Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
Career Snapshot
Fishing is frequently said to as the world's most perilous job. Commercial fishing boats can be trawlers, like the one pictured above, which move a massive net through the water, or longliners, which trail hook lines for kilometres. Potters, or lobster boats; gillnetters; purse seiners; and even hook and liners, which capture their fish one at a time with fishing poles, are examples of other vessels.
Fishermen may venture out alone for a few hours or with huge groups of up to ten people for days at a time. It is sometimes ideal to begin on a small boat to gain a feel for working with the weather and open seas, as well as to discover the behaviours of various fish species.
As crew members advance to mate and captain positions, they study a wide range of skills such as gear setup and repair, engine and equipment operation and maintenance, navigation, fish sorting and processing, and catch marketing. Captains and owners must also be well-versed in the complex and ever-changing regulations that adapt to seasonal movements and abundance levels for various species of fish.
As fishermen and the government collaborate to manage fish populations at sustainable levels, limited quotas for most fisheries will be allocated to fishermen who have a track record of catching specific species. As the public's hunger for seafood grows, fishermen who stay in the industry and help protect stocks will be rewarded with the privilege to harvest the last food source caught in the wild.
Characteristics
Activities
Areas of Study
Degrees
Key Abilities
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Arm-Hand Steadiness
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Control Precision
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Extent Flexibility
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Finger Dexterity
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Manual Dexterity
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Multilimb Coordination
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Reaction Time
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Static Strength
Colleges
Top Skills