What is the average pay for a crab fisherman

Few crew members received hourly pay, so empty holds meant empty pockets, even for the captain. Captains overloaded boats with crab pots and crews worked up to hour stretches under the derby system. The boats sometimes capsized. Exhausted crew members exercised poor judgment.

Crab fishing had one of the highest death rates of any industry. Captain Scott Campbell, Jr. Because some boats returned to shore with low harvests, all that risk sometimes had no reward.

One percent of no crabs equals zero dollars. More crabs, bigger profits: The new rules have boosted crab numbers -- and profits, according to Campbell. Because fishermen leave the traps in the water for a longer period of time, small crabs, which are illegal to take, have time to crawl through escapement rings and return to the open water to feed and grow to legal size. More of that bycatch was pulled aboard in the old days and died as the crabbers roughly sorted and threw them back.

Females, which are also illegal to take, also died in the rush to empty the traps. This destruction reduced future harvests. Now, crab populations are growing again after declining for years, Campbell said. Prices have also improved, he said. Under the fishing derby system, the market was flooded during the brief harvest season, pushing prices lower.

With the longer season, crabs come to market more gradually and pricing is more consistent. When the king crab season ends, Campbell goes after snow crabs, a less lucrative catch but still worth the effort. In summer, he uses the boat to transfer wild salmon from smaller boats to processors. Most also work the spring snow crab fishery as well and many crabbers clear six figures for the year. Crabbers work the dangerous waters of the Bering Sea in winter. The pots are left for two days and then pulled to the deck.

Accidents are common on a crab boat. Imagine several pound pots dangling overhead as the crew works together to bring in their load. Crab fisherman must be vigilant about crew maneuvers to ensure that everyone remains safe. In addition to dropping and lifting crab pots, crab fisherman maintain the boat, chip away ice on the boat deck, cook meals, and check over the equipment. Strong communication skills, physical strength and the ability to solve problems are essential skills for a crab fisherman.

Requirements vary by state, so check with the fish and wildlife conservation commission in your state. Previous experience with commercial fishing, or even as a deck hand, is a plus. Serving as a captain requires even more qualifications. A crabber must have versatile skills — problem solving, repairing equipment, removing ice from the boat deck, driving the boat and even cooking meals could be on the duty list. To be eligible for a job as a crew member on a commercial crab-fishing boat, you need a commercial crab-fishing license.

You also need specific gear like insulatedrubber boots, wrist covers, warm gloves and a sleeping bag. If you want to be the captain of a crab boat, you will need substantial experience as a deckhand and a captain. Pay for crabbers hinges on the daily yield and market prices. Most crab-fishing operations offer crew members a percentage of what is caught.

Often, living expenses are paid during the fishing season.