Fishing boats left short-staffed

A lack of people is having a big impact on the region’s fishing industry, as well as adding pressure to those who can head out on the boats.

The combination of low unemployment, Covid-19 and other winter sickness has seen fishing boats head out to sea without the full number of workers on board.

Ken Jobe, skipper on a Sanford fishing vessel, says he would usually have 42 people on his boat, his last sailing had 33 and the one before that, just 31.

That makes it harder to catch the required tonnage of fish and means qualified staff are left to do some of the work that junior staff would usually do, he says.

At Sealord they’ve had fishermen turn up to the docks ready to go but have then tested positive for Covid-19, meaning they’ve had to stay behind, leaving their crew short or bosses trying to find people at the last minute.

Others are being asked to do back-to-back six-week sailings to help fill boats, which sees them home with their families for just a few days in between trips.

Sealord CEO Doug Paulin, says the lack of fishermen is having a significant impact on the number of fish they’re able to catch and process.

He says it’s not just on the boats but also onshore positions that they’re struggling to fill with the Sealord factory down 180 staff.

Ken says he’s been working on fishing boats for 20 years and he’s seen a significant change in the culture of new people coming in.

“When I started it was hard to get onto a boat, you kind of had to know someone to get a spot, but it’s a real struggle at the moment,” he says.

“It’s the worst I’ve ever seen it, definitely. Usually you have the odd dry patch but we’ll always get people that come in and give it a go for a few trips.”

He says the money for fishing is good, as is the time off when you’re home.

“The lifestyle is what got me into it. You go to sea, you do your time, you come home and you can do what you want, go to a café for breakfast, go shopping, renovate your house. At sea, the camaraderie is really good, you make really strong life-long friends. As well as seeing whales and dolphins and other sea life.

“It’s a great career for motivated people.”