Any commercial fishing operation, including lobster fishing, needs deckhands. The handling and putting up of traps, the grading and sorting of lobsters, and the upkeep of the boat and equipment are their primary duties. Deckhands need to be paid for their arduous work, as with any employment. This essay will examine how lobster fishing industry deckhands are compensated.
Deckhands on lobster boats are often compensated with a crew share, or a portion of the boat’s overall earnings. Before the season begins, the captain, owner, and crew will decide on a percentage. The number of crew members on board, the size of the boat, and the location of the fishing grounds are just a few examples of the variables that can affect the crew share. Deckhands often make between 5% and 10% of the boat’s overall revenue.
The average season for lobster fishing is from the end of June until the beginning of December. Deckhands may put in long shifts throughout the season, frequently beginning before dawn and finishing after sunset. They might only have Sundays off, working six days a week. During the season, some deckhands work on several different vessels, which can boost their pay.
It’s hard to become a lobster fisherman. The majority of lobstermen are descendants of fishermen who began learning their trade at an early age. Having said that, one can become a lobster fisherman without coming from a fishing-related family. The Department of Marine Resources in your state must first issue you a commercial lobster fishing license before you can start lobstering. A boat, traps, and other supplies are also necessary for starting out.
Because lobsters are most active in the early morning hours, lobstermen go out early. Lobstermen boost their chances of catching more lobsters by placing traps early in the day. Additionally, because the water is colder in the fall and winter, lobsters are more likely to be caught during those seasons. These are the months when lobsters are usually more active and simpler to catch.
A lobster’s weight can be used to estimate its age. Typically, a 5 lb lobster has between 6 and 10 years of age. Although lobsters can live up to 100 years, the majority are caught before that time. Male lobsters develop more quickly than females, although both sexes grow slowly. A lobster takes between 5 and 7 years to reach legal size, or roughly 1 pound.
In conclusion, deckhands on lobster boats are paid a crew share, which is a part of the boat’s overall earnings. The pay is seasonal, subject to change based on a number of variables, and includes lengthy hours and six-day workweeks. A commercial license for lobster fishing as well as an investment in a boat and gear are necessary to become a lobster fisherman. A 5 lb lobster is normally between 6 and 10 years old, which is why lobstermen go out early in the morning to enhance their chances of getting more lobsters.