Fishermen/Women

National Occupational Classification (NOC): 83121

Fast Facts

  • Average Pay: N/A
  • Future Growth: N/A
  • Skill Level: N/A
  • Employment Size: N/A
  • Unemployment: N/A
  • Full-time Share: N/A

Sample Job Titles

  • Fisherman/woman
  • Fishing vessel skipper
  • Inshore fisherman/woman
  • Lobster fisherman/woman
  • Longliner fisherman/woman
  • Scallop dredger
  • Seiner fisherman/woman
  • Shellfish fisherman/woman
  • Trap boss - fishing


What do fishermen/women do?

Fishermen/women operate fishing vessels less than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life. They are usually self-employed owner-operators of fishing vessels.

Fishermen/women perform some or all of the following 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.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada

 

Fishermen/women work in the following subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador:

  • 114   Fishing, hunting and trapping
  • 311   Food manufacturing

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

Short and Long Term Occupational Projections

Short Term Projections for 2023-2025

The employment outlook will be moderate for fishermen/women in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2023-2025 period.

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

 

Long Term Projections for 2023-2032

Fishermen/women belong to the broader occupational group 8312 (Fishing vessel masters and fishermen/women). This group is forecast to be tightening (rating of 3.4 out of 4) over the next several years, meaning new labour supply will be required to meet anticipated job openings.

Source: Department of Finance, Occupation Projections (Summer 2023)

 

Number of Job Posting in 2023

During 2023, there was 1 public job posting for this occupation, with the following distribution:

Avalon:  0% Western: 100%
Eastern: 0% Labrador:  0%
Central:  0% NL-unspecified: 0%

Source: Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year).



Who works as fishermen/women in Newfoundland and Labrador?

During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 2,210 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 80% of those employed were Male+ and 20% of those employed were Female+.

Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:

15 to 24 25 to 54 55 to 64 65+
9% 57% 26% 9%

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

How much do fishermen/women make?

Annual Earnings

The median employment income for all fishermen/women in the reference year 2020 (3,345 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $18,400.

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

Hourly Earnings

Salary information for fishermen/women in Newfoundland and Labrador is as follows:

Low ($/hour) Median ($/hour) High ($/hour)
Newfoundland and Labrador $20.00 $40.00 $100.00

 

The following low, median, and high wages are for Canada:

Low ($/hour) Median ($/hour) High ($/hour)
$16.57 $25.00 $60.00

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

 

Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings (2023)

  • Fish Hatcheries

Source: Lightcast



What training is required?

  • 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.
  • Progression to master or mate on fishing vessels over 100 gross tonnes is possible with additional training, licensing and experience.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada

* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.