Fishers

Once booming, fishing as an industry has experienced hard times in the past few decades. Employment for fishers is expected to decline by 1 percent from 2023 through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The industry is affected by such variables as environmental law, ship maintenance costs, improvements in electronic and other fishing gear (which has limited the expansion in crew size), and the increasing use of "floating processors," which process "catches" onboard (further limiting employment opportunities). But such innovations can also help the industry—super-chilled refrigerator hulls help keep fish fresh for higher selling prices; color monitors help fishers perform their jobs more accurately by allowing them to see the nets and fish while still under water.

Pollution and excessive fishing have decreased the fish stock, particularly in the North Atlantic and Pacific Northwest. Some states have limited the number of fishing permits to allow regrowth of fish and shellfish populations. Imported seafood and farm-raised fish are also impacting fishing, causing some fishers to leave the business. Sport fishing positions will continue to grow as the travel and recreation fields continue to expand. Some may find employment in the growing field of aquaculture. Job opportunities will be better for fishers in the recreational fishing industry. The DOL reports that employment for fishers in recreation and related fields will grow faster than the average through 2033.