Alaska Commercial Fishing

Fantastic stories exist about the commercial fishing industry in Alaska that is luring prospective job seekers to seek their fortune there. Tales of amazing wages, no living expenses and little to no experience for jobs make the rounds.

Materials are published online and offline that support the claims of high wage jobs on fishing boots and in canneries. There are however usually a number of failures for every single report claiming success in reality.

Any crew member considering a job in commercial fishing in Alaska must carefully assess every job opening, pay close attention to all of the details of any job offer, and research the company for whom they would work. Likewise, it is important to look at any records of crew injuries, success or failures of the company, company records such as history and reputation, and any records of past fatalities including the cause of death.

Finally, prospective crew members should seek out the advice of others in the area rather than through published materials, especially when that advice comes from someone who has worked for the company in question. He or she is more likely to provide an accurate account of the working conditions than someone who is working to promote the particular fishing company.

Crew members are often asked to work on the fishing vessel and fishing gear without additional payment during peak harvest season where the commercial fishing is moving in full speed in Alaska.

Pay is often based upon a daily, shared rate depending upon how much fish has been caught that day. Because commercial fishing in Alaska occurs at such a heightened pace, it is important for all new crew members to get signed work contracts or agreements which clearly outline all entitlements, job requirements, and rates of pay.

Likewise, it is important for crew members to retain good records of each days catch and their expected rate of pay on a daily basis.

Commercial fishing in Alaska is conducted with little privacy for the crew on some of the smaller fishing vessels. The crew eats, works, relaxes and sleeps together in tight quarters. Toilet facilities might be exposed or even non existent in some cases at all.

Toilets and showers do usually exist on most of the fishing vessels. Job seekers should specifically ask about these accommodations if privacy is a matter for them. The conditions should be taken into consideration by prospective crew members.

Employers tend to have certain criteria in mind when hiring new crew members for commercial fishing in Alaska. They usually seek someone for a designated contract period only.

Physically capable individuals are required that can work long hours, remain standing for extended lengths of times and move heavy objects around.

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