83121 – Fishermen/women
Lead statement
Fishermen/women operate fishing vessels less than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life.
Main duties
- Operate fishing vessel to pursue and catch fish and other marine life
- Select area for fishing, plot courses and compute navigational positions using compasses and charts or electronic fishing aids
- Steer vessel and operate navigational instruments
- Operate fishing gear, direct fishing operation and supervise fishing crew members
- Maintain engine, fishing gear and other on-board equipment
- Record fishing activities, weather and sea conditions
- Estimate costs of operations and plan budget for each fishing season
- Establish fish marketing plan and keep records of all financial transactions
- May transport fish to processing plants or fish buyers.
Employment requirements
- Several years of experience as fishing vessel crew member or helper are usually required.
- Marine Emergency Duties Certificate is required by Transport Canada.
- A valid Fishing Vessel Operator Certificate is required.
- A commercial fishing licence is required.
- Licences are required for each species of fish pursued.
- Trade certification for fish harvesters is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Example job titles
beam trawl fisherman/woman · clam dredge operator · clam fisherman/woman · crab fisherman/woman · Danish seine fisherman/woman · fisherman/woman · fishing vessel skipper · gill net fisherman/woman · handliner fisherman/woman · harpoon fisherman/woman · hoop net fisherman/woman · pound net fisherman/woman · inshore fisherman/woman · line fisherman/woman · lobster fisherman/woman · longliner fisherman/woman · otter trawl fisherman/woman · pot fisherman/woman · prawn fisherman/woman · purse seine fisherman/woman · scallop dredger · seaweed dragger · seaweed harvesting machine operator · seiner fisherman/woman · shellfish fisherman/woman · shellfish harvester operator · shore fisherman/woman · gillnetter skipper · swordfish fisherman/woman · trap boss - fishing · troller fisherman/woman · weir fisherman/woman · longline fisherman/woman · trap fisherman/woman
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $18.10 | $27.77 | $60.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 | $40.00 | $100.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $19.77 | $30.00 | $60.00 |
| New Brunswick | $17.14 | $22.00 | $50.00 |
| Quebec | $17.50 | $22.88 | $33.60 |
| Manitoba | $20.00 | $30.00 | $100.00 |
| British Columbia | $20.00 | $38.84 | $50.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.