View occupational profile

Search the OaSIS

Fishing masters and officers

OaSIS code 83120.00

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.

Overview

Also known as

  • Fishing vessel boatswain
  • Fishing vessel deck officer
  • Fishing vessel first mate
  • Fishing vessel master
  • Offshore fishing vessel captain
  • Trawler captain

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Command fishing vessels to catch fish and other marine life
  • Determine areas for fishing, plot courses and compute navigational positions using compasses, charts, tables and other aids
  • Steer vessels and operate navigational instruments and electronic fishing aids such as echo sounders and chart plotters
  • 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.

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.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Deck officers, water transport (72602)
  • Engineer officers, water transport (72603)
  • Fishermen/women (83121)
  • Fishing vessel chief engineer (in 72603.00 Engineer officers, water transport)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

83 – Occupations in natural resources and related production

Sub-major group

831 – Occupations in natural resources and fisheries

Minor group

8312 – Fishing vessel masters and fishermen/women

Unit group

83120 – Fishing masters and officers

Occupational profile

83120.00 – Fishing masters and officers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Handling and Moving Objects
4 - High Level
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
4 - High Level
Performing General Physical Activities
4 - High Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
4 - High amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
4 - More than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Establishments operating commercial fishing vessels

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Depth Perception
5 - Highest Level
Far Vision
5 - Highest Level
Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
5 - Highest Level
Glare Tolerance
5 - Highest Level
Gross Body Coordination
5 - Highest Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Coordinating
3 - Moderate Level
Critical Thinking
3 - Moderate Level
Decision Making
3 - Moderate Level
Equipment and Tool Selection
3 - Moderate Level
Management of Financial Resources
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Concern for Others
4 - Highly important
Independence
4 - Highly important
Leadership
4 - Highly important
Stress Tolerance
4 - Highly important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: REI

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Enterprising (E)

Enterprising occupations are characterized by the dominance of action-oriented activities to attain organizational or self-interest goals. They frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects, influencing, leading or mobilizing people, making decisions, and sometimes require risk taking and dealing with business.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • 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.
  • Marine Emergency Duties Certificate is required by Transport Canada.
  • A valid Fishing Vessel Operator Certificate is required for all occupations in this unit group.
  • A commercial fishing licence is required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Livestock, Farm Animals & Wildlife
3 - Advanced Level
Business Management
2 - Intermediate Level
Public Safety and Security
2 - Intermediate Level
Accounting
1 - Basic Level
Biology
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Date modified: