TWILLINGATE, N.L. — In a province where the rhythm of life has long been set by tide and trap, a wave of younger fish harvesters is arriving just as older cohorts prepare to leave the decks. At 30, Lillian Saul is one of the newer captains in Newfoundland and Labrador’s fishery — and she represents a targeted strategy to secure the industry’s future.
Saul, who recently settled in Twillingate after a decade of working toward a commercial fish harvester’s role, says her life has been shaped by the sea. "
I've basically invested my entire adult life into fishing." Her path — from graduate studies to working toward permanent residency and finally running her own operation — underscores both the determination of new entrants and the gaps the sector is trying to fill.
Ageing workforce, urgent need
The province’s Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union estimates that more than 33 per cent of certified fish harvesters in its membership are aged 54 or older. That demographic reality means thousands of experienced workers are likely to leave the industry over the coming decade, creating an urgent need for succession and recruitment.
In response, the union and partner fishery organisations have launched the Fishing Industry New Entrants Initiative, a program that has received more than $1 million in provincial funding. The initiative aims to increase the fishery’s presence at career fairs, immigration offices and schools across the province, and encourage prospective harvesters — both local and newcomer — to consider fishing as a career.
Local incentives, national comparisons
For young harvesters such as Saul, comparison with other jurisdictions provided inspiration. Having observed the prevalence of young women captains in parts of Alaska, she said the example helped reshape her view of what was possible in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Not all parts of the province are the same. In rural and more remote coastal communities the fishery remains an attractive option for young people because it is often the primary local employer. Close to St. John’s, however, the industry competes with a broader array of urban jobs and educational opportunities — a labour-market reality that complicates recruitment.
Perception and public support
Local harvesters say public perception of the fishery has suffered in recent years, and that contributes to recruitment challenges. "
I don't think, still, people realize how big of an economic driver the fishery is,"said Chad Waterman, a 37-year-old crab harvester from Flatrock. He and others argue the industry’s economic role needs clearer recognition, especially when young people are weighing career choices.
- FFAW estimates more than 33% of certified harvesters in its membership are 54 or older.
- The Fishing Industry New Entrants Initiative is backed by over $1 million from the provincial government.
- The program will target career fairs, immigration offices and schools to recruit young and new harvesters.
Training, access and barriers
Accessibility remains a central hurdle. New entrants must navigate licensing, vessel access and capital costs, while also mastering the technical skills and regulatory knowledge required to operate safely and profitably. The new initiative emphasises outreach and awareness, but stakeholders say more connections to financing and training will be necessary to convert interest into long-term careers.
For communities that have seen families shaped by the fishery for generations, the infusion of younger captains is both a continuity and a change. Younger harvesters bring different expectations about work-life balance, technology use and business models; integrating those with existing shore-based services, processors and co-operatives will be crucial to building sustainable enterprises.
Economic stakes for coastal towns
The stakes are local and immediate. Where the fishery remains a primary employer, the retirement of experienced harvesters threatens household incomes, community services and the viability of shore-based businesses. Recruitment that fails to keep pace with retirements risks hollowing out coastal economies and accelerating outmigration.
Conversely, successful recruitment and retention can stabilise communities and support ancillary sectors — from marine services and processing to tourism. The provincial support for the new entrants initiative signals recognition that the fishery’s workforce dynamics are an economic and social priority for Newfoundland and Labrador.
As new captains take the wheel, the question facing the industry is not only how to attract people to the job, but how to support them once they arrive — through training, access to capital and community support — so that the next generation can weather economic storms and keep the province’s coastal economies afloat.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| FFAW members aged 54 or older | 33%+ |
| Provincial funding for New Entrants Initiative | More than $1 million |
The coming years will test whether policy, community will and the determination of new harvesters like Saul are enough to replenish a workforce that has sustained Newfoundland and Labrador for generations.
