Pay also varies with the size of the boat and the amount and value of the catch. The costs of the fishing operation include operating the ship, repairing and maintaining the equipment, and providing the crew's supplies. These costs are subtracted from the sale of the catch. The remaining money is divided among the crew members. This amount covers any profit as well as the depreciation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the ship.
Pay varies greatly from year to year.
The highest earnings are in the summer and the lowest earnings in the winter. Under Federal maritime law, fishers who are injured or become ill while serving on a vessel receive disability benefits. For example, fishers may work in seafood processing plants, fishing and marine equipment businesses, or in construction. These high-paid workers usually are ships captains. Outlook Nationally, employment of commercial fishers is expected to decline through 2008.