Commercial Fishing Education and Training

Learn skills needed to work for commercial fishery companies

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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

• 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.

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