Career Opportunities in the Sea Food Industry
Main occupations
Are you someone who thinks that the Seafood Industry is only about boats, fish catches and a life on the ocean wave?
Well, think again. The modern Seafood Industry includes a wide range of specialisations and career opportunities to suit every skill set.. So whether you're academic or entrepreneurial, creative or hands on, take some time out to think Seafood, and listen to the call of the sea.
Who knows? It might be calling to you.
The list below gives an overview of the occupation areas:
Commercial Fishing
- Deck crew (Fisher or Passenger Boat)
- Fish Harvester, e.g. cockle
- Mate, e.g. Second Hand Limited (SHL) Certificate of Competency
- Skipper - e.g. Inshore; Second Hand Special (SHS); Second Hand Full (SHF)
- Passenger Boat Master
- Marine Radio Officer
- Fisheries Co-operative worker
- Lifeboat crew
- Boat Handler
Engineering
- Marine Engineering Technician
- Marine Engineering Technologist
- Chief Engineer or Second Engineer
- Marine Surveyor
- Naval Architect
Aquaculture
- Aquaculture - Technicians and Research Technicians
- Fish Harvesters, e.g, Salmon
- Fish Farmers e.g Trout, Oyster, or Salmon Farmer;
- Freshwater Farm Manager
- Marine Researcher
- Bio-technologist
- Marine Farm Manager
- Production Manager
- Aquaculture Veterinarian
- Commercial Diver or Commercial Diving Supervisor
Seafood Processing
- Seafood Quality e.g. Auditor/Assessor; Team Leader; Manager; Supervisor.
- Fish Filletter
- Seafood Handler
- Seafood Processor
- Fishmonger
- Fish Pathologist
Other Related Maritme Occupations include:
- Coast Guard
- Oceanographer
- Hydrologist
- Ecologist
Types of employment contracts
The majority of share fishermen/fisherwomen are self employed. Employment in all other sectors of the industry are either full time, part time or seasonal work.
How to get a job in this sector
BIM provides QQI quality assured training for new entrants, and for those already working in the industry. There are good opportunities for BIM graduates, with many skippers approaching BIM directly looking for crew.
BIM has two main training colleges: the National Fisheries College located in Greencastle, Co. Donegal and Castletownbere, Co. Cork.
There are also coastal mobile training units which operate along the east and west coasts. Details of all BIM courses and application forms are available on the BIM website www.bim.ie.
Fishermen/fisherwomen generally start working as a Deckhand on a fishing vessel after qualification and receive more responsibility as they gain knowledge and experience.
Typical earnings
The amount earned by fishermen varies as it generally depends on the size of the catch and crew members are paid on a share basis.
Fish Farm Managers can earn a salary of up to approximately €40,000 a year.
Advice for School Leavers
Comprehensive training courses for new entrants are available at Greencastle, Galway and Castletownbere. No previous educational or training qualifications are necessary and QQI courses are open to all. However, for the Commercial Fishing Certificate one must have passed the Leaving Certificate or National Vocational Certificate Level 1, or have relevant life or work experience.
There are progression possibilities and a chance of further qualifications. For example, anyone who completes a PLC course is eligible to receive the equivalent of 390 points in the Leaving Cert and through the Higher Education Links scheme, progress to complete ordinary and higher degrees.
Advice for Graduates
Many of those involved in fishing and aquaculture have the entrepreneurial drive to develop and manage their own businesses, be it trawler, fish-farm processing business or retail unit.
As well as teaching the knowledge and practical skills needed to work in the fishing industry, BIM’s courses also include subjects such as information technology and management training, ensuring that these highly skilled individuals reach their full potential, realising their goals and ambitions, and skilfully managing a successful modern business.
Graduates should look for work in the Aquaculture and Marine Science areas as these will have the most employment opportunities.
Advice for Career Changers
Employment opportunities are available for early school leavers or those who do not wish to pursue third level education, as well as opportunities for older workers or those looking for a career change.
There are progression possibilities and a chance of further qualifications. For example, anyone who completes a QQI programme is eligible to receive the equivalent of 390 points in the Leaving Cert and through the Higher Education Links scheme, progress to complete ordinary and higher degrees.
Advice for People Wishing to Return to Work
Employment opportunities are available for early school leavers or those who do not wish to pursue third level education, as well as opportunities for older workers or those looking for a career change.
There are progression possibilities and a chance of further qualifications. For example, anyone who completes a QQI programme is eligible to receive the equivalent of 390 points in the Leaving Cert and through the Higher Education Links scheme, progress to complete ordinary and higher degrees..
