This method of payment, for example, has long been recognized in the federal tax code that considers fishermen aboard vessels with less than 10 persons to be independent contractors. As the number of crew increase aboard the vessel, obviously the percentages change. Because of the risks and rewards of commercial fishing, crew aboard fishing boats have typically been exempt from the minimum wage and overtime rules that are necessary to protect industrial and service sector workers. Most crew members annual income is far greater than those of individuals being paid a minimum wage or minimum wage plus salary, even with overtime. As you know, most companies and corporations do not share their profits with their workers, and if they do it is a very small amount.
Overtime is also problematic on board fishing vessels.
The fish don't typically bite or are caught in a discreet eight hour day, five days a week. The salmon fishery, for example, as it still does in Alaska, has provided a great job for high school and college students during the summer months giving them the opportunity to make far more money then would be possible in most shoreside jobs. It has also opened opportunities for minorities to get into fishing that would not otherwise have existed if the fishing operations had been limited solely to family members. From these crew positions, individuals have been able to develop skills in fishing and move on to purchase their own fishing vessels. It is largely for the reason above, that despite our organization's union roots, that there is no union involvement in the fleet we represent.