428
Occupational
Outlook
Handbook
percent
earned
less
than
$
205,
and
the
highest
10
percent
earned
more
than
$
526.
Median
hourly
earnings
of
graders
and
sorters,
agricultural
products
were
$
7.11
in
2000.
The
middle
50
percent
earned
between
$
6.34
and
$
8.78.
The
lowest
10
percent
earned
less
than
$
5.87,
and
the
highest
10
percent
earned
more
than
$
11.18.
Median
hourly
earnings
of
agricultural
inspectors
were
$
13.75
in
2000.
The
middle
50
percent
earned
between
$
10.61
and
$
17.85.
The
lowest
10
percent
earned
less
than
$
8.79,
and
the
highest
10
percent
earned
more
than
$
21.91.
Few
agricultural
workers
are
members
of
unions.

Related
Occupations
The
duties
of
farmworkers
who
perform
outdoor
labor
are
related
to
the
work
of
fishers
and
fishing
vessel
operators;
forest,
conservation
and
logging
workers;
and
grounds
maintenance
workers.
Farmworkers
who
work
with
farm
and
ranch
animals
perform
work
related
to
that
of
animal
care
and
service
workers.
The
work
of
agricultural
inspectors
and
graders
and
sorters
is
related
to
work
performed
by
inspectors,
testers,
sorters,
samplers,
and
weighers
in
manufacturing
industries.

Sources
of
Additional
Information
Information
on
jobs
as
agricultural
workers
is
available
from:
Ü
National
FFA
Organization,
The
National
FFA
Center,
Career
Information
Requests,
P.
O.
Box
68690,
Indianapolis,
IN,
46268­
0960.
Internet:
http://
www.
ffa.
org
Information
on
farmworker
jobs
is
available
from:
Ü
The
New
England
Small
Farm
Institute,
275
Jackson
St.,
Belchertown,
MA
01007.
Internet:
http://
www.
smallfarm.
org/
newoof/
companions.
html
Information
on
obtaining
a
position
as
an
agricultural
inspector
with
the
Federal
Government
is
available
from
the
Office
of
Personnel
Management
(
OPM)
through
a
telephone­
based
system.
Consult
your
telephone
directory
under
U.
S.
Government
for
a
local
number
or
call
(
912)
757­
3000;
Federal
Relay
Service:
(
800)
877­
8339.
The
first
number
is
not
tollfree,
and
charges
may
result
Information
also
is
available
from
the
OPM
Internet
site:
http://
www.
usajobs.
opm.
gov
Fishers
and
Fishing
Vessel
Operators
(
O*
NET
45­
3011.00)

Significant
Points
ó
Over
60
percent
of
the
workers
are
self­
employed,
among
the
highest
proportion
in
the
workforce.

ó
Many
jobs
require
strenuous
work
and
long
hours,
and
provide
only
seasonal
employment.

ó
Employment
is
projected
to
decline,
due
to
depletion
of
fish
stocks
and
new
Federal
and
State
laws
restricting
both
commercial
and
recreational
fishing.

Nature
of
the
Work
Fishers
and
fishing
vessel
operators
catch
and
trap
various
types
of
marine
life
for
human
consumption,
animal
feed,
bait,
and
other
uses.
(
Aquaculture
 
the
raising
and
harvesting
for
commercial
purposes
of
fish
and
other
aquatic
life
in
ponds
or
confined
bodies
of
water
 
is
covered
in
the
Handbook
statement
on
farmers,
ranchers
and
agricultural
managers.)
Fishing
hundreds
of
miles
from
shore
with
commercial
fishing
vessels
 
large
boats
capable
of
hauling
a
catch
of
tens
of
thousands
of
pounds
of
fish
 
requires
a
crew
including
a
captain,
or
skipper,
a
first
mate
and
sometimes
a
second
mate,
boatswain
(
called
a
deckboss
on
some
smaller
boats),
and
deckhands
with
specialized
skills.
The
fishing
boat
captain
plans
and
oversees
the
fishing
operation
 
