Becoming a Fisherman
Are you thinking of becoming a fisherman? Find out what training courses you need and a bit more about the different types of fishing you can do....
HOURS AND PAY:
It is important to remember that the hours and pay of a fisherman are set by the weather, the tide, and the season. You could be fishing for two weeks straight and then not be able to go out to sea for a month!
There are no set hours on a fishing boat because of this.
Most boats operate on a "share" system where the crew get a % of the sale of the catch. This means the more you catch the more you get paid- which is good when you can get out to sea but bad for periods of bad weather.
Fishermen are often counted as being self-employed which means you don't get any benefits such as sickness pay.
It is also important to remember that the work doesn't stop when the boat lands- there is lots of work to be carried on onshore such as mending gear!
Fishing is a very rewarding job and is always interesting- each day is different and you never know what you might find!
There are several steps to becoming a fisherman:
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Find out what type of fishing you are most interested in- you can click on the images on the right to learn about the different types of fishing happening in Orkney.
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Sign up for the mandatory training courses with the Orkney College (click here to find out more)
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Sign up for Sea Fish's safety course (click here to find out more)
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If you want to sell your catch you will need a commercial fishing licence. Make sure your licence is suitable for your area, vessel, and target species. Click here to contact your local Marine Scotland Fishery Office
