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Version:
NOC 2006 Version 1.0

8261 – Fishing Masters and Officers

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 are employed by establishments engaged in operating commercial fishing vessels.

Profile

Index of titles Example job titles

  • Bo'sun, fishing vessel
  • Boatswain, fishing vessel
  • Captain, factory freezer trawler
  • Captain, fishing vessel
  • Captain, offshore fishing vessel
  • Deck officer, fishing vessel
  • Factory freezer trawler captain
  • First mate, fishing vessel
  • Fishing master
  • Fishing vessel bo'sun
  • Fishing vessel boatswain
  • Fishing vessel captain
  • Fishing vessel master
  • Fishing vessel mate
  • Fishing vessel navigation officer
  • Fishing vessel second mate
  • Master, fishing vessel
  • Mate, fishing vessel
  • Navigation officer, fishing vessel
  • Second mate, fishing vessel
  • Trawler captain
  • Captain, fishing vessel
  • Captain, offshore fishing vessel
  • Deck officer, fishing vessel
  • First mate, fishing vessel
  • Fishing master
  • Master, fishing vessel
  • Mate, fishing vessel
  • Trawler captain

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Fishing masters and officers perform some or all of the following duties:
    • Command fishing vessel to catch fish and other marine life
    • Determine areas for fishing, plot courses and compute navigational positions using compass, charts, tables and other aids
    • Steer vessels and operate navigational instruments and electronic fishing aids such as colour and paper sounders
    • 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.

Employment requirements

  • Some secondary school education is usually required.
  • 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.
  • A Fishing Master's Certificate is required for all occupations in this unit group.
  • A commercial fishing licence is required.

Additional information

  • 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.

Exclusions

Breakdown summary

Broad occupational category
8 – Occupations Unique to Primary Industry
Skill level
B – Occupations usually require college education or apprenticeship training.
Major group
82 – Skilled Occupations in Primary Industry
Minor group
826 – Fishing Vessel Masters and Skippers and Fishermen/women
Version
NOC 2006 Version 1.0