the
fish
to
be
sought,
the
location
of
the
best
fishing
grounds,
the
method
of
capture,
the
duration
of
the
trip,
and
the
sale
of
the
catch.
The
captain
ensures
the
fishing
vessel
is
seaworthy;
oversees
the
purchase
of
supplies,
gear,
and
equipment
such
as
fuel,
netting,
and
cables;
obtains
the
required
fishing
permits
and
licenses;
and
hires
qualified
crew
members
and
assigns
their
duties.
The
captain
plots
the
vessel's
course,
using
navigation
instruments
and
aids
such
as
compasses,
sextants,
and
charts,
in
addition
to
electronic
navigational
equipment
such
as
autopilots,
loran
systems,
and
satellite
navigation
systems.
Ships
also
use
radar
to
avoid
obstacles
and
depth
sounders
to
indicate
the
water
depth
and
the
existence
of
marine
life
between
the
vessel
and
sea
bottom.
Sophisticated
tracking
technology
allows
captains
to
better
locate
and
analyze
schools
of
fish.
The
captain
directs
the
fishing
operation
through
the
officers
and
records
daily
activities
in
the
ship's
log.
Upon
returning
to
port,
the
captain
arranges
for
the
sale
of
the
catch
 
directly
to
buyers
or
through
a
fish
auction
 
and
ensures
that
each
crew
member
receives
the
prearranged
portion
of
adjusted
net
proceeds
from
the
sale
of
the
catch.
Some
captains
have
begun
buying
and
selling
fish
via
the
Internet;
and
as
electronic
commerce
grows
as
a
method
to
find
buyers
for
fresh
catch,
more
captains
may
use
computers.
The
first
mate
 
the
captain's
assistant,
who
must
be
familiar
with
navigation
requirements
and
the
operation
of
all
electronic
equipment
 
assumes
control
of
the
vessel
when
the
captain
is
off
duty.
Duty
shifts,
called
watches,
usually
last
6
hours.
The
mate's
regular
duty,
with
the
help
of
the
boatswain
and
under
the
captain's
oversight,
is
to
direct
the
fishing
operations
and
sailing
responsibilities
of
the
deckhands.
These
include
the
operation,
maintenance,
and
repair
of
the
vessel,
and
the
gathering,
preservation,
stowing,
and
unloading
of
the
catch.
The
boatswain,
a
highly
experienced
deckhand
with
supervisory
responsibilities,
directs
the
deckhands
as
they
carry
out
the
sailing
and
fishing
operations.
Before
departure,
the
boatswain
directs
the
deckhands
to
load
equipment
and
supplies,
either
by
hand
or
with
hoisting
equipment,
and
to
untie
lines
from
other
boats
and
the
dock.
When
necessary,
boatswains
repair
fishing
gear,
equipment
nets,
and
accessories.
They
operate
the
fishing
gear,
letting
out
and
pulling
in
nets
and
lines.
They
extract
the
catch
such
as
pollock,
flounder,
menhaden,
and
tuna,
from
the
nets
or
lines'
hooks.
Deckhands
use
dip
nets
to
prevent
the
escape
of
small
fish
and
gaffs
to
facilitate
the
landing
of
large
fish.
They
then
wash,
salt,
ice,
and
stow
away
the
catch.
Deckhands
also
must
ensure
that
decks
are
clear
and
clean
at
all
times
and
the
vessel's
engines
and
equipment
are
kept
in
good
working
order.
Upon
return
to
port,
they
secure
the
vessel's
lines
to
and
from
the
docks
and
other
vessels.
Unless
"
lumpers"
(
laborers
or
longshore
workers)
are
hired,
the
deckhands
unload
the
catch.
Large
fishing
vessels
that
operate
in
deep
water
generally
have
technologically
advanced
equipment,
and
some
may
have
facilities
on
board
where
the
fish
are
processed
and
prepared
for
sale.
Such
vessels
are
equipped
for
long
stays
at
sea
and
can
perform
the
work
of
several
smaller
boats.
Some
full­
time
and
many
part­
time
fishers
work
on
small
boats
in
relatively
shallow
waters,
often
in
sight
of
land.
Navigation
and
communication
needs
are
vital
and
constant
for
almost
all
types
of
boats.
Crews
are
small
 
