Training
We develop training courses and qualifications for fishermen, support and oversee their delivery and ensure that training opportunities are available throughout the UK.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime & Coastguard Agency we are responsible for development, delivery and certification of mandatory fishermen's safety training.
We currently receive financial support from the Department for Transport and the European Fisheries Fund to subsidise the cost of voluntary fishermen's training.
What we do in trainingThe sea fishing industry has changed dramatically in the last few years. It is a multi-million pound industry where skippers and their crews work on modern, sophisticated vessels and are expected to be highly skilled technicians - able to act as efficient 'harvesters of the seas' and to operate a range of electronic instruments for safe navigation and for finding fish.
Mandatory trainingTo go to sea, fishermen must undertake basic safety training. In addition, skippers, mates and engineers working on fishing vessels above a certain length and engine power, or operating in certain sea areas, are required to hold statutory Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Certificates of Competency.
Voluntary trainingSeafish has developed a number of additional voluntary short courses. These include 2- and 5-day navigation courses, 2- and 5-day engineering courses and a 1-day stability awareness course.
Funding opportunitiesSeafish encourages fishermen to develop their skills and knowledge by taking-up training opportunities. Whilst we are unable to subsidise mandatory training, we can provide funding towards the cost of voluntary training. We utilise our levy funding to draw down other sources of external funding, which is used wherever possible to support pan-UK initiatives. 
Job roles and career progression
Approved Training ProvidersHow to become a fisherman
The majority of the practical experience needed to become a commercial fisherman takes place on the job.