Fishermen/women
Occupation · NOC 2021 83121 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 83121
- TEER
- 3
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 0
- Median wage, Canada
- C$27.77 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 13
NOC83121TEER 3
Data as at 2026
OC<CANFISHERMEN<WOMEN<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 831213<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6
About this occupation
Fishermen/women operate fishing vessels less than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life. They are usually self-employed owner-operators of fishing vessels.
Example job titles
- fisherman/woman
- fishing vessel skipper
- inshore fisherman/woman
- lobster fisherman/woman
- longliner fisherman/woman
- seiner fisherman/woman
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Operate fishing vessel to pursue and catch fish and other marine life
- Select area for fishing, plot courses and compute navigational positions using compasses and charts or electronic fishing aids
- Steer vessel and operate navigational instruments
- Operate fishing gear, direct fishing operation and supervise fishing crew members
- Maintain engine, fishing gear and other on-board equipment
- Record fishing activities, weather and sea conditions
- Estimate costs of operations and plan budget for each fishing season
- Establish fish marketing plan and keep records of all financial transactions
- May transport fish to processing plants or fish buyers.
Employment requirements
- Several years of experience as fishing vessel crew member or helper are usually required.
- Marine Emergency Duties Certificate is required by Transport Canada.
- A valid Fishing Vessel Operator Certificate is required.
- A commercial fishing licence is required.
- Licences are required for each species of fish pursued.
- Trade certification for fish harvesters is available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Source: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification 2021 Version 1.0. Statistics Canada Open LicenceData as at NOC 2021 v1.0
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 0 | 10 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2016 | 10 |
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (values rounded to the nearest 5; 1–4 suppressed). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at Jun 2026
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$18.10 | C$27.77 | C$60.00 |
| British Columbia | C$20.00 | C$38.84 | C$50.00 |
| Manitoba | C$20.00 | C$30.00 | C$100.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$17.14 | C$22.00 | C$50.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$20.00 | C$40.00 | C$100.00 |
| Nova Scotia | C$19.77 | C$30.00 | C$60.00 |
| Quebec | C$17.50 | C$22.88 | C$33.60 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 13
- Vacancies advertised
- 16
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$39.00
Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more