usually
only
one
or
two
people
collaborate
on
all
aspects
of
the
fishing
operation.
This
may
include
placing
gill
nets
across
the
mouths
of
rivers
or
inlets,
entrapment
nets
in
bays
and
lakes,
or
pots
and
traps
for
fish
or
shellfish
such
as
Farming,
Fishing,
and
Forestry
Occupations
429
Although
fishing
has
become
more
mechanized,
netting
and
hauling
the
catch
aboard
is
strenuous
work.

lobsters
and
crabs.
Dredges
and
scrapes
are
sometimes
used
to
gather
shellfish
such
as
oysters
and
scallops.
A
very
small
proportion
of
commercial
fishing
is
conducted
as
diving
operations.
Depending
upon
the
water's
depth,
divers
 
wearing
regulation
diving
suits
with
an
umbilical
(
air
line)
or
a
scuba
outfit
and
equipment
 
use
spears
to
catch
fish
and
use
nets
and
other
equipment
to
gather
shellfish,
coral,
sea
urchins,
abalone,
and
sponges.
In
very
shallow
waters,
fish
are
caught
from
small
boats
having
an
outboard
motor,
from
rowboats,
or
by
wading
or
seining
from
shore.
Fishers
use
a
wide
variety
of
hand­
operated
equipment
 
for
example,
nets,
tongs,
rakes,
hoes,
hooks,
and
shovels
 
to
gather
fish
and
shellfish;
catch
amphibians
and
reptiles
such
as
frogs
and
turtles;
and
harvest
marine
vegetation,
such
as
Irish
moss
and
kelp.
Although
historically
most
fishers
were
involved
with
the
traditional
commercial
fishery,
some
captains
and
deckhands
are
primarily
employed
in
support
of
the
sport
or
recreational
fishery.
Typically,
a
group
of
people
charter
a
fishing
vessel
 
for
periods
ranging
from
several
hours
to
a
number
of
days
 
for
sport
fishing,
socializing,
and
relaxation
and
employ
a
captain
and
possibly
several
deckhands.
This
industry
had
experienced
significant
growth
in
the
1970s
and
1980s,
but
declined
in
the
1990s
because
of
the
limited
availability
of
fish.

Working
Conditions
Fishing
operations
are
conducted
under
various
environmental
conditions
depending
on
the
region
of
the
country
and
the
kind
of
species
sought.
Storms,
fog,
and
wind
may
hamper
fishing
vessels.
Divers
are
affected
by
murky
water
and
unexpected
shifts
in
underwater
currents.
In
relatively
busy
fisheries,
smaller
boats
have
to
take
care
not
to
be
hit
by
larger
vessels.
Fishers
and
fishing
vessel
operators
work
under
hazardous
conditions
and
often
help
is
not
readily
available.
Malfunctioning
navigation
or
communication
equipment
may
lead
to
collisions
or
shipwrecks.
Malfunctioning
fishing
gear
poses
the
danger
of
injury
to
the
crew,
who
also
must
guard
against
entanglement
in
fishing
nets
and
gear,
slippery
decks
resulting
from
fish
processing
operations,
ice
formation
in
the
winter,
or
being
swept
overboard
 
a
fearsome
situation.
Also,
treatment
for
any
serious
injuries
may
have
to
await
transfer
to
a
hospital.
Divers
must
guard
against
entanglement
of
air
lines,
malfunction
of
scuba
equipment,
decompression
problems,
and
attacks
by
predatory
fish.
Fishers
and
fishing
vessel
operators
face
strenuous
outdoor
work
and
long
hours.
Commercial
fishing
trips
may
require
a
stay
of
several
weeks,
or
even
months
 
