Leading operations that harvest, process, and manage aquatic species, First-Line Supervisors of Fishery Workers coordinate crews on boats, in hatcheries, or at processing facilities. You’ll ensure safety at sea or in ponds, optimize yields, and maintain quality standards. If maritime teamwork, environmental stewardship, and supervisory challenges excite you, explore this role, and discover your fit through a free career assessment at Assessment.com.
1. What Does This Role Do?
- Crew Coordination: Assign tasks, net deployment, fish sorting, gear maintenance, aboard vessels or in hatcheries.
- Production Oversight: Monitor harvest quotas, growth rates, and processing throughput to meet volume and quality targets.
- Safety Management: Enforce maritime safety protocols—life jacket use, emergency drills, equipment inspections—and maintain compliance with Coast Guard regulations.
- Equipment & Maintenance: Oversee operation and repair of winches, nets, cages, and water quality systems.
- Quality Control: Ensure proper handling, grading, and chilling of fish to preserve freshness and meet regulatory standards.
- Record-Keeping & Reporting: Log catch volumes, bycatch data, feed-to-fish conversion rates, and environmental conditions; report to fishery managers or regulatory bodies.
2. Why This Role Matters
- Sustainable Harvesting: Supervisors balance resource use with conservation, preventing overfishing and habitat damage.
- Food Supply & Commerce: Efficient operations supply seafood markets, impacting global food security and local economies.
- Worker Safety: Coordinated oversight reduces accidents in inherently hazardous marine environments.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meeting catch limits and quality standards preserves fishing rights and market access.
3. Personality & Interests: Would You Like It?
Adventurous & Responsible
If you thrive in dynamic, sometimes rough, outdoor settings yet respect strict safety rules, this role suits you.
Organized Under Pressure
Managing schedules and quotas while at sea or in remote hatcheries demands calm, structured thinking.
Leadership & Communication
Clear radio communication and decisive leadership keep crews coordinated during intensive operations.
Environmental Ethos
A commitment to preserving marine ecosystems underscores sustainable practices and regulatory compliance.
MAPP Fit Insight
High Realistic and Enterprising scores on a career assessment often align here. Take your free assessment at Assessment.com to see if you’re charted for success.
4. Core Skills & Competencies
| Skill Category | Key Abilities |
| Maritime Operations | Vessel navigation basics, gear handling, deck safety |
| Supervisory Skills | Crew scheduling, conflict resolution, performance feedback |
| Regulatory Knowledge | NOAA regulations, U.S. Coast Guard safety standards |
| Quality Assurance | Fish grading, hygiene protocols, cold chain management |
| Mechanical Aptitude | Basic engine and equipment maintenance |
| Data Management | Catch logs, hatchery records, environmental monitoring data |
| Communication | Radio protocols, team briefings, stakeholder reporting |
5. Education & Training Pathways
High School Diploma / GED
Vocational or Technical Training
- Marine technology, aquaculture, or fisheries science programs.
On-the-Job Supervision
- Progress from fishery worker roles under experienced supervisors.
Certifications
- Boat Operator’s License (as required)
- NOAA/NMFS Supervisory Training
- OSHA Marine Safety Courses
Continuing Education
- Workshops on sustainable aquaculture, fish health management, and advanced gear technologies.
2025 BLS Salary and Job Outlook
The figures below are U.S. national estimates. Wages refer to May 2025; job growth and annual openings refer separately to the 2025–2035 BLS employment projections.
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
Related O*NET occupation: First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers (45-1011.00). BLS reporting code: 45-1011.
Scope: These figures describe the full BLS occupation listed above, which may include other specialties and job titles. BLS does not publish a separate estimate for this exact guide title.
- Median wage (May 2025): $59,320 per year.
- Mean wage (May 2025): $62,730 per year.
- 10th percentile wage (May 2025): $38,990 per year.
- 25th percentile wage (May 2025): $46,670 per year.
- 75th percentile wage (May 2025): $75,290 per year.
- 90th percentile wage (May 2025): $91,770 per year.
- OEWS employment estimate (May 2025): 27,960. This estimate excludes self-employed workers.
- Employment in the projections base year (2025): 57,600.
- Projected employment (2035): 59,800.
- Projected employment change (2025–2035): 3.8%.
- Projected annual openings (2025–2035 average): 7,200. Openings include employment growth and workers leaving the occupation; they are not all newly created jobs.
Wage percentiles describe the distribution of wages, not guaranteed entry-level or experienced-worker salaries. National figures can differ from pay in a particular state, industry, or employer. OEWS wages do not include self-employed earnings. The projections employment estimates use a different coverage basis and may include self-employed workers.
Sources: BLS May 2025 national OEWS wage estimates; BLS 2025–2035 occupational projections, Table 1.2; BLS OEWS coverage and definitions.
6. Salary & Compensation
Median Annual Salary: ~$ fifty-two thousand ($52,000)
Entry-Level Supervisors: $40,000 – $48,000
Experienced Managers: $60,000 – $75,000+
Compensation often includes at-sea hazard pay, per diem in remote operations, and profit-sharing in private ventures.
7. Job Outlook & Growth Paths
Industry Demand
- Steady Demand: Global seafood consumption and aquaculture expansion sustain supervisory positions.
- Specialty Aquaculture: Growth in shellfish, shrimp, and recirculating aquaculture systems creates new leadership roles.
Career Advancement
- Fishery Manager: Overseeing entire harvest seasons, budgeting, and compliance.
- Aquaculture Director: Managing large-scale hatcheries or land-based fish farms.
- Regulatory Liaison: Working with government agencies on fishery policy and enforcement.
- Sustainability Consultant: Advising on best practices for eco-friendly operations.
8. Pros & Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
| Blend of outdoor maritime work and leadership | Physically demanding; long hours at sea or in remote sites |
| Crucial role in sustainable food production | Weather, sea conditions, and isolation can be challenging |
| Opportunities in growing aquaculture sector | Stringent regulations and potential environmental scrutiny |
| Competitive salary with hazard pay and bonuses | Irregular schedules; may require time away from home |
9. Tips for Success
- Prioritize Safety Culture: Regular drills and transparent communication foster trust.
- Monitor Environmental Data: Real-time tracking of water quality and weather informs decision-making.
- Develop Crew Expertise: Cross-train workers for versatility on deck and in processing.
- Engage Stakeholders: Keep lines open with buyers, regulators, and conservation groups.
10. Would I Like It?
You’ll flourish if you:
- Seek adventure and leadership in marine settings.
- Value sustainability and resource stewardship.
- Communicate clearly under pressure.
- Enjoy blending technical operations with team management.
11. My MAPP Fit
Uncover if your Realistic and Enterprising drives align by taking the free career assessment at Assessment.com. Navigate your ideal supervisory path today!
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