Education · 1 of 5

The path

You get hired onto a boat, then earn the certificates that let you move up.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Helpful but not required on deck. Shop, math and any boat experience count for more.

2. 2

   Basic marine safety training

   Days to weeks

   Marine emergency duties and basic safety courses before you can legally go to sea as crew.

3. 3

   Register as a crew member

   Weeks

   Fish harvesters register with the provincial fish harvester body or directly with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, depending on the coast.

4. 4

   Work seasons as crew

   2 to 10 years

   Learn the gear, the grounds and the species. Skippers hire people they have fished with.

5. 5

   Move up

   Varies hugely

   Earn a small vessel operator or fishing master certificate, run someone's boat, then buy a licence if you can finance it.