Fishing

If reading Old Man and the Sea awakened your adventuring spirit then why not consider a career in fishing; a profession with a history and pride that is both intriguing and legendary. Catching fish is not solely a way of earning livelihood but is a way of life.

Fishing careers can take the route of either fishing from a vessel or fish farming. Fishermen and women work on boats ranging from single-handed vessels (which are unusual these days) to floating factories. Fish farmers use modern methods and technologies to breed and harvest many different kinds of fish and shellfish. Over 15,000 people are employed in the Irish seafood industry and seafood is one of Ireland’s premier exports.

A fishing career is by no means plain sailing; there is plenty of hard, physical work involved. The numerous tragedies of 2007 and 2008 brought the inherent dangers of the industry into sharp focus and emphasized the unpredictability of the sea.

This frailty is furthered by the fact that fishing is almost totally reliant of weather conditions; additionally the imposition of EU fish quota restrictions has adversely affected industry workers and employers adding to the capricious nature of the business.

Despite these shortcomings, fishing is a good career choice in many respects. The Irish Government and the EU have continually expressed their commitment to the industry, with schemes to promote conditions and equipment on fishing vessels and in shore-based facilities. If you have a real interest in fish, and are prepared for the occasional hardships involved in the profession, then a seat at the captain’s table might be for you.

Education

Training for fishing careers is run by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the state agency for the development of the fishing industry. BIM runs a number of courses, including a Certificate in Commercial Fishing and a Certificate in Aquaculture. Both are validated by FETAC. BIM courses are taught in the National Fisheries College in Greencastle, Co. Donegal or in the Regional Fisheries Centre in Castletownbere, Co. Cork.

As the BIM courses are not part of the CAO system, there are no points required and suitable students are chosen for course places after an interview. Applicants will have usually passed their Leaving Cert or National Vocational Certificate Level 1. Students must show enthusiasm for the job, and work experience in fishing or aquaculture will improve your chances considerably.

The Commercial Fishing Certificate lasts for six months and gives students comprehensive training in subjects such as fishing vessel operations, boat handling, net mending, basic engineering and sea safety skills, and also involves practical experience aboard a fishing vessel.

The Aquaculture Certificate also takes six months to complete. It prepares students for a career in fish farming. Subjects include principles of aquaculture production and harvesting, farm layout and equipment, grading of finfish and shellfish, and environmental and quality standards.

People interested in fish-related careers can also apply for Marine Biology and Marine Science courses through the CAO system.

Options After Qualification

BIM certificates are usually the minimum requirements for entry into the fishing industry. It is then your responsibility to increase your knowledge and skills as your career develops, by taking further BIM courses and gaining consistent practical experience.

Fishermen and women generally start work as deckhands on fishing vessels after qualification, and receive more responsibility as they gain knowledge and experience. It is also usual for people to work their way up in a fish-farming career. Many of those involved in fishing and aquaculture have the ultimate ambition of running their own business – usually a boat or a fish farm.

The Work

Fishermen/women perform many tasks and they depend largely on the type and size of the boat upon which they are employed. Typical duties would be loading and repairing fishing nets, catching, sorting and gutting fish, and keeping the boat and machinery clean and in good working order. Bigger fishing vessels often have very specialised and high-tech equipment that the crew is expected to use responsibly.

Skippers lead the fishing vessel crew and are responsible for planning voyages, navigation, the operation and maintenance of equipment, the size and landing of the catch, and the safety and management of the vessel and crew. They must also be familiar with international regulations, and try to ensure that each fishing trip makes a profit.

Fish farming and aquaculture is now a very scientific business, which makes use of advanced technology. Fish can be kept in large pens or cages in the sea, or in specially built or adapted ponds, cages or tanks. Duties include feeding fish by hand, monitoring the health of the fish, maintaining water quality and conditions, harvesting the fish, and marketing and selling the final products. Farm managers can be involved in supervising workers, upgrading equipment and facilities, and meeting environmental standards. Fish farmers can also be involved in research and tourism activities.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment

Fishing is a traditional and well-respected profession that has the benefit of facing daily challenges: physically as well as mentally. People with an affinity for the sea and nature can get real satisfaction from the challenges of a fishing career; it suits people who are physically fit, have an enthusiasm for fish and the sea, like working in a team, and don’t mind getting wet!

It is important to bear in mind that it is an option that’s suited to a specific type of person. For example, those with a propensity for homesickness would not last long as most trips would involve long periods away from home. Modern fishing boats can have comfortable living quarters with PlayStations and DVD players, but conditions vary from vessel to vessel.

Fish farming takes place a lot closer to dry land; however, the work can be similarly hard and time-consuming, and fish farms are usually based in remote locations.

The Money

Fish farm managers start on a salary of approximately €23,000 per year, which can rise to more than €38,000 with experience. If you are working as a fisherman/woman, your pay will vary according to the size of the catch, as crewmembers are paid on a share basis.

The Jargon

Backwaters: a shallow-water area off a river

CFP: The Common Fisheries Policy is the fisheries policy of the European Union. It sets quotas for which member states are allowed to catch what amounts of each type of fish, as well as encouraging the fishing industry by various market interventions.

Aquaculture: Another name for fish farming, which means the cultivation of the natural produce of water (such as fish, shellfish, algae and other aquatic plants)

Quota: The amount of fish that a vessel is allowed to catch within a certain time limit. Quotas ensure a certain number of fish remain in the sea to breed, so that fish stocks are protected

Job Titles

Fisherman/woman
Fish Farmer
Skipper
Deck Hand
Marine Scientist

Further Resources

Bord Iascaigh Mhara
P.O. Box 12
Crofton Road
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 214 4100
Web: www.bim.ie
Email: info@bim.ie 

Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources
29-31 Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 678 2000
Web: www.dcmnr.gov.ie
Email: info@dcmnr.gov.ie 

The Central Fisheries Board
Unit 4, Swords Business Campus
Balheary Road
Swords
Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 8842 600
Web: www.cfb.ie
Email: info@cfb.ie 

The Irish Skipper
Web: www.irishskipper.net
Email: skippereditor@iol.ie