Fishing in Alaska

Fishing in Alaska is a huge industry, and with the job market currently being somewhat iffy, the idea of going to sea for a few months and earning enough money to feed the family for the rest of the year is sounding quite appealing. Yet before you decide to find your fortune in Alaska’s fishing industry, think carefully if you truly have what it takes to be successful.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Photo identification
• Commercial fishing license
• Wet weather gear
• Waterproof work boots
• Waterproof work gloves

How to Join a Commercial Fishing Crew in Alaska

1. Time your arrival to coincide with the onset of fishing season. Temporary Alaska fishermen should be aware that until fishing season has started, there are few jobs to be had. Do not waste your time and resources by arriving too early in the season or after the season has already started and the crews are firmly established. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (see web link below) publishes a commercial fishing season guide that outlines in detail which fish may be harvested commercially at what time. Several different seasons overlap, and timing is crucial to get a chance for joining a crew.

2. Become a highly visible job seeker on the docks. There is good money to be made as a crew member of a commercial fishing operation in Alaska, and employee turnover is predictably low. Since there are the occasional vacancies for a full or even a partial season, it pays to be a visible fixture on the docks. You will not find the majority of these positions in the want ads of the Sunday paper, but instead may get hired on the spot by a skipper who likes your look and knows you are searching for work.

3. Attend job fairs and other events designed to bring together potential crew members and skippers looking to man a vessel. The Department of Employment Security (see web link below) provides copious information about seafood jobs, job fairs and other locales where you can meet up with someone seeking to staff a crew.

4. Understand that you will not be paid a minimum wage but instead get a cut of the profit. There is no time card to punch and no time sheet to keep track of. At the same time, the majority of crew members do not get paid until the harvest is collected, brought to market and successfully sold. A poor fishing expedition, low quality fish, a boat mishap, or fickle market conditions all have the chance of drastically reducing your earnings; in some cases, you may actually find that you will earn nothing if the cargo is tainted or lost. As a beginner, you may expect to be offered 1.2 percent or more of the adjusted gross catch worth; more experienced fishermen may earn up to 8 percent or even 10 percent. An alternative means of payment — and one that at least guarantees some income — is the per diem rate that runs anywhere from $50 to $100 per day, but precludes you from sharing in the profits.

5. Inquire about crew member expenses before hiring on. You may be surprised to learn that working as a commercial fishing crew member may actually cost you money. Skippers do charge their crew members for the cost of meals, fuel, maintenance supplies and expenditures associated with bringing the catch to market. These costs are not deducted from the gross catch, but instead passed down to the crew members. This protects the skipper from any losses even if the fishing trip turns out to be a failure. Some crews are charged more than others, and knowing ahead of time how much money you are expected to pay for the chance of making your share is important when calculating your overall take-home pay.

6. Follow any and all directions given to you and never diverge from safety rules. You will live in close quarters with a number of other commercial fishermen and there is only room for one person to be in charge. Follow all direct orders and defer to the more experienced crew members in matters of opinion. Do not cut corners since this may endanger the life or health of another member of the fishing crew.

Tips & Warnings

• Being a commercial fisherman in Alaska is a highly physical job that requires you to be in top shape and willing to work under adverse conditions for prolonged periods of time. Make sure you are able and willing to work in this environment before shipping out; skippers are unlikely to turn back to shore to drop you off if you change your mind.

Resources

• The Alaska Department of Fish and Game publishes a commercial fishing season guide at its site.
• Purchase your Commercial Crewmember License at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s home page.
• Check with the Division of Employment Security to find job fairs and other seafood job announcement for commercial fishermen.

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[penair]

on 8/12/2009 Great info! For flight information to some of the best Alaskan commercial fishing destinations contact us at www.penair.com or 1-800-448-4226. Also, check out our facebook fan page at http://tinyurl.com/pl9s55 for pictures and the latest news. Got pictures of your trip??? You can post them as well.