Everything You Need to Know About Crab Fishing Jobs

Fishing jobs are always packed with aquatic interactions. They are providing some of the best food for restaurants and markets worldwide. If your interests lie in more of the crustacean variety, you can try your hand at crab fishing jobs instead. Crab fishing is where you can go along the coastline, collecting various crabby friends for tasty dishes. Job sites like Jooble can give you specifications for this profession so you can find offers more easily. Train yourself in a relative niche but an enriching career. Here is everything you need to know about crab fishing jobs.  

A Crab Fisher’s Job 

Your primary duty will be finding, capturing, and securing many different crabs found in various locations. This will be in rivers, lakes, ocean coastlines, and even deep in the sea. You will most likely be working with a crew on a boat, serving under a captain. The two types of crew members will be deckhands and green hands. The more professional anglers will train you while you catch fish with hands-on approaches. Examples of your everyday tasks will be: 

  • Cleaning the boat 
  • Filling buckets with water to keep the crabs 
  • Checking the catches to know the quality of the haul.  
  • Throwing unwanted crabs back into their habitat.  
  • Selling the traps themselves.  

What Are the Requirements? 

What Are the Requirements?

There aren’t many qualifications you will need to become a crab fisher. The only example of getting any kind of formal fishing education is getting a fisheries science degree. It can provide a wealth of knowledge on what you will be catching, but ultimately, it is not absolute. A lot of the subjects will cover things like ecosystems and habitats. It may provide more insightful ways of finding more lively crab environments.  

The most important thing you will need is the licensing requirement. This is true if you are starting your own crab fishing business. The license gives you the right to fish in an area of your choosing. The license you need can be different depending on which jurisdiction you are working in. There will also be safety exams you may need to take to prove you can operate on a boat safely. Doing some research beforehand is best, so you won’t run into any legal ramifications when working. These requirements are all so that no accidents may occur and you can continue enjoying your work.

Look Close to Home 

Becoming a crab fisherman is a lot easier if you look for the work closest to home. Operating in an area you are familiar with will help with settling into the position. It’s also an excellent way to get to know people quickly and get through training much more smoother. This is still a valid option if you wish to travel further to find work. Be sure to find a way to travel there efficiently or find accommodation for longer fisher trips.  

Be Prepared for Hard Work 

Be Prepared for Hard Work

Being a crab fisher (or any fisher) is a very physical job. You will be moving out a boat while it sails, giving you a lot of ground to cover. You will need to practice those sea legs if you wish to get used to boat travel as quickly as possible. You can try doing other exercises to give you more stamina and endurance. The work hours can be long and taxing. It would help if you had the strength to persevere and perform your tasks better. This is undoubtedly a job suited for those who love outdoor physical activities. 

Get to Know Your Captains 

The best way to secure yourself a job is by having a chat with boat captains and fishermen you know. You can always find them at ports or similar areas if you don’t know any. These people are experts in the business and can help you find work quickly. They may even hire you themselves if you market yourself well enough. Even if you can’t find a job with them, they can still offer plenty of advice on how the job works and what you need to do. Be sure to get their contact information as well if they have any.  

Take a Training Course 

Take a Training Course

There are plenty of places you can go to that can teach you how to ride a boat or simply give you the experience of being on one. The captain can organize the trip while you step on to be the passenger. A training course will teach you how to operate a boat and what roles there are in its maintenance. This can include fixing the engine, tying the ropes, handling the steering wheel, and so much more. As mentioned before, this is another good way to practice your sea legs and get used to walking around the mast.  

Working as a Greenhand 

The official term for those who work on the boat and aren’t captains is deckhands. On crab fishing boats, these are called Greenhands instead. These jobs can also be found on job sites as entry-level positions. This position will mean getting some hands-on experience with running a boat. You could work as a Greenhand while simultaneously gaining crab fishing experience. Even if you are just an observer, it is better to learn here than somewhere else. No other job will be as close to the action as this one.  

Get to Know Crabbing Equipment 

If you wish to purchase your crab fishing equipment, you can. This is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with what you will be working with. Examples include nets for fishing, gloves to safely pick up products, Ice chests to protect from cold weather, pull lines to reel in catches, and more. Many of the crab fishing boats you work on already come with this equipment. If you recognize what is needed, you can help provide spares for the crew and know what needs replacing in emergencies.

 A lot of businesses have moved online nowadays. It is the best and quickest method of getting potential recruits. Keep posted on the job posting site so you can respond quickly to any openings available. In terms of a CV or anything like that, you won’t need to be too stressed about it. Fishing jobs are more about the real-work experience instead of qualifications. Even if you are new, many of them are happy to show you the ropes. Just remember to have a willing attitude and a friendly demeanor. 

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By Lucas Brown

Lucas is an IT student completing his studies in Networking. He worked at Ycombinator as a research analyst. He loves to write about his technology experiences. He also enjoys traveling and captures the best moments with his Canon 5d lens. He is a review specialist at Techproreviewers.

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