Commercial Fishers

At a Glance

Sell fish to buyers soon after catch
Boat crew includes captain, first mate, boatswain, and deckhands
Work outdoors
May be away overnight or up to a few months at a time
May work rotating shifts
Train on the job
May need a license
Some work other jobs during winter

Career summary

Commercial fishers catch ocean fish and other marine life using nets, hooks, and traps.

Some commercial fishers may be called aquaculturists.

#From 4328 Commercial Fishers

# review 3/25/19 lh

The duties of commercial fishers differ depending on what they are trying to catch. In general, fishers:

Prepare nets, lines, or traps
Bait hooks, cages, or pots
Haul equipment
Sort their catch
Sell their catch
Clean and maintain boats and equipment
Plan and prepare for their next fishing trip

Fishers connect floats, weights, and flags to nets, lines, or traps. They also bait hooks, cages, or pots. Fishers may have favorite fishing spots that they return to often.

When they are ready to fish, they put the equipment in the water and anchor or tow it. After a period of time, fishers haul in equipment. They may attach nets to lifting devices to get them into the boat. This usually requires a second worker. One worker attaches the net and the second worker operates the lifting devices. Workers communicate by shouting or using hand signals.

Once the catch is on board, fishers sort their catch. They may measure some fish to make sure they meet the size requirement. Fish that are too small and other unwanted marine life are thrown back. Commercial fishers clean the fish and put them in the hold with salt and ice to keep them cold. They wash the deck and the equipment used to clean the fish. Commercial fishers sell their catch. This requires negotiating with buyers.

Commercial fishers must maintain their boats and equipment. They stock the ship with supplies such as fuel, food, netting, and bait. Fishers also check the weather forecast to be sure it will be safe to fish.

Commercial fishing vessels gather fish hundreds of miles from shore. These large boats require a crew that includes a captain, a first mate, sometimes a second mate, a boatswain, and deckhands. The deckhands carry out the sailing and fishing operations. The rest of the crew plan and oversee the fishing operation.

Some full-time and many part-time fishers work on small boats in relatively shallow waters and often in sight of land. In these cases, navigation and communication needs are not as important. Crews are small. They usually only have one or two people who work together on all aspects of the fishing. Although most fishers are involved in commercial fishing, some captains and deckhands are primarily employed in sport or recreational fishing.

Related careers

This career is part of the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to commercial fishers.

Plan fishing trip, select fishing area, and plot course.
Monitor sea conditions.
Select and purchase fuel, food, netting, bait, and cable.
Stand lookout for schools of fish. Stand steering and engine-room watches.
Connect accessories, such as floats, weights, flags, lights, or markers, to nets, lines, or traps.
Put fishing equipment into water. Anchor or tow equipment according to method of fishing.
Attach nets to lifting devices to bring them onto the boat.
Signal other workers to move, hoist, and position loads.
Pull and guide nets, traps, and lines onto vessel, by hand or using hoists.
Remove catch from fishing equipment. Measure fish to make sure they are big enough to be kept.
Sort and clean marine life. Return unwanted catch to sea.
Place catch in containers and stow in hold with salt and ice.
Negotiate with buyers for sale of catch.
Wash deck, conveyors, knives, and other equipment, using brush, detergent, and water.
Lubricate, adjust, and make minor repairs to engines and fishing equipment.
Record date, harvest area, and yield in logbook.

Common work activities

Commercial fishers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Handle and move objects
Perform activities that use the whole body
Control machines and processes
Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Get information needed to do the job
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Make decisions and solve problems

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, commercial fishers:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a low level of job-required social interaction. However, they have little privacy while confined aboard ship.
Communicate with others mostly by face-to-face discussions.
Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of others.
Are responsible for the work done by others.
Occasionally are placed in conflict situations in which others may be rude or angry.
Work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

Work outside most of the time. They occasionally work inside the deckhouse or other sheltered areas of the boat.
Work in varying weather conditions.
Regularly wear protective or safety attire, such as gloves and foul-weather gear.
May work physically near other workers.
Are sometimes exposed to whole body vibration.
Occasionally must get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces.
Sometimes must work in very bright or very dim lighting conditions.
Are exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels on a daily basis.
Are occasionally exposed to hazardous equipment, such as winches, fishing gear, and hoists.
Are occasionally exposed to contaminants such as diesel fumes and solvents.
Are occasionally exposed to hazardous situations that produce cuts or minor burns. Hazards depend on the type of fishing, area, and time of year.

