What Are the Duties of Fishermen?

by Jordan Meyers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can likely obtain a fishing job without a high school diploma and earn median pay of about $25,590 a year, based on 2010 wage statistics. Many fishing positions are seasonal, allowing you to pursue additional employment opportunities at other times of the year. This job might require you to spend weeks at a time away from home, however.

Basic Duties

Fishermen use a variety of equipment to catch fish. This can include nets of various sizes, fishing lines and traps. Many also operate machinery designed to hoist captured fish onto a boat. Often, this job involves maintaining machinery in good working order, troubleshooting and repairing equipment during fishing trips and keeping the fishing vessel clean. In addition, some fishing jobs involve diving into a body of water and catching fish with spears, while others require the use of rakes to collect kelp and other types of water-based vegetation.

Handling Fish

After catching fish, fishermen usually measure fish and release any that don't meet their jurisdiction's or captain's size requirements. Likewise, they examine fish for defects or signs of ill health, discarding any that don't meet expectations. They must also sort their catches, clean the fish and ensure that they don't spoil by storing them in refrigerated or ice-filled holds. Once the ship returns to port, fishermen typically unload the fish as well.

Operating a Fishing Vessel

Higher-ranking fishermen sometimes act as captains of a vessel, operating the boat and hiring, firing and training crew members. An individual with this job must supervise the crew and decide which types of fish to catch and where to go catch them. He also oversees the maintenance of the boat and the fishing equipment, ensuring that it stays in good shape. A captain also navigates the fishing vessel.


You can get a job as a fisherman without any training, as many positions offer on-the-job training. You can improve your chances of obtaining a job by enrolling in a fishery program, which can include instruction in fishery technology, navigation and seamanship, at a vocational school or a community college. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, these programs last for about two years. Choosing a program that provides hands-on practice opportunities might give you a leg up on other candidates. If you want to captain or operate a commercial fishing vessel that weighs more than 200 tons, you'll have to complete a Coast Guard approved training course and obtain a commercial fishing license. In addition, your state will likely require you to obtain a commercial fishing permit.

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