COMMERCIAL FISHER

Commercial fishers need to go where the fish are. Seasonal as well as year-round jobs are available in parts of Washington, Alaska, Florida, New England, Canada, Mexico, and Ireland—wherever there is port access to freshwater or saltwater fish and it is permissible to catch and sell seafood.

Commercial fishers catch fish and other marine life (such as lobsters and shrimp) for use as food, bait, or animal feed. They often fish hundreds of miles from shore in large boats that can hold tens of thousands of pounds of fish. Time away from their home port can last for several weeks or even months. Work on the ship is a cycle of strenuous activity followed by quiet lulls. Netting and hauling the fish in are exhausting activities that require great physical strength and endurance, but a period of rest is enjoyed when the ship sails to its home port or another fishing ground.

Most commercial fishing vessels are staffed by a crew that includes a captain, a first mate, a boatswain, and deckhands. A captain plans and supervises the entire fishing expedition. He or she draws up a budget and decides what fish will be pursued, where the crew will fish, how the fish will be caught, how long the trip will last, and how the catch will be sold upon return to port. The captain will also make sure the boat is in proper working order, buy the necessary supplies and equipment, monitor all weather information, and chart the ship's course using compasses, charts, and tables. A captain must have a thorough knowledge of navigation, boat handling skills, weather patterns, radio-telephone techniques, and the use of electronic gear. He or she must also be able to make good decisions quickly and calmly in emergencies, train and manage a crew with skill and tact, and ensure that fish are handled properly so that they can be safely eaten by consumers. Almost all captains are self-employed, and many own at least some share of their ship.

The first mate serves as the captain's assistant and operates the ship and directs the crew when the captain is off duty. The first mate also organizes and directs the actual fishing activity and sailing operations, such as gathering, preserving, storing, and unloading the catch and maintaining and repairing the ship. He or she must be able to perform all of the captain's duties as well as those of the deckhands should an emergency make his or her assistance necessary.

A boatswain acts as a supervisor of the deckhands, directing them in the performance of the ship's sailing and fishing operations. The boatswain also repairs fishing gear, equipment, and nets, if necessary. The deckhands are responsible for loading and unloading supplies and equipment; untying the lines that moor a ship to the dock; letting out and hauling in the nets; cleaning, preserving, and storing the catch; unloading the catch upon return; and keeping the decks clear and clean and the ship's engines and equipment running smoothly. Deckhands must be in good health, extremely coordinated and mechanically inclined, and very strong. Most commercial fishers begin their careers as deckhands.