A New Wave: The National Future Fishermen Coalition Launches in  Support of the Next Generation of U.S. Commercial Fishermen 

[May 22nd, 2025] – Today marks the official launch of the National Future  Fishermen Coalition (NFFC), a united effort dedicated to ensuring a strong, resilient,  and opportunity-rich future for America’s commercial fisheries. By investing in the next  generation, NFFC is working to secure a future where fishing remains a vital and  thriving part of our nation's coastal economies, food systems, and cultural heritage. 

As America’s working waterfronts face mounting challenges - ranging from rising  operational costs and burdensome regulations to reduced access to waterfront  infrastructure and increasing consolidation within the seafood supply chain—the need  for action has never been more urgent. "The graying of the fleet is not just a  nationwide issue, it is a global issue”, comments Andrea Tomlinson, Executive  Director of the New England Young Fishermen's Alliance (NEYFA). De-stigmatizing  our small- and medium-sized boat fishermen and women is the first step toward  educating our nation about our sustainable national seafood supply.” 

Echoing this urgency, Raymond Rowell, Permit Bank Director at the Cape Cod  Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance (CCCFA), noted, “Without investment in training  the next generation, it’s difficult to envision a future at all. In an industry hampered by  increasing regulations and razor thin margins, boat owners can’t afford to miss trips  because they lack crew members.” 

NFFC represents the first national coalition of its kind focused on addressing the  ‘graying of the fleet’ that threatens the future of commercial fishing. “This initiative  brings together a national body of individuals and organizations to strategically  tackle the generational shift happening in commercial fisheries,” said Bob Gill, a  respected independent fisheries expert and Steering Committee member of the NFFC.

View full press release here.