Fishing vessel deckhands
Occupation · NOC 2021 84121 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 84121
- TEER
- 4
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 114
- Median wage, Canada
- C$25.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 18
OC<CANFISHING<VESSEL<DECKHANDS<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 841216<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<2
About this occupation
Fishing vessel deckhands perform a variety of manual tasks on commercial fishing voyages, and maintain fishing vessels. They are employed by establishments that operate commercial fishing vessels and by self-employed fishermen/women.
Example job titles
- fishing vessel crewman/woman
- fishing vessel deckhand
- fishing vessel icer
- fishing vessel netmender
- seiner deckhand
- trawlerman/woman
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare nets, lines and other fishing tackle, and operate fishing gear to catch fish and other marine life
- Sort, return protected species to the water, clean and pack fish in ice and stow catch in hold
- Repair nets, splice ropes and maintain fishing gear and other deck equipment
- Clean deck surfaces and fish hold
- Handle anchors and mooring lines during docking and undocking procedures
- May steer vessels to and from fishing areas
- May prepare and cook meals for crew members.
Employment requirements
- There are no specific educational requirements.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Marine Emergency Duties certificate is required by Transport Canada.
- A deckhand training program may be required.
- Trawlermen/women require at least one year of experience.
- Fishing vessel deckhands require a commercial fishing licence.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 14 |
- PEI MUSSEL FARMS INC32
- North Delta Seafoods Ltd.27
- SACO Fisheries Limited10
- CB Island Fisheries Ltd9
- C.B. Island Fisheries Ltd7
- Red Rooster Fishing Company Inc7
- Young Guns Fisheries Limited6
- R. Michaels Inc.4
- 9368-8828 Québec inc4
- Stoli Finn Isle Services Ltd.2
- BUP VO2
- Ha Seafood Trading Company1
- 3 Ravens Fishing Ltd1
- Takeda Trading Ltd.1
- Pacific Wild Fishing Inc.1
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 |
| 2016 | 10 | 0 |
| 2015 | 10 | 0 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$18.00 | C$25.00 | C$50.00 |
| British Columbia | C$20.00 | C$35.00 | C$50.00 |
| New Brunswick | C$17.14 | C$21.00 | C$35.00 |
| Nova Scotia | C$17.56 | C$25.00 | C$39.13 |
| Quebec | C$18.00 | C$21.00 | C$30.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 18
- Vacancies advertised
- 92
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$24.10
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