Work performance

Must be sure that all details of the job are performed and everything is done. Duties left undone can result in the loss of expensive gear or danger to crew members.
Must be exact or highly accurate in performing the job. Keeping undersized fish can result in fines.
Repeat the same physical activities.
Often must make on-the-spot decisions that affect coworkers and their company.
Are able to determine most of their daily tasks and goals without talking to a supervisor first. They often receive a set of instructions and then implement them over several days.
Work in a stressful atmosphere.
Must meet weekly and monthly deadlines.
Often must match the pace of work to the speed of equipment.

Hours/travel

May be at sea overnight or for several months at a time.
May travel from a few miles off shore to thousands of miles from their home port.
May work rotating shifts. Crews of fishing boats stand lookout watches. Watches vary in length depending on the employer. Some are six hours on watch and six hours off.
May work long hours while netting and hauling the catch aboard.

Physical demands

Commercial fishers frequently:

Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
Repeat the same movements.
Stand for long periods of time.
Bend or twist their body.
Keep or regain their balance.

It is important for commercial fishers to be able to:

Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
Determine the distance between objects.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Understand the speech of another person.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for commercial fishers to be able to:

Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
See objects in very bright or glaring light.
Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
Move arms and legs quickly.
While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
Determine from which direction a sound came.
See objects in very low light.

Skills and abilities

Commercial fishers need to:

Communicate

Understand spoken information.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

Develop rules that group items in various ways.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.

Work with things

Operate and control equipment.
Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a commercial fisher, you typically need to:

complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

A small number of fishers learn their skills by attending school. A few two-year colleges offer programs in commercial fishing. In these programs you study seamanship, vessel operations, marine safety, and navigation. You also learn about vessel repair and maintenance, first aid, and fishing gear technology. These programs offer extensive hands-on experience.

Experienced fishers also attend short-term workshops offered by postsecondary schools. These programs teach you how to use electronic navigation and communication equipment. You also learn about the latest improvements in fishing gear.

Commercial fishers who plan to operate a large fishing vessel must complete a Coast Guard-approved training program.

On-the-job training

Almost all commercial fishers receive informal training on the job from experienced workers. On the job, you learn to:

use fishing equipment;
mend nets;
operate fishing vessels; and
navigate.

Training varies by employer and the skills you already have. In general, training lasts up to one year.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Diesel Mechanics and Repair
Marine Science
Natural Resources Management
Physical Education
Safety and First Aid

Many commercial fishers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

Accounting
Entrepreneurship
Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer workers who have experience. They require workers to have skills in net mending, rope and cable splicing, cooking, welding, and repairing. Employers may prefer people who can repair diesel engines or other equipment. Employers also may prefer to hire deckhands who have completed a maritime training program.

Employers also look for applicants who are dependable and drug-free. They also look for workers who can get along with others on the small areas on a ship. In addition, employers look for workers who do not suffer from motion sickness and are willing to work long hours.

Tips

Some opportunities exist for people who seek summer employment. Workers who can cook, perform deckhand duties, and navigate are preferred. Knowing someone who owns a boat is helpful.

Licensing/certification

Commercial fishers must be licensed by the State. Fees vary depending on the species of fish, area fished, and the type of boat and gear.

For information on licensing, contact:

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife
License Division (external link)
600 Capitol Way North
Olympia, WA 98501
360.902.2464

Independent operators may also be required to have state and local government business licenses. Some fishers may be licensed for more than one type of marine life. Some fishers may lease the boat and license. The major fishing areas are Puget Sound, Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, and along the Columbia River. Dragline fishers usually fish 20 to 25 miles off the Washington coast. Many boats from Puget Sound fish in Alaska and California as well as Washington.

#Checked licensing info 3/8/10, cj. Checked licensing & adjusted fee range 2/29/12 cj. Looks okay 5/7/13 lh & 2/27/14 cj. no change 2/27/17 lh, 2/19/18 cj.

