Scottish Sea Fisheries Employment Report
This report details the findings of a new survey of crews on Scottish fishing vessels. It provides new information across a range of indicators such as age, nationality, job tenure and skills.
11. Benefits of working in different sectors
Interviewees were asked to describe the key benefits of working in their particular sector relative to other fishing sectors.
The primary benefits identified by those working in the Pots and Traps sector are the hours, which tend to be 9-5 and which allow the crew to get home in the evenings to spend time with friends and family (Table 12). It was also stated by a number of respondents that the sector can be profitable, although this was not the case for all. There also appeared to be less tangible benefits such as being your own boss and a sense of limited environmental damage.
For demersal (<24m) less respondents gave examples, but a couple of them were the time at home because of effort restrictions and that the demands of the job were less than in other sectors. For Demersal (>24m, seiners and pair trawl) the length of breaks after each trip were attractive as well as the saving made by being on the boat for extended periods of time. Like the under 24m sector, the work is considered to be lighter that some other sectors and the size of the boat allows for better living and work conditions. Some crew also said that they catch was more interesting on these vessels compared with other sectors.
For Nephrops trawls most crew felt the working hours were good as most crews spend weekends at home with friends and family. For those working inshore, this also included evenings. Work patterns were compared favourably to the oil and gas industry where fishing was considered to be more family friendly. Like pots and traps some said that the sector could be profitable when stocks are good, but again this was not supported by all. Some crew also stated that the job is still exciting at times especially when big hauls are made.
The benefits of crewing on scallop dredger were identified as weekends at home and the sector's profitability due to no quota restrictions, although concerns were raised about sustainability. It was also felt that working condition on-board are well structured and the boats well run. Table 12 detailed some of the direct quotes from the surveys.
Table 12: example of response to "what are the benefits of working in this sector compared to others?"
| Benefits of working in sector Pots and Traps 1. 9-5 home normal time and can live on island; 9-5 job, enjoyable, hard work; 9-5 at home, <10m can be a good living. 2. Best segment if good weather and plenty of crab. Get to go home to the wife each night. 3. Can be a good sector as long as management doesn't tighten on fishing too much. 4. Can be profitable but repairs very hard work; Could be a very profitable industry if managed well. 5. Day shifts. Own boss. 6. Doing it because you like it. Less stress. 7. Feel like you're still part of an ancient tradition. Use the same methods. Not harming any sea life. 8. Enjoyable job but prospects not good as profit is not good. Fun and exciting job but the market now is not good. 9. Great job. Fun and rewarding but sadly getting worse. Great job. Although has to have second job to make sure constant money comes in. 10. Home every night, don't work weekends. Home more than others. 11. Manageable workload. Only work during daylight. 12. Not damaging anything or anyone, unlike scallop dredges. 13. Slightly less dangerous and slightly shorter hours 14. Not many now. Hard to make money. None now. Fishing industry is ruined, partly by Europe, partly by our own management. Demersal (<24m) 1. Lots of time at home due to days at sea. When fishing the wages are good. 2. Whitefish not as demanding as prawns or scallops. 3. Not many benefits. Demersal (>24m, seiner and pair trawl) 1. 10 days on and 10 days off is attractive. Used to be 3 weeks at sea, 4 nights at home so better now. 2. Accommodation and food included so salary is theirs to keep. Long trips make it more profitable for foreign workers and they can send the money home. 3. Easier work [than other sectors], good wages. Splitting crews to give more time off. Easiest sector to work in. Boats more hygienic and well looked after. 4. More comfort. Not so much time on deck as prawns. As far as it goes best conditions at sea. 5. More interesting than Scallops - catches interesting. 6. Shorter trips, shorter sea time, less time on deck. 7. Whitefish is steadier throughout the year. Days at Sea and Quota work well for this boat. 8. Not many with current management structure. Nephrops Trawls 1. Five day week only. Weekends home; 90% of the fleet are on a 4.5 day week. Get home at weekends to family; Being an inshore fishery there is a possibility of getting home each night or weekend. 2. Can be very profitable if stock are available. Can be profitable if management doesn't muck it up. 3. Good job. Family possible. 9-5. OK money. 4. Great job if there is good crew. Still excitement in a good haul. Great job if we can fish. 5. Less time away from family than oil and gas although if fishing is bad it can end up being too many hours whilst working. 6. Safe modern boat with comfortable living quarters. 7. No benefits; None. This sector has been so restricted in the last 2 years so they're doing more work for less money. This means vessel has less time at home; Not many now. Scallop Dredge 1. Don't work weekends, own hours with scallops 2. Exciting. Rewarding job. 3. Good industry if management was not so stringent; Good industry but worrying in terms of overfishing 4. Non-quota so can fish longer and make more money than other sectors. 5. Normally working in more sheltered areas. Anchor at night and get to sleep. Fair share of the catch. 6. Safety is primary concern on-board and accordingly makes working better than in other sectors. |
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