Commercial Fisherman

Oras ng trabaho

Commercial fishermen typically work full time, with hours dictated by tides, seasons, and fish behavior. Trips can last from a single day to several weeks offshore. Long hours are the norm—early mornings, late nights, and unpredictable breaks. Some fisheries operate year-round, while others are highly seasonal (such as Alaskan crab or salmon runs).

Mga Karaniwang Tungkulin

• Locate and catch target seafood using nets, lines, traps, or dredges.
• Operate and maintain boat engines, winches, electronic navigation, and safety equipment.
• Sort, clean, gut, and ice or process the catch on board for freshness.
• Ensure catch meets legal size, quota, and species regulations.
• Maintain and repair gear—nets, traps, hooks, refrigeration units, and deck machinery.
• Keep detailed records of catch volumes, locations, and operations.

Mga Karagdagang Pananagutan

• Attend industry safety training, navigation refresher courses, and licensing renewals.
• Work with inspectors, processors, or buyers to meet food safety and traceability requirements.
• Participate in scientific data collection for fishery management (tagging, logbooks, samples).
• Mentor new crew members in seamanship, safety, and sustainable practices.
• Stay updated on weather, fisheries closures, and regulatory changes.
• Manage logistics of unloading, selling, and transporting catch to processors or markets.
• Collaborate with coast guard, marine biologists, and fisheries officers.

A typical day starts well before dawn, prepping vessels and gear, checking weather reports, and plotting routes to promising fishing grounds. The crew works as a team—setting lines or nets, monitoring electronic gear, and managing winches and cranes. Work is physical and hands-on: hauling heavy nets, sorting fish, cleaning the deck, and keeping equipment running.

Breaks are short, often eaten standing up. After returning to port, there’s more work: unloading catch, cleaning the boat, prepping for the next trip, and handling paperwork for sales and regulations. During busy seasons, a good trip means quick turnaround and heading out again.

“The fish come in so thick, it's hard to justify sleeping when you can catch so much every hour that you're out there … Even during an ordinary summer, the men will often work for up to twenty hours a day.” — Corey Arnold, commercial fisherman in Bristol Bay, Alaska

Soft Skills

• Teamwork and Communication
• Problem-solving under pressure
• Perseverance and stamina
• Adaptability to fast-changing conditions
• Pamamahala ng stress
• Attention to safety and detail
• Paggawa ng desisyon
• Kakayahang mekanikal
• Reliability and work ethic

Teknikal na kasanayan

• Knowledge of fishing techniques and equipment
• Boat handling and navigation (including GPS and radar)
• Marine engine maintenance and repair
• Catch preservation and quality control
• Fisheries regulations and compliance
• Record-keeping for catch and sales
• First Aid and emergency response
• Weather assessment
• Sustainable fishing and bycatch reduction practices

• Inshore Fishermen: Work close to shore, often returning daily.
• Offshore/Deep-sea Fishermen: Spend days or weeks at sea.
• Shellfish Gatherers: Specialize in crabs, shrimp, oysters, or lobster.
• Specialized Types: Tuna longliners, scallop dredgers, salmon trollers, etc.

• Family-owned fishing boats
• Regional fishing cooperatives
• Seafood processing companies
• Large fishing fleets or corporations
• Independent owner-operators

Commercial fishing is demanding—expect long absences from home, physically tough conditions, and risk from bad weather or accidents. Income can be unpredictable, as it’s often tied to catch volume and market prices. The job also comes with pressure to fish sustainably as rules and quotas change.

The upside: strong sense of accomplishment, pride in feeding the world, and often, the freedom and excitement of life at sea!

Many fishermen grew up near the water, helping in family businesses, learning to operate boats at a young age, or drawn by the challenge of nature and the promise of a day’s hard work paying off. Others love fishing as a sport or adventure, or enjoy mechanical tinkering and outdoor survival.