The South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium’s Commercial Seafood Apprenticeship Program (CSAP) is accepting applications through February 13, 2026. CSAP will offer one month of paid job training in McClellanville, S.C., from May 4-29, 2026, that provides the knowledge and skills needed to start a career in commercial fishing or mariculture.
As part of the program, apprentices will be AMSEA Safety Drill Conductor certified, CPR and First Aid certified, and will complete over 120 hours of classroom and on-the-job training in safety, seamanship and navigation; boat and gear operation and maintenance; fisheries science, management, and engagement; and seafood business operations.
Visit https://www.scseagrant.org/sc-commercial-seafood-apprenticeship-program/ to learn more about CSAP and apply to be considered for the 2026 program.
CSAP is funded by the NOAA National Sea Grant Office and the USDA Rural Business Development Grant Program. CSAP is designed in partnership with Clemson University and offered by the Consortium in collaboration with the Town of McClellanville, McClellanville Community Foundation, and commercial fishing operations and mariculture growers across South Carolina.
About the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium generates and provides science-based information on issues and opportunities to improve the social and economic well-being of coastal citizens while ensuring the optimal use and conservation of marine and coastal natural resources. The Consortium is a member of the nationwide network of 34 Sea Grant Programs, which are part of the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program, U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information about the Consortium, visit www.scseagrant.org.
