Fishing Masters and Officers

(NOC 8261)

in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Fishing masters and officers manage and operate saltwater and freshwater fishing vessels greater than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life. They work for companies that operate commercial fishing vessels.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

  • Estimate 415 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1430 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$15.17

Minimum

$30.00

Median

$80.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$14,051

Minimum

$51,599

Median

$160,523

Maximum

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Hourly Pay

$13.00

Minimum

$18.00

Median

$30.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,009

Minimum

$23,520

Median

$87,170

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Fishing masters and officers manage and operate saltwater and freshwater fishing vessels greater than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life. They work for companies that operate commercial fishing vessels.

Job duties

Fishing masters and officers:

  • Command fishing vessels to catch fish and other marine life.
  • Determine areas for fishing, plot courses and compute navigational positions using compasses, charts, tables, and other aids.
  • Steer vessels and use navigational instruments and electronic fishing aids like echo sounders and chart plotters.
  • Direct fishing operations and supervise crew activities.
  • Record fishing progress, crew activities, weather, and sea conditions on ship's log.
  • Select and train vessel crews.

Sample job titles

  • fishing master
  • fishing vessel captain
  • fishing vessel deck officer
  • fishing vessel master
  • fishing vessel mate
  • fishing vessel navigation officer

Skills

  • You need good eyesight and health. Physical strength may be necessary. You may be exposed to extreme weather conditions and varying climates. You must also be willing to travel for long periods at a time. To work as an officer, you should be self-disciplined and have strong leadership abilities.

Job requirements

  • Some high school education is usually required.
  • A Fishing Master's Certificate is required.
  • A commercial fishing licence is required.
  • Completion of Transport Canada examinations is required to advance from Fishing Master Class IV through Class I. Training programs are provided in provincial training centres.
  • Progression to merchant or government vessel officer positions (which require a Marine Officer Certificate) is possible with additional training and experience.

Other considerations

  • Work in these jobs is seasonal with employment peaking in the summer months and most workers in these jobs fish for only part of each year. When fishing, most work for more than 50 hours per week. An individual's earnings will depend upon a number of factors like the type of boat and equipment used, the species sought, the allotted quota, and the market price for the catch. One to two years of experience as a fishing vessel deckhand is required. Captains require one year of service as officer in charge of the watch.

By the numbers

Quick look

1,100

employed in 2016

91.8%

employed full-time

42.5%

self employed

4.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
95.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
51.1

median age

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

14,665

employed in 2016

78.0%

employed full-time

20.0%

self employed

15.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
84.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.6

median age

Where will I likely work?

56.4%

Southern

$64,861 median annual income
21.4%

Cape Breton

$41,018 median annual income
10.9%

North Shore

$25,747 median annual income
7.7%

Halifax

$64,415 median annual income
3.6%

Annapolis Valley

$98,431 median annual income

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

95.9%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

4.1%

Manufacturing

What is the age of Employment?

31.0%

45-54

22.0%

55-64

19.0%

35-44

13.0%

65+

12.0%

25-34

3.0%

15-24

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

20.7%

45-54

19.8%

15-24

19.2%

55-64

16.2%

35-44

14.8%

25-34

Top levels of education

36.1%

Less than high school

$48,732 median annual income
22.8%

Trade Certification

$59,047 median annual income
22.4%

High school

$59,713 median annual income
17.8%

College Diploma

$53,834 median annual income

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

35.7%

Less than high school

$23,463 median annual income
30.8%

High school

$19,301 median annual income
13.7%

College Diploma

$29,551 median annual income
13.4%

Trade Certification

$31,535 median annual income
4.4%

Bachelor

$17,956 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Nautical Science/Merchant Marine Officer

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs prepare students to serve as captains, executive officers, engineers and ranking mates on commercially licensed inland, coastal and ocean-going vessels. They include courses in maritime traditions and law, maritime policy, economics and management of commercial marine operations, basic naval architecture and engineering, shipboard power systems engineering, crew supervision, and administrative procedures.

Institutions providing this program

Cape Breton University

Sydney, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

Regulations

Fishing Master

Not Provincially Regulated: This job may be regulated by a federal regulatory body.

Regulating body:
Transport Canada - Marine Safety Services
Dartmouth, NS

Contacts

Maritime Fishermen's Union
St. Peter's Bay, PE
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Licensing Service Centre
Dartmouth, NS
Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council
Yarmouth, NS
Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Halifax, NS

Additional resources