hundreds
of
miles
away
from
home
port.
The
pace
of
work
may
vary,
but
even
during
travel
between
home
port
and
the
fishing
grounds,
deckhands
on
smaller
boats
try
to
finish
their
cleaning
duties
so
that
there
are
no
chores
remaining
to
be
done
at
port.
However,
lookout
watches
are
a
regular
responsibility
and
crew
members
must
be
prepared
to
stand
watch
at
prearranged
times
of
the
day
or
night.
Although
fishing
gear
has
improved,
and
operations
have
become
more
mechanized,
netting
and
processing
fish
are
strenuous
activities.
Whereas
newer
vessels
have
improved
living
quarters
and
amenities,
such
as
television
and
shower
stalls,
crews
still
experience
the
aggravations
of
confined
conditions,
continuous
close
personal
contact,
and
the
absence
of
family.

Employment
Fishers
and
fishing
vessel
operators
held
an
estimated
53,000
jobs
in
2000.
More
than
6
out
of
10
were
self­
employed.
Besides
fishing
conducted
primarily
to
harvest
food,
some
jobs
involved
sport
fishing
activities.

Training,
Other
Qualifications,
and
Advancement
Fishers
usually
acquire
occupational
skills
on
the
job,
many
as
members
of
families
involved
in
fishing
activities.
No
formal
academic
requirements
exist.
Operators
of
large
commercial
fishing
vessels
are
required
to
complete
a
Coast
Guard­
approved
training
course.
Students
can
expedite
their
entrance
into
these
occupations
by
enrolling
in
2­
year
vocational­
technical
programs
offered
by
secondary
schools.
In
addition,
some
community
colleges
and
universities
offer
fishery
technology
and
related
programs
that
include
courses
in
seamanship,
vessel
operations,
marine
safety,
navigation
vessel
repair
and
maintenance,
health
emergencies,
and
fishing
gear
technology.
Courses
include
hands­
on
experience.
Secondary
and
postsecondary
programs
are
normally
offered
in
or
near
coastal
areas.
Experienced
fishers
may
find
short­
term
workshops
offered
through
various
postsecondary
institutions
especially
useful.
These
programs
provide
a
good
working
knowledge
of
electronic
equipment
used
in
navigation
and
communication,
and
the
latest
improvements
in
fishing
gear.
Captains
and
mates
on
large
fishing
vessels
of
at
least
200
gross
tons
must
be
licensed.
Captains
of
sport
fishing
boats
used
for
charter,
regardless
of
size,
must
also
be
licensed.
Crew
members
on
certain
fish
processing
vessels
may
need
a
merchant
mariner's
document.
The
U.
S.
Coast
Guard
issues
these
documents
and
licenses
to
individuals
who
meet
the
stipulated
health,
physical,
and
academic
requirements.
(
For
information
about
merchant
marine
occupations,
see
the
statement
on
water
transportation
occupations
elsewhere
in
the
Handbook.)
Fishers
must
be
in
good
health
and
possess
physical
strength.
Good
coordination,
mechanical
aptitude,
and
the
ability
to
work
under
difficult
or
dangerous
conditions
are
necessary
to
operate,
maintain,
and
repair
equipment
and
fishing
gear.
Fishers
need
stamina
to
work
long
hours
at
sea,
often
under
difficult
conditions.
On
large
vessels,
they
must
be
able
to
work
as
members
of
a
team.
Fishers
must
be
patient,
yet
always
alert,
to
overcome
the
boredom
of
long
watches,
when
not
engaged
in
fishing
operations.
The
ability
to
assume
any
deckhand's
functions,
on
short
notice,
is
important
As
supervisors,
mates
must
be
able
to
assume
all
duties,
including
the
captain's,
when
necessary.
The
captain
must
be
highly
experienced,
mature,
decisive,
and
possess
the
business
skills
needed
to
run
business
operations.
On
fishing
vessels,
most
fishers
begin
as
deckhands.
Deckhands
who
acquire
experience
and
whose
interests
are
in
ship
engineering
 
