The San Diego region's commercial fishing industry is facing a challenging future, with a recent apprentice program aimed at revitalizing the sector showing mixed results. The program, initiated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 2020, offers a comprehensive curriculum covering fishing, navigation, engine repair, and business skills. Despite its efforts, the program's impact on the industry remains uncertain. One graduate, Peter Brownell, who transitioned from a desk job to fishing, highlights the economic challenges faced by commercial fishermen. The industry's decline is attributed to globalization, with higher wages and stricter regulations in the U.S. making it cost-prohibitive to compete with fish caught in other countries. This has led to a significant drop in wages for U.S. fishing captains and their crews, with a deckhand in San Diego earning between $15,000 and $50,000 annually. The apprentice program's success is evident in the fact that six out of eleven graduates are still actively fishing, but the industry's struggle persists. The program's effectiveness is further complicated by the reluctance of some captains to mentor apprentices, indicating a need for broader industry support and mentorship to address the sector's challenges.
