BAIT-FISH CATCHERS
Millions of men and women engage in sport fishing annually. Though some of these people obtain their own bait, most do not. Consequently, catching these small fish can prove to be a lucrative and enjoyable pastime. Because of the seasonal nature of the work in many locations, another job will be necessary for the winter months. The following excerpt provides an insight into this career:
My name is Dirty Louis...I trap killies to sell to local marinas (Manahawkin, New Jersey, area). The business can be lucrative, with killies or minnows selling wholesale at good prices per quart and forty or more quarts as a decent morning's load. The only requirements for the job are a fast, flat-bottom boat, fifty to seventy-five traps, and a hell of a memory of all the mainland creeks, bay islands, and Sheep’s head Peninsula waterways. The secret to trapping killies is to set up in low water and catch the fish as they come into the creeks, but before they can get into the flooded grass with high tide and get other food. Conical traps are baited with bunker, an oily fish, and, with the lack of other eatables in the low creek, the minnows enter the trapping pot. The traps are left in the creeks for one-half to one and one-half hours, depending on location, then pulled and the trapped minnows are transferred to floating boxes that keep them alive...
Trapping generally starts on the warmer mainland streams in June and early July, then switches to the bay islands in July and then Sheep’s head Peninsula near the inlet in August. The same stream should be trapped only once every week or two; thus, a broad knowledge of streams is required. Each trap pulled is a test of one's ability to judge the tide, determine the correct creek, and estimate where in the creek traps are best placed. As the trap quietly breaks the surface, the sounds of tiny slapping minnows crammed in the wire mesh signal a worthwhile catch.
Bait fishing varies widely with geography, temperature, nature of the fish for which the bait will be used, and other factors. On the Atlantic coast, the commercial bloodworm and sandworm can constitute a valuable enterprise. One thing remains constant-this old craft can provide a happy, healthy, and financially worthwhile vocation or avocation.
BAIT AND FISHING SHOP OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES
Those with expertise in recreational fishing may wish to consider employment in or ownership of bait and fishing equipment store. Obvious prerequisites are knowledge of fishing techniques, fish in season, and familiarity with new trends and equipment. Persons in these careers usually have had a lifelong interest in fishing. If you wish to own or operate fishing and bait store, business skills and leadership ability will be necessary.
For surfboard, SCUBA, and maritime arts and crafts shops, a similar situation exists. That is, love for and experience with your product must be meshed with sound business knowledge.
SEAFOOD PROCESSING AND MARKETING CAREERS
A surprising number of people work in the seafood processing and marketing industry. Presently, more than 150,000 persons process the catches of fishermen, and this number increases yearly. The industry is unique not only because of the perishable nature of the fish but because of regional eating preferences and sources of fish.
For example in North Carolina, the methods for marketing seafood have changed little over the last several years. The fishermen sell their catch to local packers where the fish, upon icing and packing, are sold to retail markets as far away as New York. Some processors freeze the fish and sell it as a frozen food. Traditionally, North Carolina has focused on the sale of whole fresh finfish and shellfish.
Close study of fishing in the tar-heel state seems to indicate that new ideas will modify the industry. The development of seafood-related industrial parks at key locations along the coast, if properly implemented, will increase the state's processing capacity. Present plans call for expansion of the market into the Midwest. The region, chosen for its potential and proximity to North Carolina, includes eighteen target cities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky. The promotion will feature croaker, gray trout, king and Spanish mackerel, mullet, and rock shrimp. Clearly this campaign will require successful selling techniques. In each city the promoters visit buyers, offer samples, and provide information. Marketing specialists meet with newspaper food editors as well as television and radio program directors, distribute brochures, and generally try to educate the public about the qualities of the new species. Such an undertaking, though costly at first, will often pay off in later success.
The dramatic increase in aquaculture (fish farming) has greatly affected processing and distribution. For example, New Jersey has begun an oyster farm project in the Cape May area. Billed as "Camp May Salt Oysters," these disease-resistant oysters are marketed not only in the greater New Jersey-Philadelphia area but also to New England.
Consumption of fish in the United States expands annually and predictions forecast continued growth. New seafood restaurants open, seafood menus grow, and home use is up. Norm Angel, executive secretary of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, explains his feelings: "If I were to go into fish marketing today, I would beg, borrow, and steal all the money I could to buy myself a wholly owned freezer and custom cut the fish for the consumer market.... this is where the money is."
See the following articles for more information:
- Find Your Calling: A Checklist
- 5 Ways To Build Your Career Outside of the Office
- How To Impress Your Interviewer When Making a Career Change
- 5 Tips For Successful Networking
