Agriculture & EnvironmentMarket-oriented skilled forestry, fishery and hunting workersISCO 6223
deep-sea fishery worker
Deep-sea fishery workers operate on board fishing vessels to catch deep-sea fish for sale or delivery. They use equipment such as rods and nets to catch deep-sea fish according to legislation. Deep-sea fishery workers also transport, handle and preserve fish by salting, icing or freezing them.
About deep-sea fishery worker
As a deep-sea fishery worker, you will operate aboard fishing vessels to capture deep-sea fish species in compliance with international maritime and fisheries legislation. Your daily responsibilities include deploying and managing fishing equipment such as nets and rods, hauling catches, and ensuring proper handling and preservation of fish through salting, icing, or freezing methods. You will work in demanding maritime conditions, requiring thorough knowledge of vessel operations, safety protocols, and the health hazards associated with fishing activities. Your role is essential to global food security and the fishing industry, though it demands physical strength, mental resilience, and commitment to marine conservation standards. The profession requires adherence to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and strict hygienic practices to maintain product quality. Career progression may lead to supervisory positions on vessels or transition into shore-based fisheries management roles.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a deep-sea fishery worker.
1
Fishing equipment operation and fish capture
- Operate fishing equipment machinery including nets, rods, lines, and deep-sea fishing gear
- Deploy and manage fishing equipment according to vessel specifications and fishing regulations
- Monitor fishing gear performance and catch quality throughout fishing operations
- Haul and retrieve catches using appropriate techniques and equipment
2
Fish handling and preservation
- Handle fish products following hygienic practices and safety protocols
- Preserve fish by salting, icing, freezing, and other approved preservation methods
- Monitor deterioration of fish products and ensure quality standards are maintained
- Transport and store fish products in appropriate conditions aboard vessel
3
Vessel and equipment operation
- Understand and assist with physical parts of the vessel and vessel deck equipment
- Operate and maintain ship equipment and safety systems
- Assist with vessel anchoring operations and positioning for fishing
- Use fishing vessel equipment and vessel deck tools correctly and safely
4
Maritime safety and regulatory compliance
- Follow international regulations for preventing collisions at sea (COLREGS)
- Adhere to fisheries legislation and Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries
- Understand and manage risks associated with deep-sea fishing operations
- Assist emergency services and participate in vessel safety drills and procedures
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (26)
physical parts of the vesselphysical parts of the vesselThe different physical components of the vessel and their maintenance and care effort.functions of vessel deck equipmentfunctions of vessel deck equipmentThe required performance level of deck and safety equipment and vessel lifting facilities.international regulations for preventing collisions at seainternational regulations for preventing collisions at seaFundamental aspects of the international regulations to prevent collisions at sea, such as the conduct of vessels in sight of one another, navigation lights and markers, major light and accoustic sign...fishing gearfishing gearIdentification of the different gear used in capture fisheries and their functional capacity.code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheriescode of Conduct for Responsible FisheriesFood and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the guidelines established for professional fishers.deterioration of fish productsdeterioration of fish productsProcess of decomposition and spoilage of fish products: physical, enzymatic, microbiological and chemical processes occurring after harvesting.vessel safety equipmentvessel safety equipmentSafety equipment used in vessels, including devices such as lifeboats, life rings, splash doors and fire doors, sprinkler systems, etc, and how these must be operated during emergency situations.fisheries legislationfisheries legislationThe study and analysis of different fisheries management approaches taking into account international treaties and industry norms in order to analyze fisheries management regulations.risks associated with undertaking fishing operationsrisks associated with undertaking fishing operationsGeneral risks occuring when working on fishing boats and specific risks occurring only in some fishing modalities. Prevention of threats and accidents.quality of fish productsquality of fish productsFactors affecting the quality of fish products. For instance, differences between species, impact of the fishing gears and parasite influence on the preservation of quality.health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.follow hygienic practices in fishery operationsfollow hygienic practices in fishery operationsComply with the right regulations and practices for hygienically handling fishery related tasks and responsibilities in fishery operations.work in outdoor conditionswork in outdoor conditionsCan cope with the different climate conditions such as heat, rain, cold or in strong wind.operate fishing equipment machineryoperate fishing equipment machinerySet up and operate machinery to form fishing equipment or accesories such as rods, hooks and lines.preserve fish productspreserve fish productsPlace and classify fish products for proper conservation. Maintain suitable conditions for the conservation of fishery products.assist emergency servicesassist emergency servicesAssist and cooperate with the police and emergency services when needed.use fishing vessel equipmentuse fishing vessel equipmentDispose fishing gear and ship's deck for successful extraction activities as directed by the superior. Run shooting and hauling gear operations for its optimal performance.operate fish capture equipmentoperate fish capture equipmentOperate fish capture equipment, for grading, sampling or harvesting purposes.assist anchoring operationsassist anchoring operationsAssist during anchoring operations; operate equipment and assist in anchor manoeuvres.operate ship equipmentoperate ship equipmentOperate ship equipment such as engines and generators, winches, and HVAC systems. Assume responsibility for all exterior equipment, as well as some interior. Ensure that deck equipment is operated saf...handle fish productshandle fish productsHandle fish with care and hygiene required to maintain quality. Adequately prepare fish products for storage.assist in ship maintenanceassist in ship maintenanceContribute to shipboard maintenance and repair using painting, lubrication and cleaning materials and equipment. Execute routine maintenance and repair procedures. Dispose safely waste materials. Appl...maintain safe navigation watchesmaintain safe navigation watchesObserve principles in keeping a navigation watch. Take over, accept and pass on a watch. Steer the vessel and perform routine duties undertaken during a watch. Observe emergency procedures and safety ...support vessel manoeuvressupport vessel manoeuvresParticipate in manoeuvres at port: berthing, anchoring and other mooring operations. Contribute to a safe navigational watch.swimswimMove through water by means of the limbs.follow verbal instructionsfollow verbal instructionsHave the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.
