Graying Fleets on the Great Lakes

Fishing quotas that change season-to-season, a shifting market, unpredictable weather, invasive species… Oh, and an average worker age of about 55. These are just a few of the challenges faced by Michigan and Wisconsin commercial fisheries, as identified by a 2022 survey conducted by Sea Grant outreach specialists. A total of 48 commercial and tribal fishermen responded, giving valuable insight into their demographics, priorities, and as-of-yet unmet needs.

The specialists conducting the survey were Sharon Moen, Dr. Lauren Jescovitch, and Dr. Titus Seilheimer. Since 2018 this team has been working together to develop programs to better understand and support the needs of producers on the Great Lakes.

It isn't easy work, and many find their way into the industry because it's what their family has done for generations.; these are the folks who tend to stay in the business for life. For others, the turnover rate is much higher, with most deckhands and processors only sticking around for 4-6 years.

Over the years, our local economies have changed and many young people from small fishing towns seek other opportunities. The lack of nearby affordable housing and seasonal tourism industries often make it harder to settle down long-term.

At the same time, the industry is vital to these small harbor towns. Over half of the Great Lakes catch feeds the local community (within 60 miles of the fishery). The rest is sold in the regional, national, and international markets. There are cultural impacts as well. Many consider the fisheries to be a part of the rich heritage of the Great Lakes.

Despite the long, backbreaking days and ever-changing weather, for the right person it can be the perfect fit.

To quote one of the survey respondents “It’s hard, cold, and hot work, with long hours and lots of sunrises and sunsets”. For commercial fishermen, each day brings a new challenge, and for those with a passion for the work, high rewards.

According to commercial fishermen on the Great Lakes, the top three challenges to recruiting and keeping workers are:

1. Competitive Wages
2. Working Conditions
3. Long and/or unpredictable hours

What the workers surveyed didn't seem too concerned about was an applicant's level of education or fisheries experience. When asked what kind of background the business looks for when hiring a new employee, one respondent replied "Breathing".

The understanding in this industry is that people learn best on the job, and anyone with a thick skin and a good work ethic is welcome. Of course the matter of picking the right people takes one of the fisherman's most precious resources: time.

To help alleviate this burden, and fill some of the wage gap, the Michigan-Wisconsin Sea Grant partnership is developing the Great Lakes Future Fishers Initiative Apprenticeship Program. With the support and input of several commercial fisheries across the two states, a menu of training modules and curriculum has been developed.

For several years, the local Sea Grant offices have been compiling literature and marketing materials from partners and similar programs. With resources, data, and the blessing of the fishermen behind them, the team now looks to securing funds... and prospective workers.

• The hours are long
• You may be called in on short notice
• It's physically demanding
• It's dirty
• It's cold
• It's hot
• Everyone is a little rough around the edges

No one is going to sugarcoat this work. It is not for everyone. Those who do well in the industry love the sense of freedom that comes with being on the open water and the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of their labor at the end of a long day.

Successful fishermen are able to think on their feet and problem-solve on the fly. They learn how to track fish, mend nets, and predict the weather.

These are people who learn by doing. They figure out their way around an engine, and can fix just about anything. It turns out that all of these skills transfer well into many other careers.

Most of the lifers understand that this isn't something most people dream of doing forever. Many deckhands and processors have other dreams for their futures, and that's fine.

The often-seasonal nature of the work can make it ideal for trade school and college students looking to spend the summer filling their pockets and padding their resumes.

Many of the trades are experiencing labor shortages, and the same is true for blue careers. Experience on and around fishing vessels opens doors to other kinds of work on the water.

It takes good communication and interpersonal skills to work in close quarters on fishing boats. Developing an insider knowledge of the challenges faced within the industry can give an edge to those interested in research and conservation.

For those who aren't interested in a life on the (inland) seas, there is always work to be found in the trades. Plus there's a sense of satisfaction in being able to fix things yourself.

For those who aren't yet sure if college is for them, this can be a chance to try out a career working with their hands. For students it's an opportunity to get to know the industry and develop good relations with producers. For people looking for a change, this is an opening to a world of possibilities.

The fishermen surveyed reported relying largely on word-of-mouth to find new hires. Some use job sites and social media to post jobs, but season after season there never seems to be enough help. Now is the time to cast a wider net.

With the fisheries' untapped potential for job skill development and career building, there are school and community partnerships waiting to happen.

Thanks to contributions from the  National Working Waterfront Network , progress has been made in developing the program's messaging and identification of potential partners over the last 6 months.

Using Department of Education and commercial fisheries data, high schools, trade programs and universities near active fisheries were identified in Michigan and Wisconsin. From there, schools with similar programs and partnerships were identified. The contact information of guidance counselors and career programs coordinators was compiled, and all of the data was ranked based on proximity to fisheries and emphasis on career programs.

Next came tailoring the messaging. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction maintains the Wisconsin Information System for Education (WISE). Here, curriculum information can be found for various grade levels. By identifying the key objectives in STEM and career education, the program can better communicate the alignment of the fisheries apprenticeship program with the goals of educators.

Having the messaging and lists of contacts is one thing, but building meaningful connections with people that lead to partnerships is something entirely different. That's why events like the Mi Fresh Fish Expo in Lansing, Michigan are so important.

The event was largely organized by Dr. Lauren Jescovitch and brought together many of Michigan's commercial fishermen and fish-related businesses on the state capitol's front lawn.

The purpose was to communicate the importance of supporting these vital industries to the public and to politicians, and with over 500 people in attendance, it's safe to say it was a hit.

Many of the fishermen stated their appreciation and astonishment at the turn out with one saying "This was a long time coming. I hope it's the first of many".

Politicians and their aids saw firsthand the importance of these industries to their voter base and learned more about the challenges they face. The general public met the people putting food on their plates while sampling tasty lake fish prepared by local chefs.

For the apprenticeship program in particular, it was a place to connect with fishermen about the program's progress, hear real-time feedback, and share targeted messaging with prospective young fishers.

The fishermen are ready to go. So ready, in fact, that the motto of the apprenticeship program could be "Can you start today?".

The need for deckhands and processors exists. The curriculum is set, and ready to be tailored to the specific needs of each interested fishery. The net has been cast for young workers interested in this apprenticeship program. The next major hurdle is securing the additional funding to begin training future fishermen in 2024.

If you would like to learn more from the program coordinators, please reach out to:

 Dr. Titus Seilheimer (WI point person)  

Dr. Lauren Jescovitch (MI point person)

If you have questions or comments about this particular story, please email  Emma Kraco