USCG Gulf Regional Fisheries Training Center - GRFTC

Another solid week of Gulf Living Marine Resources training in the books. This hands-on training prepares crews to maintain sustainable fisheries and safeguard protected species. Special shoutout to our NOAA Fisheries Service partners for their participation and vital role in this mission!

U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy

Welcome to the “TED Talk”!

Officially known as a Turtle Excluder Device - this critically important piece of gear (and legally required for Gulf of America/South Atlantic trawl fishing) ensures that shrimp go in the net and threatened/endangered sea turtles take the VIP exit. Everyone wins!

Unofficially, a TED can also mean:

🐢 Turtles Escape Daily
🚪 The Exit Door
🍤 Totally Excellent for Dinner (…the shrimp, not the turtles)

NOAA Fisheries Service
U.S. Coast Guard Heartland

Solid work, CGC YELLOWFIN!

🦐🐟You might prefer your Gulf seafood fried, grilled, or blackened. We aren't picky, as long as it comes from a healthy fishery!

This week, GRFTC delivered specialized law enforcement training to Boarding Officers from across the Gulf Coast. In close partnership with our Federal and State partners, the enforces the nation's fisheries laws and ensures the stewardship of our living marine resources.

Our at-sea law enforcement mission in the Gulf of America is vital to our nation's sovereignty, economic security, and safeguards living marine resources for future generations.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA Fisheries Service
U.S. Coast Guard Force Readiness Command
U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy
U.S. Coast Guard Heartland
U.S. Coast Guard Southeast

📷: PA3 McBryde

Congratulations to our honor graduate from class 0311, Petty Officer Cook! PO Cook’s selection as our top student was determined by his overall performance, demeanor, and engagement in the course during the week - BZ, shipmate!

The Coast Guard strives to deliver tailored, on-demand training and learning activities to promote proficiency. GRFTC partnered with FORCECOM to begin a series of learning initiatives aimed at maximizing the continuous growth of a mission ready total workforce. The outcome of this project focuses on producing an interactive and educational tour of a commercial fishing vessel that students can use to gain familiarity with industry practices and platforms.

GRFTC was thrilled to host Rear Admiral Randall and Command Master Chief Morales, our Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM) Commander and Command Senior Enlisted Leader, during a recent visit. Rear Admiral Randall and Master Chief Morales graciously devoted their time to discussing ways we can enhance the living marine resources training mission and the support service we provide to operations. We were also able to recognize two staff members, ME1 Gibson and BM1 Swendsen, for their outstanding dedication to GRFTC. BZ!