Use nets, fishing rods, traps, or other equipment to catch and gather fish or other aquatic animals from rivers, lakes, or oceans, for human consumption or other uses. May haul game onto ship.

Other names for Fishers and Related Fishing Workers: Netter, Ocean Clam Boat Captain, Otter Trawler Boatswain, Oyster Culler, Oyster Dredger, Oyster Fisherman, Oyster Floater, Oyster Harvester, Oyster Picker, Oyster Planter, Oyster Tonger, Oysterman, Pearl Digger, Pearl Fisherman, Pilot, Planter, Pot Fisher, Purse Seiner, Quahogger, Roller, Salmon Gillnet Vessel Operator, Salmon Troll Fisher, Scallop Dredger, Scalloper, Sea Shell Gatherer, Seafood Fisherman, Seaman, Seaweed Harvester, Second Mate, Second Officer, Shell Fisherman, Shellfish Bed Worker, Shellfish Dredge Operator, Shellfish Grower, Fishing Boat Captain, Fishing Vessel Captain, Fishing Vessel Deckhand, Fishing Vessel Mate, Fishing Vessel Operator, Fishing Worker, Frog Catcher, Frog Farmer, Gaffman, Gunner, Harpooner, Hook Tender, Hooker, Hooker On, Hooker Up, Hookman, Hunter Skin Diver, Irish Moss Bleacher, Irish Moss Gatherer, Kelp Cutter, Kelp Gatherer, Landing Worker, Line Fisher, Lobster Fisherman, Lobster Man, Lobsterman, Menhaden Fishing Crew Member, Menhaden Vessel Pilot, Moss Bleacher, Moss Gatherer, Mule Rider, Net Fisher, Net Mender, Net Repairer, Shrimp Trawler, Shrimp Trawler Captain, Shrimper, Shrimping Boat Captain, Skiff Operator, Skipper, Spear Fisher, Sponge Clipper, Sponge Fisherman, Sponge Hooker, Sternman, Striker, Terrapin Fisher, Third Mate, Tonger, Trawler, Troller, Tuna Purse Seiner, Underwater Hunter Trapper, Waterman, Weir Fisher, Weir Fisherman, Whale Fisherman, Wire Web Worker, Abalone Fisherman, Albacore Fishing Boat Crewman, Bait Man, Beachman, Billet Cutter, Blue Crabber, Boat Deckhand, Boat Officer, Boat Puller, Captain, Cat Swamper, Catcher, Chain Person, Chain Puller, Chainer, Choker, Choker Hooker, Chummer, Chute Greaser, Chute Tender, Clam Digger, Clam Dredge Boat Captain, Clam Dredger, Clam Picker, Clam Sorter, Clipper, Commercial Crabber, Commercial Fisherman, Commercial Fishing Vessel Operator, Commercial Ocean Clammer, Commercial Shrimping Captain, Crab Catcher, Crab Fisherman, Crabber, Crew Member, Cruiser, Deckhand, Deep Sea Diver, Derrick Follower, Digger, Diver, Diving Fisher, Drag Seiner, Dulser, Eeler, First Mate, Fish Pitcher, Fish Seiner, Fish Tender, Fish Trapper, Fish, Frog, or Oyster Farmer, Fisherman, Fisherman Helper,

• Steer vessels and operate navigational instruments.
• Put fishing equipment into the water and anchor or tow equipment, according to the fishing method used.
• Maintain engines, fishing gear, and other on-board equipment; and perform minor repairs.
• Sort, pack, and store catch in holds with salt and ice.
• Remove catches from fishing equipment and measure them to ensure compliance with legal size.
• Locate fish, using fish-finding equipment.
• Return undesirable or illegal catches to the water.
• Pull and guide nets, traps, and lines onto vessels, by hand or using hoisting equipment.
• Direct fishing operations, and supervise fishing crew members.
• Signal other workers to move, hoist, and position loads.
• Compute positions and plot courses on charts to navigate vessels, using instruments such as compasses, sextants, and charts.
• Oversee the purchase of supplies, gear, and equipment such as fuel, netting, and cables.
• Attach nets, slings, hooks, blades, and/or lifting devices to cables, booms, hoists, and/or dredges.
• Transport fish to processing plants or to buyers.
• Interpret weather and vessel conditions to determine appropriate responses.
• Wash decks, conveyors, knives, and other equipment, using brushes, detergents, and water.
• Connect accessories such as floats, weights, flags, lights, or markers to nets, lines, or traps.
• Load and unload vessel equipment and supplies, by hand or using hoisting equipment.
• Harvest marine life for human or animal consumption, using diving or dredging equipment, traps, barges, rods, reels, and/or tackle.
• Hire qualified crew members, and assign their duties.
• Plan fishing operations, establishing the fish to be sought, the fishing location, the method of capture, and the duration of the trip.
• Stand lookout for schools of fish, and for steering and engine-room watches.
• Operate rowboats, dinghies, and/or skiffs to transport fishers, divers, and/or sponge hookers; or to tow and position fishing equipment.
• Sell catches by contacting and negotiating with buyers or by sending catches to fish auctions.
• Club or gaff large fish to enable hauling them into fishing vessel.
• Monitor distribution of proceeds from sales of catches to ensure that crew members receive their prearranged portions.
• Record in logbooks specifics of fishing activities such as dates, harvest areas, yields, and weather and sea conditions.
• Estimate costs of operations and plan fishing season budgets accordingly.
• Share fishing expertise through activities such as writing for fishing magazines, hosting television shows, or testing and endorsing fishing equipment.
• Participate in wildlife management, disease control, and research activities.