean waves, new pathways are emerging to help the next generation find their footing in the industry.
In 2021, Congress passed the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, which provides grants for essential on-ship training and professional mentorship.
Organizations across the country offer apprenticeship programs that help bring new workers into the industry, including:
- Sea Grant’s Young Fishermen’s Career Development
- Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
- Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association Crew Training Program
- National Future Fishermen Coalition
Beyond federal assistance, several institutions offer degrees in the fishing sector. Massachusetts Maritime Academy serves as a key training ground for much of the New England fishing fleet. Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) offers a Small Vessel Operations track popular with commercial fishermen, while SUNY Maritime College in New York offers a Marine Operations program for commercial work.
While these programs are helping rebuild the talent pipeline, the industry that new fishermen are entering looks very different from the one their predecessors joined decades ago.
How commercial fishing has evolved
Technology now plays a central role in how modern commercial fishing vessels operate.
Fleets like those operated by Canastra Fishing Co. rely on advanced sonar systems, digital catch tracking, and precision navigation tools that help crews locate fish efficiently while reducing unnecessary fuel use.
Safety has also improved alongside these technological advances. Today’s vessels carry modern life-saving equipment, conduct regular emergency drills, and place stronger emphasis on crew training and risk awareness.
Sustainability has become just as important as productivity. Responsible fishing practices, stock conservation, and environmental impact now shape how successful operations are planned for every trip.
Together, these advances are helping reshape commercial fishing into a profession that combines traditional seamanship with technical skill and environmental responsibility.
These changes are also helping redefine what it means to build a long-term career on the water.
But technology and regulations alone won’t determine the industry’s future. That responsibility will fall to the people willing to carry the trade forward.
The future of fishing depends on who comes next
For Canastra Fishing Co., preparing the next generation isn’t just an industry concern. It’s part of its story.
In the late 1970s, a young Raymond Canastra earned a spot aboard a New Bedford fishing vessel and soon rose to captain. Decades later, the expertise he developed at sea continues to shape how the company operates today.
Raymond’s daughter, Cassie Canastra Larsen, grew up learning the realities of the industry firsthand. Today, as CEO of Canastra Fishing Co., she focuses on strengthening the local fleet and creating stability for the fishermen who depend on it.
Under her leadership, the company has expanded its fleet, worked to create better market opportunities for fishermen, and focused on building a business that supports working waterfront families rather than replacing them.
“We want families to stay on the water,” explains Cassie. “Our goal is to support the fleet, strengthen the port, and make sure fishermen are rewarded for the work they do. We’re here to build something that lasts for the people who built this harbor.”
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At a time when fewer young people are entering the industry, a desire to invest in people, not just vessels, may determine whether fishing communities continue to thrive.
Building a sustainable fishing workforce
At Canastra Fishing Co., that commitment to the next generation doesn’t stop at leadership. It continues on the deck, where experience is shared one trip at a time.
As Henrique knows from decades on the water, sustaining the industry starts with the people willing to do the work. He believes success in fishing comes from passion for the trade, not just a paycheck.
He says, “To be a fisherman, you’ve got to love it. If you do this just for the money, your life will be miserable.”
For Henrique, that mindset started early.
“I started fishing with my father when I was 13 years old. Every summer growing up, I was out on the water with him. He was my captain.”
That experience still shapes how he mentors younger crew members today.
“I’m grateful I had him to teach me how to stay safe, how to work the nets. We still fish together. That’s what I tell the crew. When my father’s on the deck, learn from him. When everyone does, nobody gets hurt.”
For Canastra Fishing Co., building a sustainable workforce means more than filling positions. It means creating a culture where knowledge is passed down, younger fishermen learn from experienced crews, and safety remains part of everyday operations.
Because the future of fishing won’t be decided by quotas or markets alone. It will be decided by who is willing to step onto the deck and learn from those already there.
Proud to operate from the nation’s most valuable fishing port, Canastra Fishing Co. continues to invest in the people, knowledge, and traditions that keep America’s working waterfronts alive. Drop us a line to learn how our experienced crew sources directly from domestic waters.
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