Southern Cross Campus
Fishing Skipper Kaiurungi Hao Ika
Fishing skippers are responsible for running a fishing boat. Responsibilities range from navigating the vessel and organising the crew to catching and processing fish.
Fishing skippers who own their own boat must register their vessel.
Fishing skippers may do some or all of the following:
- hire and direct the crew
- navigate fishing boats to and from fishing grounds
- manage the deck and fishing duties
- record fish catches and keep quality records
- ensure the ship is properly equipped and maintained
- ensure the health and safety of the crew
- undertake maintenance and emergency repairs.
Physical Requirements
Fishing skippers on inshore fishing boats need to be fit and healthy, as their role involves a lot of physical labour. Physical fitness is less important for deep-sea fishing skippers, as their role is usually confined to the wheelhouse.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for fishing skippers includes:
- work as a deckhand
- work as a first or second mate on a fishing boat
- navigational work
- other commercial fishing experience.
Personal Qualities
Fishing skippers need to be:
- responsible, practical, and able to work well under pressure
- safety-conscious
- able to think on their feet and remain calm in emergencies
- good at communicating and leading others
- good at making decisions.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for fishing skippers includes:
- work as a deckhand
- work as a first or second mate on a fishing boat
- navigational work
- other commercial fishing experience.
Subject Recommendations
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a fishing skipper. However, biology, geography and maths are useful.
Fishing Skippers can earn around $40K-$80K per year per year.
Fishing skippers may progress to work on non-fishing vessels or move into onshore management roles, such as vessel manager, within a fishing company.
They specialise in either deep-sea or inshore fishing.
- Deep-sea Fishing Skipper
- Deep-sea fishing skippers may lead a large crew and play a managerial role on the fishing boat.
- Inshore Fishing Skipper
- Inshore fishing skippers may have just one crew member working for them. They have a more hands-on role in operating the boat and catching fish.
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