An Alaskan Fishing Vessel is not Just a Man’s World Anymore

Debora Carley

The Alaskan seafood industry is without a doubt a model of sustainability and prosperity for the rest of the world. It has produced 99,000 jobs and $12.8 billion in economic output, and the labor income is $5.2 billion annually. Brannon Finney wants women to know the good news is that […]

The Alaskan seafood industry is without a doubt a model of sustainability and prosperity for the rest of the world. It has produced 99,000 jobs and $12.8 billion in economic output, and the labor income is $5.2 billion annually.

Brannon Finney wants women to know the good news is that there are still jobs available for females interested in working on salmon trollers. Finney is an Alaskan woman who found work in the industry and encourages others to do the same.

An Alaskan Fishing Vessel is not Just a Man’s World Anymore

Here are some FAQs women should consider:

What’s the job like?

Trollers are small businesses. There is a lot of overlap between the deckhand and captain, as there are only two people aboard. Captains may not allow deckhands who aren’t experienced in operating gear. This is due to the possibility of injury or loss of fish/gear.

Tasks can include:

Cleaning fish

Within half an hour of landing on the deck, every salmon must be bled and gutted. The “glazing” process involves dipping each fish in a saltwater glaze to preserve freshness and then unloading the catch as soon as the troller arrives.

Deck work

This includes cleaning, maintaining gear, sharpening hooks, and polishing lures. There’s also meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking.

What is the captain’s role?

Safety and success are ultimately up to the captain. The captain is responsible for all mechanical maintenance, including changing the oil and filtering engines. The captain decides where to fish and which gear to use. Captains often share much of the deck work with their crew, running gear, and cleaning fish.

What is a typical day like on a Fishing Boat?

You’re awake before the sun rises. You will usually be up by 3:00 in July and by mid-September, you might be up by 5:30 in the morning. By the time you see the sunrise, you are normally where the Captain has chosen to fish for that day.

Do women have the opportunity to work on fishing boats?

Brannon Finney‘s mother was a troll skipper by the 1990s and the only woman in the fleet. Today. although still male-dominated, there are many women now operating their own boats and crewing the boats.

Many captains are open to hiring both women and men. Many male skippers say they actually prefer to hire female crew, as they find women are more responsible and easier to get along with.

Deckhands, male or female, should trust their instincts about whether they would like to leave the dock with someone. If possible, inquire about the reputation of a captain.

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development reports that women like Brannon Finney make up 14% of commercial fishermen, both crew and captains, and almost 33% of all processing workers.

According to Northwest fishermen, researchers who have looked to the north, Alaskan fishing vessels are more likely to have female captains and crew members than other regions. Sara Skamsker reports in Not Just A Boys’ Club: Women Hooking Into Fishing Industry More Onshore, “There is more fishing in Alaska so there are more women who fish.”

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