What Do Fishers and Related Fishing Workers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

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. They also steer vessels and operate navigational instruments.

Other tasks include:

• 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.

We asked Fishers and Related Fishing Workers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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62% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 57% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Fishers and Related Fishing Workers interpret weather and vessel conditions to determine appropriate responses. They put fishing equipment into the water and anchor or tow equipment, according to the fishing method used.

A typical day for a Fisher and Related Fishing Worker will also include:

• Club or gaff large fish to enable hauling them into fishing vessel.
• Connect accessories such as floats, weights, flags, lights, or markers to nets, lines, or traps.
• Sort, pack, and store catch in holds with salt and ice.
• Steer vessels and operate navigational instruments.
• Wash decks, conveyors, knives, and other equipment, using brushes, detergents, and water.

We asked some Fishers and Related Fishing Workers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	48% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	87% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	26% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	49% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Fishers and Related Fishing Workers also monitor distribution of proceeds from sales of catches to ensure that crew members receive their prearranged portions. They may also sell catches by contacting and negotiating with buyers or by sending catches to fish auctions.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Fishers and Related Fishing Workers Load and unload vessel equipment and supplies, by hand or using hoisting equipment. They might also Transport fish to processing plants or to buyers.

In addition, they Oversee the purchase of supplies, gear, and equipment such as fuel, netting, and cables.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Maintain engines, fishing gear, and other on-board equipment and perform minor repairs.

To some Fishers and Related Fishing Workers, it is also their responsibility to Plan fishing operations, establishing the fish to be sought, the fishing location, the method of capture, and the duration of the trip.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Fisher and Related Fishing Worker, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/farming-fishing-and-forestry/fishers-and-related-fishing-workers.htm

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes453011.htm