maintenance
and
repair
of
ship
engines
and
equipment
 
can
430
Occupational
Outlook
Handbook
eventually
become
licensed
chief
engineers
on
large
commercial
vessels,
after
meeting
the
Coast
Guard's
experience,
physical,
and
academic
requirements.
Experienced,
reliable
deckhands
who
display
supervisory
qualities
may
become
boatswains.
Boatswains
may,
in
turn,
become
second
mates,
first
mates,
and
finally
captains.
Almost
all
captains
become
self­
employed,
and
the
overwhelming
majority
eventually
own,
or
have
an
interest
in,
one
or
more
fishing
ships.
Some
may
choose
to
run
a
sport
or
recreational
fishing
operation
When
their
seagoing
days
are
over,
experienced
individuals
may
work
in
or,
with
the
necessary
capital,
own
stores
selling
fishing
and
marine
equipment
and
supplies.
Some
captains
may
assume
advisory
or
administrative
positions
in
industry
trade
associations
or
government
offices,
such
as
harbor
development
commissions
or
in
teaching
positions
in
industry­
sponsored
workshops
or
educational
institutions.
Divers
in
fishing
operations
can
enter
commercial
diving
activity
 
for
example,
repairing
ships
or
maintaining
piers
and
marinas
 
usually
after
completion
of
a
certified
training
program
sponsored
by
an
educational
institution
or
industry
association.

Job
Outlook
Employment
of
fishers
and
fishing
vessel
operators
is
expected
to
decline
through
the
year
2010.
These
occupations
depend
on
the
natural
ability
of
fish
stocks
to
replenish
themselves
through
growth
and
reproduction,
as
well
as
on
governmental
regulation
of
fisheries
Many
operations
are
currently
at
or
beyond
maximum
sustainable
yield,
partially
because
of
habitat
destruction,
and
the
number
of
workers
who
can
earn
an
adequate
income
from
fishing
is
expected
to
decline.
Job
openings
will
arise
from
the
need
to
replace
workers
who
retire
or
leave
the
occupation.
Some
fishers
and
fishing
vessel
operators
leave
the
occupation
because
of
the
strenuous
and
hazardous
nature
of
the
job
and
the
lack
of
steady,
year­
round
income.
In
many
areas,
particularly
the
North
Atlantic
and
Pacific
Northwest
damage
to
spawning
grounds
and
excessive
fishing
have
adversely
affected
the
stock
of
fish
and,
consequently,
the
employment
opportunities
for
fishers.
In
some
areas,
States
have
greatly
reduced
permits
to
fishers,
to
allow
stocks
of
fish
and
shellfish
to
replenish
themselves,
idling
many
fishers.
Other
factors
contributing
to
the
projected
decline
in
employment
of
fishers
include
the
use
of
sophisticated
electronic
equipment
for
navigation,
communication,
and
fish
location;
improvements
in
fishing
gear,
which
have
greatly
increased
the
efficiency
of
fishing
operations;
and
the
use
of
highly
automated
floating
processors,
where
the
catch
is
processed
aboard
the
vessel.
Sport
fishing
boats
will
continue
to
provide
some
job
opportunities.

Earnings
The
majority
of
fishers
earn
between
$
300
and
$
750
per
week.
Earnings
of
fishers
and
fishing
vessel
operators
normally
are
highest
in
the
summer
and
fall
 
when
demand
for
services
peaks
and
environmental
conditions
are
favorable
 
and
lowest
during
the
winter.
Many
full­
time
and
most
part­
time
workers
supplement
their
income
by
working
in
other
activities
during
the
off­
season.
For
example,
fishers
may
work
in
seafood
processing
plants,
establishments
selling
fishing
and
marine
equipment,
or
in
construction,
or
in
a
number
of
non­
related,
seasonal
occupations.
Earnings
of
fishers
vary
widely,
depending
upon
their
position,
ownership
percentage
of
the
vessel,
size
of
ship,
and
the
amount
and
value
of
the
catch.
The
costs
of
the
fishing
operation
 