Captains and mates on larger fishing vessels of at least 200 gross tons must be licensed. Captains of sport fishing boats used for charter, regardless of size, also must be licensed. Crew members on certain fish processing vessels may need a merchant mariner's document. These documents and licenses are issued by the US Coast Guard to individuals who meet health, physical, and academic requirements. For more information, contact:

United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center (external link)

For information about the type of license required to fish in a particular area, contact:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (external link)

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

Fishers and Related Fishing Workers

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

Pay varies with the worker's duties and experience as well as the type of operation. Pay also varies with the size of the boat and the amount and value of the catch. Wages also vary by season. In general, wages are lowest in the winter, when the weather is bad and fishers go out less often. Some fishers have other jobs during the winter.

The cost of operating the ship, repairing and maintaining the equipment, and feeding the crew is subtracted from the sale of the catch. The remaining money is divided as shares among the crew members. Generally, the ship's owner (usually its captain) receives half of the net proceeds. This amount covers any profit, as well as ship maintenance and repair. Crew shares are generally between five and 12 percent.

Commercial fishers who are self-employed must provide their own health insurance and retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

Some commercial licenses such as those for Dungeness Crab, Ocean Pink Shrimp, Salmon, Herring, and other food fish are not being issued by Washington State. Existing licenses may be transferred. Restrictions have been placed on salmon fishing due to a sharp decline in West Coast Coho and Chinook runs. Overall, jobs for commercial fishers in the state are expected to decline.

#Still moratorium on above seafood as of 4/9/08. Also article on dramatic decline in West Coast fish stocks/runs per Business Examiner, May 26, 2008, cj. Still no new licenses issued for the fish, etc. we mention above as of 3/8/10,cj. Some mods to statement 3/16/11 lh. Checked info 2/29/12, cj. Same this year. May be some fishing adjustments to lower columbia gill net fishing too. Lh. Moratorium still in place for what we site above as of 2/27/14, 3/28/16 cj. 3/25/19 lh

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	4,873	-18.4%	16.1%	254
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	110	9.1%	13.4%	13
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	37	16.2%	8.6%	5
Benton and Franklin Counties	30	13.3%	15.0%	3
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	271	-11.4%	11.9%	19
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	1,429	-19.2%	14.1%	70
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	227	-7.0%	14.6%	19
King County	2,297	-22.8%	19.6%	92
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	90	13.3%	13.8%	12
Pierce County	105	-6.7%	15.2%	9
Snohomish County	253	-27.7%	12.4%	8
Spokane County	17	-17.6%	13.9%	1

National employment

About 57% of all commercial fishers are self-employed. Most of the rest work for commercial fishing companies.

Some commercial fishers are involved in sport fishing activities. Jobs for commercial fishers are found in all coastal states as well as those that border the Great Lakes.

Major employers:

Commercial fishing companies
Sport fishing companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining. In order to replenish fisheries, the government has set more limits on the numbers and types of fish that can be caught.

Despite the predicted decline in jobs, openings will occur. Many fishers will leave the occupation because of the strenuous, hazardous nature of the job. Others will leave because of the lack of steady, year-round income. Most job openings will arise from the need to replace workers who retire or leave the occupation. Sport fishing boats will continue to provide some job opportunities.

Other resources

American Fisheries Society
425 Barlow Place, Suite 110
Bethesda, MD 20814-2144
301.897.8616

North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners' Association
1900 West Emerson, Suite 101
Seattle, WA 98119
206.285.3383

Northwest Fisheries Association
6523 California Avenue SW, #314
Seattle, WA 98136
206.789.6197

Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations
Northwest Regional Office
PO Box 11170
Eugene, OR 97440-3370
541.689.2000

Pacific Fishery Management Council
7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101
Portland, OR 97220
866.806.7204
503.820.2280

Profiles in Ocean Careers

Seaweb Aquaculture Clearing House

Washington Business Week
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Career path

Realistic (Technical)

O*Net occupation

Fishers and Related Fishing Workers (45-3011.00)

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 1 - Little or no preparation needed. No previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.