Fishers and Related Fishing Workers

Use nets, fishing rods, traps, or other equipment to catch and gather fish or other aquatic animals from rivers, lakes, or oceans, for human consumption or other uses. May haul game onto ship.

Median Annual Wage: $35,250

Education: Less than high school diploma (50%); High school diploma or equivalent (25%); Post-secondary certificate (10%)

Projected Growth: Decline (-3% or lower)

Related Job Titles: Captain; Deckhand; Commercial Fisherman; Clam Digger; Commercial Crabber; Menhaden Fishing Crew Member; Crew Member; Fisherman; Lobsterman; Commercial Fishing Vessel Operator

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Fishers and Related Fishing Workers.

More Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Careers

  • Put fishing equipment into the water and anchor or tow equipment, according to the fishing method used.
  • Maintain engines, fishing gear, and other on-board equipment and perform minor repairs.
  • Sort, pack, and store catch in holds with salt and ice.
  • Remove catches from fishing equipment and measure them to ensure compliance with legal size.
  • Locate fish, using fish-finding equipment.
  • Return undesirable or illegal catches to the water.
  • Signal other workers to move, hoist, and position loads.
  • Direct fishing operations, and supervise fishing crew members.
  • Pull and guide nets, traps, and lines onto vessels, by hand or using hoisting equipment.
  • Compute positions and plot courses on charts to navigate vessels, using instruments such as compasses, sextants, and charts.
  • Oversee the purchase of supplies, gear, and equipment such as fuel, netting, and cables.
  • Attach nets, slings, hooks, blades, or lifting devices to cables, booms, hoists, or dredges.
  • Transport fish to processing plants or to buyers.
  • Interpret weather and vessel conditions to determine appropriate responses.
  • Wash decks, conveyors, knives, and other equipment, using brushes, detergents, and water.
  • Connect accessories such as floats, weights, flags, lights, or markers to nets, lines, or traps.
  • Load and unload vessel equipment and supplies, by hand or using hoisting equipment.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Fishers and Related Fishing Workers.

  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Fishers and Related Fishing Workers.

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