the
physical
aspects
of
operating
the
ship
such
as
the
fuel
costs,
repair
and
maintenance
of
gear
and
equipment,
and
the
crew's
supplies
 
are
deducted
from
the
sale
of
the
catch.
Net
proceeds
are
distributed
among
the
crew
members
in
accordance
with
a
prearranged
percentage.
Generally,
the
ship's
owner
 
usually
its
captain
 
receives
half
of
the
net
proceeds.
From
this,
the
owner
pays
for
depreciation
maintenance
and
repair,
replacement
and
insurance
costs
of
the
ship
and
equipment;
the
money
remaining
is
the
owner's
profit.

Related
Occupations
Other
occupations
that
involve
outdoor
work
with
fish
and
watercraft
include
water
transportation
occupations
and
fish
and
game
wardens.

Sources
of
Additional
Information
Names
of
postsecondary
schools
offering
fishing
and
related
marine
educational
programs
are
available
from:
Ü
Marine
Technology
Society,
1828
L
St.
NW.,
Suite
906,
Washington,
DC
20036­
5104.
Internet:
http://
www.
mtsociety.
org
Information
on
licensing
of
fishing
vessel
captains
and
mates,
and
requirements
for
merchant
mariner
documentation,
is
available
from
the
U.
S.
Coast
Guard
Marine
Inspection
Office
or
Marine
Safety
Office
in
your
State,
or:
Ü
Office
of
Compliance,
Commandant
(
G­
MOC­
3)
2100
Second
St.
SW.,
Washington,
DC
20593.
Ü
Licensing
and
Evaluation
Branch,
National
Maritime
Center,
4200
Wilson
Blvd.,
Suite
630,
Arlington,
VA
22203­
1804.

Forest,
Conservation,
and
Logging
Workers
(
O*
NET
45­
4011.00,
45­
4021.00,
45­
4022.01,
45­
4023.00)

Significant
Points
ó
Workers
spend
all
their
time
outdoors,
sometimes
in
poor
weather
and
often
in
isolated
areas.

ó
Most
jobs
are
physically
demanding
and
can
be
hazardous.

ó
A
small
decline
is
expected
in
overall
employment.

Nature
of
the
Work
The
Nation's
forests
are
a
rich
natural
resource,
providing
beauty
and
tranquillity,
varied
recreational
areas,
and
wood
for
commercial
use.
Managing
forests
and
woodlands
requires
many
different
kinds
of
workers.
Forest
and
conservation
workers
help
develop,
maintain,
and
protect
these
forests
by
growing
and
planting
new
tree
seedlings,
fighting
insects
and
diseases
that
attack
trees,
and
helping
to
control
soil
erosion.
Timber
cutting
and
logging
workers
harvest
thousands
of
acres
of
forests
each
year
for
the
timber
that
provides
the
raw
material
for
countless
consumer
and
industrial
products.
Forest
and
conservation
workers
perform
a
variety
of
tasks
to
reforest
and
conserve
timberlands
and
maintain
forest
facilities,
such
as
roads
and
campsites.
Some
forest
workers,
called
tree
planters,
use
digging
and
planting
tools
called
"
dibble
bars"
and
"
hoedads"
to
plant
tree
seedlings
to
reforest
timberland
areas.
Forest
workers
also
remove
diseased
or
undesirable
trees
with
a
powersaw
or
handsaw
and
spray
trees
with
insecticides
to
kill
insects
and
to
protect
against
disease
and
herbicides
to
reduce
competing
vegetation.
Forest
workers
in
private
industry
usually
work
for
professional
foresters
and
paint
boundary
lines,
assist
with
prescribed
burning,
and
aid
in
tree
marking
and
measuring
by
keeping
a
tally
of
the
trees
examined
and
counted.
Those
who
work
for
State
and
local
governments
or
under
contract
to
the
Federal
Government
also
clear
