The Sustainable Fisheries Graduate Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has welcomed its first cohort of 14 students, with seven receiving fellowships from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), and a philanthropic organization. These students will collaborate with local communities and agencies on research projects aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries throughout the Pacific. Among the fellowship recipients, six are pursuing master’s degrees and one a doctoral degree, with students hailing from both Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland. For instance, Mackenzie Thielmann's research will identify nursery areas for juvenile fish along Oʻahu's coastlines to aid in the protection of fish populations. Another recipient, Kai Holdaway, will develop a computer model to predict shifts in the Hawaiʻi longline fishing fleet in response to changing ocean conditions and regulations. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of community support in advancing sustainable fisheries practices.