Fish and seafood plant workers

Overview

Labourers in fish and seafood processing perform clean-up, packaging, material handling and other elemental activities related to fish and seafood processing. They are employed in fish and seafood processing and packaging plants.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Fish and seafood plant machine operators

  • Set up and operate machines to clean, cut, cook, smoke, brine, dehydrate or otherwise process fish or seafood products

  • Set up and operate machines to can, bag, box or otherwise package fish and seafood products

  • Check products and packaging for defects and to ensure conformance to company standards and perform corrective machine adjustments as required

  • Record production information such as quantity, weight, date and type of products packaged.

  • Fish and seafood plant cutters and cleaners

  • Cut, clean and trim fish or seafood prior to marketing or further processing

  • Scrape away scales, cut fish, separate fillets and remove scrap parts using knife

  • Check fish fillets to determine optimal number and size of fillet sections, cut sections according to specifications and place in container for weighing

  • Disjoint and remove meat from lobsters or other crustaceans preparatory to canning or further processing.

Job titles

  • basket filter tender - fish and seafood processing
  • can filler - fish and seafood processing
  • can-filling machine operator - fish processing
  • centrifuge machine tender - fish processing
  • clam shucker - fish and seafood processing
  • clam steamer - fish and seafood processing

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition

Annual salary

Low

$36,289

Median

$39,626

High

$50,054

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

291

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Some secondary school education may be required.

  • On-the-job training is required.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Certification requirements

  • No certification requirements

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

No post-secondary education required

No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.

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