A fisherman’s specific job functions may vary depending on the type of fish he is attempting to catch and where he is operating. A fisherman’s primary vessel will usually be a boat, and he or she will be responsible for scouting fishing locations, hauling fish from the water, properly storing them to get them to markets, and transporting them back to dry land. Many boats will be out at sea for weeks or even months at a time, searching for the best fishing spots and concentrations.
To become a fisherman, no formal education is required; the skills required to perform the job can be learned doing the actual tasks. A new employee may begin working with more experienced employees who will properly train them in the processes, and the new employee will be taken on shorter fishing trips to get used to the lifestyle. The new employee may be responsible for hauling nets or traps, sifting through recent catches and sorting out fish or other animals that need to be returned to the water, maintaining the boat, transporting cargo, and even cooking for himself and his shipmates, depending on the type of fishing being done.
The fisherman is likely to spend a significant amount of time away from home. Because many fishing expeditions can last weeks or months, this can be difficult for both the fisherman and his family. On the water, weather conditions can change quickly and dramatically, and all employees on a boat are likely to be exposed to extreme cold, heat, moisture, and rough seas. This means that the job can be extremely dangerous, and the employee must be aware that he or she could be hurt or killed while on the job. During the winter months, all employees may be required to chip ice off the ship’s deck, repair the boat, and otherwise maintain the equipment that is used on a daily basis.
Smaller businesses may require the angler to perform additional tasks while on land. He may be responsible for transporting the fish from the boat to land-based storage units, as well as selling the fish to customers. This is usually done specially hired staff, but independent fishermen may not be able to afford such personnel.