Fishers and Related Fishing Workers

Steer vessels and operate navigational instruments.

Put fishing equipment into the water and anchor or tow equipment, according to the fishing method used.

Maintain engines, fishing gear, and other on-board equipment and perform minor repairs.

Sort, pack, and store catch in holds with salt and ice.

Remove catches from fishing equipment and measure them to ensure compliance with legal size.

Locate fish, using fish-finding equipment.

Return undesirable or illegal catches to the water.

Harvest marine life for human or animal consumption, using diving or dredging equipment, traps, barges, rods, reels, or tackle.

Pull and guide nets, traps, and lines onto vessels, by hand or using hoisting equipment.

Direct fishing operations, and supervise fishing crew members.

Hire qualified crew members, and assign their duties.

Signal other workers to move, hoist, and position loads.

Compute positions and plot courses on charts to navigate vessels, using instruments such as compasses, sextants, and charts.

Oversee the purchase of supplies, gear, and equipment such as fuel, netting, and cables.

Plan fishing operations, establishing the fish to be sought, the fishing location, the method of capture, and the duration of the trip.

Attach nets, slings, hooks, blades, or lifting devices to cables, booms, hoists, or dredges.

Stand lookout for schools of fish, and for steering and engine-room watches.

Transport fish to processing plants or to buyers.

Interpret weather and vessel conditions to determine appropriate responses.

Operate rowboats, dinghies, or skiffs to transport fishers, divers, or sponge hookers or to tow and position fishing equipment.

Sell catches by contacting and negotiating with buyers or by sending catches to fish auctions.

Monitor distribution of proceeds from sales of catches to ensure that crew members receive their prearranged portions.

Club or gaff large fish to enable hauling them into fishing vessel.

Wash decks, conveyors, knives, and other equipment, using brushes, detergents, and water.

Connect accessories such as floats, weights, flags, lights, or markers to nets, lines, or traps.

Record in logbooks specifics of fishing activities such as dates, harvest areas, yields, and weather and sea conditions.

Load and unload vessel equipment and supplies, by hand or using hoisting equipment.

Estimate costs of operations and plan fishing season budgets accordingly.

Share fishing expertise through activities such as writing for fishing magazines, hosting television shows, or testing and endorsing fishing equipment.

Participate in wildlife management, disease control, and research activities.