Commercial fish farming is a large industry that provides much of the country's seafood and also helps to regulate populations of specific species of fish. But in order to work with the bulk fish industry, one must be trained and licensed to work at sea. Training often begins with the basic knowledge of commercial fishing vessels, then proceeds to licensing and additional educational opportunities at sea and on land.

You can obtain commercial fishing education and training through a variety of resources, including commercial fishing companies. Commercial fisheries will provide you with opportunities such as:

1. Training courses that provide the skills to work with commercial fish companies.

2. Seminars that provide additional educational opportunities.

3. Required training courses for licensing to work on commercial fishing vessels.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take safety training courses for U.S. and Alaska commercial fishing

The most important training for those that want to work on a commercial vessel is safety. Not only do fishermen have to learn about the proper use of equipment on board, but they also need safety training to know what to do in an emergency. Many organizations for commercial fishing offer some type of safety training.

I recommend: The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association provides safety training courses and events for those who work in and out of Alaskan waters. North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owner's Association provides courses in basic and advanced safety training for working on fishing vessels.

Obtain the proper licensing to work with a commercial fishing company

Licensing is important for commercial fishing because it helps the national and state governments to track the growth or depletion of species in the water. Licensing is also essential to have the proper training to control and work on any type of commercial vessel.

I recommend: For specific vessels, the United States Coast Guard requires mariner licensing for deck and engeineer officers on fishing vessels in U.S. waters. Many states will also have specific guidelines for commercial fishing, such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These organizations provide licensing to fish for different species.

Attend seminars that provide educational opportunities for commercial fishing or fish farming

For commercial fishers that are already licensed and trained to work on a vessel, seminars throughout the industry are important to attend. These sessions can provide fishers with information on the latest technology, best practices, and changing restrictions on the fishing of certain species.

I recommend: The United States Trout Farmers Association provides many events throughout the years to learn about the industry and new innovations for trout fishing. The National Shellfisheries Association provides annual meetings that cover many educational topics for the shellfisheries industry. The Deep Sea Fishermen's Union of the Pacific hosts a series of training classes on ship safety, engine repair and more skills, in Washington state.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to work for bulk fish providers but not on the vessel, you can find many resources that can teach the skills needed for land operations.

Commercial fishing offers a lucrative career for people seeking adventure on the water. Whether you're starting your own commercial fishing business or joining an existing business, you need the right equipment and licensing for the job. Those who don't want to sail the open waters, but still want to take advantage of the commercial fish market, can specialize in commercial fish farming.

You can also order a variety of fish and other aquatic cuisine from bulk fish providers. Whichever form of commercial fishing suits your business needs, remember these pointers.

1. You must get the proper licensing for yourself and your employees.

2. A commercial fish farm can do more than provide food. Fish farms can operate fee-based fishing, stock pet stores and specialize in fish bait production.

3. Commercial fishing businesses are lucrative, but they require dedication and hard work.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find suppliers that specialize in large commercial fishing companies

Commercial fishing supplies, such as fishing vessels, nets, trawls, hooks, lines and dredges, are the life force of commercial fishery companies. Suppliers that specialize in commercial fishing can help you with recommendations and resources for your business.

I recommend: AtHearn Marine Agency, Inc. are brokers for large commercial fishing boats, commercial fishing businesses and a variety of permits. MarineWaypoints.com has a list of commercial fishing suppliers and equipment.

Get advice and consultations from commercial fish farming professionals

There are companies available that can help you make the most of your fish farm. They provide consultations for your business plans, water quality, farm design and much more. Utilizing these services can increase your long-term profits and visibility in the commercial fish farming business.

I recommend: Confer with AquaSol, Inc., which utilizes a group of aquaculture professionals to help with all your business needs. Fisheries Technology Associates, Inc. also helps build custom solutions for your fish farming business.

Locate a commercial fishing job in a high need area

Alaska has one of the most booming commercial fishing economies anywhere. There are a variety of jobs offered with Alaska commercial fishing companies, and if you're looking to start your fishing career, then consider Alaska as your jumping off point.

I recommend: Check out CommercialFishingAlaska.com for not only jobs, but commercial fishing supplies, too. Find jobs and background information on the commercial fishing industry in Alaska at the State of Alaska website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If buying wholesale fish for your business, make sure you ask how the fish is harvested. Many food service clients are aware of the inhumane or unsafe ways of farming or catching fish, and many will avoid sellers who don't know the history of the fish harvesting.

Commercial fishing is a major economic driver in coastal states, especially those on the Pacific ocean. Commercial fishing is also a source of major contention for environmental groups that feel it is detrimental to the environment over the long term.

No matter how you're involved with commercial fishing and how you feel about the related environmental issues, having a basic understanding of commercial fishing vocabulary will help you understand issues you may encounter at work or in the media.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purse seining

Purse seining is a method that commercial fishermen use of capturing entire schools of pelagic fish. Pelagic fish live in the ocean away from land, but also off the ocean bottom.

I recommend: The Gulf of Maine Aquarium explains how purse seining is done and details the role of a "bug boat" in creating and closing the net purse.

Dredge fishing

Dredge fishing, which is a popular commercial fishing method, employs the use of a weighted net made of metal rings that is dragged across the seafloor to collect bottom-dwelling shellfish.

I recommend: The Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation explains how the dredging process works.

Bycatch

Bycatch refers to the capture of non-target species as an unintended result of commercial fishing. Bycatch is a hot-point for environmental groups that argue against current commercial fishing practices.

I recommend: The NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service explains how bycatch can affect sensitive populations of fish and marine mammals, and what is being done to remedy the problem.

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, or GMDSS, is a combination of satellite and radio systems that provides for automatic alerting and calls for help when the radio operator may not have time to send an SOS.

I recommend: The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center explains the GMDSS in great detail. Crewmen aboard a commercial fishing vessel may be required to be trained and certified in the use of the GMDSS.

Longlining

Longlining refers to a long rope with separate lines and bait stations attached that is deployed from a commercial fishing vessel. The rope is supported by buoys, and the ship collects it once there's been time for fish to bite at the baited lines.

I recommend: New Jersey Fishing explains how longlining works and how it relates to other fishing methods in terms of conservation.

Exploitation

Exploitation, measured as either a pattern or a rate, quantifies what proportion and distribution of the fish population is killed by commercial fishing efforts.

I recommend: The Northeast Fisheries Science Center explains how the exploitation pattern and rate is calculated for any given fish population. The exploitation pattern and rate are typically calculated over the space of a year, and may be affected by fish migratory patterns or changes in commercial fishing practices.