Optional (34)
fishing industryfishing industryThe business model of the fishing industry, including recreational, subsistence and commercial fishing, and the harvesting, processing, and marketing sectors.radarsradarsSystems that can use radio waves or microwaves to capture the speed, direction, range, and altitude of objects. It can be used for the detection of aeroplanes, ships, and weather formations.International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsInternational Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsThe fundamental principals and requirements laid in the International Regulation for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil, Regulations fo...fish anatomyfish anatomyThe study of the form or morphology of fish species.fire-fighting systemsfire-fighting systemsThe devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemGlobal Maritime Distress and Safety SystemThe internationally agreed-upon set of safety procedures, types of equipment and communication protocols used to increase safety and make it easier to rescue distressed ships, boats and aircraft.use radar navigationuse radar navigationOperate modern radar navigation equipment to ensure safe vessel operations.collect weather-related datacollect weather-related dataGather data from satellites, radars, remote sensors, and weather stations in order to obtain information about weather conditions and phenomena.operate traditional water depth measurement equipmentoperate traditional water depth measurement equipmentOperate traditional water depth measuring equipment e.g. weights on a line, and traditional techniques for measuring the depth of water, particularly along coastlines and near harbours.sell fish and seafoodsell fish and seafoodSell fish and varieties of seafood, according to the product's availability in the store.manage engine-room resourcesmanage engine-room resourcesAllocate, assign, and prioritise engine-room resources. Communicate effectively, showing assertiveness and leadership. Obtain and maintain situational awareness, considering of team experience.extinguish firesextinguish firesChoose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.prepare lifeboatsprepare lifeboatsPrepare lifeboats in ships before departure, ensure full functionality in case of emergency, follow regulatory instructions for lifesaving boats.prepare deck equipmentprepare deck equipmentHandle a wide assortment of deck equipment, including waterproof marine doors, hatches, winches, pumps, cleats, fairleads, portlights, shackles, swivels, tank top covers, anchors, and bollards. Prepar...communicate using the global maritime distress and safety systemcommunicate using the global maritime distress and safety systemSend an alert in case of distress, using any of the various GMDSS radio systems such that the alert has a very high probability of being received by either shore rescue authorities and/or other vessel...clean shipsclean shipsRemove dirt from the ship by sweeping, scrubbing and washing the deck and other areas. Remove superfluous salt and water to avoid oxidation.maintain ship logsmaintain ship logsMaintain written records of events and activities on a ship.survive at sea in the event of ship abandonmentsurvive at sea in the event of ship abandonmentIdentify muster signals and what emergencies they signal. Comply with established procedures. Don and use a lifejacket or an immersion suit. Safely jump into the water from a height. Swim and right an...operate echo sounding equipmentoperate echo sounding equipmentOperate technological equipment to measure the ocean's depth. Calculate and interpret results, and communicate them to management.remove parts of fishremove parts of fishRemove guts, heads and tails for fish and seafood production.secure ships using ropesecure ships using ropeUse rope to secure and untie the ship before departure or upon arrival.conduct on board safety inspectionsconduct on board safety inspectionsConduct on board safety inspections; identify and remove potential threats to the physical integrity of the ship crew.report to captainreport to captainPerform the responsibilities and tasks for the deckhand, and report information to the master of the vessel or the person in charge.use maritime Englishuse maritime EnglishCommunicate in English employing language used in actual situations on board ships, in ports and elsewhere in the shipping chain.analyse weather forecastanalyse weather forecastAnalyse weather forecasts and the information provided on meteorological conditions, such as wind forces, atmospheric structures, clouds, and visibility. Constantly monitor weather conditions to maint...support fishery training proceduressupport fishery training proceduresSupport colleagues progress in their line of work by increasing their job specific know-how.handle cargohandle cargoManage safely the mechanical elements in the loading and unloading of cargo and stores. Stowing and unstowing of products following instructions.unmoor vesselsunmoor vesselsFollow standard procedures to unmoor vessels. Manage communication between the ship and the shore.assist in maritime rescue operationsassist in maritime rescue operationsProvide assistance during maritime rescue operations.wash gutted fishwash gutted fishWash gutted fish in cold water, rinse it, brush it in a machine, or apply a combination of these techniques.maintain vessel safety and emergency equipmentmaintain vessel safety and emergency equipmentMaintain and inspect all safety and emergency equipment such as life jackets, inflatable life rafts, flares, EPIRB, first-aid kits, AED, skiff emergency packs, emergency flashlights, and hand-held rad...operate ship rescue machineryoperate ship rescue machineryOperate rescue boats and survival craft. Launch the boats as required and operate their equipment. Take care of survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship. Use electronic devices to track and ...operate fish processing equipmentoperate fish processing equipmentOperate equipment for canning, drying, freezing, smoking, high pressure processing of fish, or other types of processing of fish following established procedures.fisheries managementfisheries managementThe principles, methods and equipment used in population management applied to fisheries: the concept of catch, by-catch, fishing effort, maximum sustainable yield, different sampling methods and how ...
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