Fishing Vessel Deckhands

(NOC 8441)

in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

This group of jobs is concerned with fishing support activities. Fishing vessel deckhands complete a variety of manual tasks on commercial fishing trips and maintain fishing vessels. They work for companies that operate commercial fishing vessels and by self-employed fishermen/women.

Job Outlook

Average

Read more

  • Estimate Weak growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 140 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

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.

Hiring for this occupation is done mostly via word-of-mouth and personal connections, which can make it difficult for newcomers to a community, or those who are newly interested in fishing, to secure employment. Hiring is also seasonal in nature, with the greatest demand for labour occurring shortly after the opening of a fishing area.

Hourly Pay

$15.60

Minimum

$21.00

Median

$45.46

Maximum

Annual Pay

$8,237

Minimum

$18,828

Median

$79,617

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

This group of jobs is concerned with fishing support activities. Fishing vessel deckhands complete a variety of manual tasks on commercial fishing trips and maintain fishing vessels. They work for companies that operate commercial fishing vessels and by self-employed fishermen/women.

Job duties

Fishing vessel deckhands:

  • Prepare nets, lines, and other fishing tackle, and operate fishing gear to catch fish and other marine life.
  • Clean, sort and pack fish in ice and stow catch in hold.
  • Repair nets, splice ropes and maintain fishing gear and other deck equipment.
  • Clean deck surfaces and fish hold.
  • Handle mooring lines during docking.
  • May steer vessels to and from fishing areas.
  • May prepare and cook meals for crew members.

Sample job titles

  • fishboat deckhand
  • fishing vessel crewperson
  • fishing vessel deckhand
  • trawler

Skills

  • You should enjoy working outdoors and being physically active. Good eyesight and health are important. You may be exposed to extreme weather conditions and varying climates. You must be alert, patient, and observant. Some jobs involve irregular or long hours and may be seasonal.

Job requirements

  • There are no specific educational requirements.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Fishing vessel deckhands require a commercial fishing licence.

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. 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. Trawlermen/women require at least one year of experience. Fishing vessel deckhands may become skippers upon acquiring an entry licence and a boat and may also move to watchkeeper or mate positions with additional training.

By the numbers

Quick look

2,040

employed in 2016

88.2%

employed full-time

2.2%

self employed

13.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
87%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
40.4

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?

39.1%

Cape Breton

$13,349 median annual income
34.6%

Southern

$55,521 median annual income
18.4%

North Shore

$13,624 median annual income
4.7%

Halifax

$17,482 median annual income
3.2%

Annapolis Valley

$50,844 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

100.0%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

What is the age of Employment?

22.0%

45-54

19.0%

25-34

19.0%

35-44

18.0%

15-24

15.0%

55-64

7.0%

65+

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

36.0%

Less than high school

$22,329 median annual income
30.6%

High school

$15,036 median annual income
17.2%

Trade Certification

$23,932 median annual income
13.5%

College Diploma

$22,026 median annual income
1.5%

Bachelor

$14,201 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

There is no information to display in this section

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

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