Master Fishers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Master Fishers control fishing vessels and fishing operations to catch and preserve fish, crustacea and molluscs.
Tasks
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Directs fishing operations by using knowledge about the species sought, fishing areas, seasons and the capabilities of the vessel and crew.
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Directs crew in catching fish, molluscs and crustacea at varying depths using nets, lines, poles, pots and traps.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Marine Transport Professionals, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 72% of people employed as Master Fishers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 6 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 60 hours per week in their main job. This is 16 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Master Fishers work in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Master Fishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 11.5 | 31.6 |
VIC | 9.0 | 25.6 |
QLD | 27.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 13.0 | 7.0 |
WA | 28.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 7.4 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 84% of Master Fishers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia have a large share of employment relative to their population size.
The region with the largest share of workers is Western Australia - Outback (South).
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Master Fishers is 47 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 2% of the workforce. This is 46 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Master Fishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 1.6 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 17.0 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 23.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 30.5 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 13.6 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 7.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 47 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Relevant experience is usually needed to work as a Master Fisher. Some workers have a certificate III or IV in fishing operations.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Maritime VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Master Fishers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.7 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 2.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 8.3 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 49.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 12.2 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 22.6 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Marine Transport Professionals who work well in a team, can communicate clearly with a diverse range of people and are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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46%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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45%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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41%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
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41%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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37%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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37%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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36%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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36%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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36%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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36%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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36%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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36%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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34%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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32%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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60%
Food productionPlanting, growing, and harvesting food (both plant and animal), including storage and handling.
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60%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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51%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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46%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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44%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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43%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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42%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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39%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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39%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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37%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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35%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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35%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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35%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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34%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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33%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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32%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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27%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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26%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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24%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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23%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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61%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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57%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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55%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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52%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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52%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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52%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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48%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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48%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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48%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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48%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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48%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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41%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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41%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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41%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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39%
BalanceKeep your balance or stay upright.
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36%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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80%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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74%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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57%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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54%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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47%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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45%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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44%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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43%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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42%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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41%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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41%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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41%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
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40%
Assessing and evaluating thingsWorking out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.
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39%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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37%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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35%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
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35%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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32%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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30%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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30%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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33%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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29%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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52%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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52%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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43%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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33%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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94%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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94%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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92%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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90%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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90%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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88%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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85%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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84%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
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80%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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80%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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79%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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78%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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78%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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78%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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78%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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77%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
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77%
CompetitionCompete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.
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76%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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76%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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75%
Conflict situationsDeal with conflict or disagreements.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 45-3011.00 - Fishers and Related Fishing Workers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.