COMMERCIAL FISHER

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, fishers and fishing vessel operators held about 38,000 jobs in 2006. About two out of three were self-employed. Most fishing takes place off the coasts, and the most coastal fishing takes place in Alaska, the Gulf Coast, Virginia, California, and New England. The highest total volume of fish are caught in Alaska, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. Many fishers are seasonal workers and positions are usually filled by people who work primarily in other occupations, such as teachers, or by students. The industry is getting smaller, mainly because pollution and excessive fishing in the past have depleted fish stocks. Job prospects for commercial fishers have been on the decline, but the U.S. Department of Labor expects that sportfishing boats will continue to provide some job opportunities.