People in this profession work on fishing boats that catch fish and other marine life. They work for companies, for others who are self-employed, or they may own and operate their own fishing vessels.
An important part of this job is to prepare nets, lines and other fishing tackle, and operate the fishing gear needed to catch marine life. You clean, sort and pack fish in ice and store it in the hold. You repair nets, splice ropes and maintain fishing gear and other deck equipment. Other responsibilities include cleaning the deck surfaces and the fish hold, and handling mooring lines during docking. You may also prepare and cook meals for crew members.
If you are the skipper, you decide where your boat will fish and plot a course to get there using navigational instruments. You direct fishing operations and supervise deckhands. You also record all fishing activities, as well as the weather and sea conditions. A key task is to estimate the costs of operations and plan the budget for each fishing season. You establish a plan for marketing the catch and keep records of all financial transactions. You may transport fish to processing plants for fish buyers. On the larger boats, the skippers have a crew to help them; on the smaller boats, the skippers may do everything themselves.
The working conditions in the fishing industry can be quite rough. Crew quarters on most fishing vessels are cramped, and you need physical stamina to work the fishing lines and traps for many hours a day.
As a skipper, you have the added responsibility of making enough money to support your crew, your own family, and of ensuring that your boat is always in good repair.
This job will appeal to you if you enjoy physically demanding work on the open water in all types of weather. You have to be prepared to travel and spend time away from home. If you are a member of the crew, you should be able to follow directions quickly and accurately. To do well, you need to be interested in working with details, processes, machines, and techniques.
Like any independent entrepreneur, skippers need to be self-starters. In this position you need leadership ability, good communication skills and an interest in the workings of the fishing industry. You need to be decisive in the face of extreme conditions and able to handle stress. You also need some mathematical skills, good visual perception and the ability to work with your hands.
Traditionally, there have been no specific educational or training requirements for those who want to fish professionally. The industry, however, is becoming increasingly sophisticated. The best way to get into it is to work on a fishing boat for a year or two. If you find that you are interested in pursuing this career further, there are all sorts of courses you can take in the off season to develop your skills.