National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.3

8 - Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

These occupations include supervisors and equipment operators in the natural resource-based sectors of mining, oil and gas production, forestry and logging, agriculture, horticulture and fishing. Most occupations in this category are industry specific and do not occur outside of the primary resources industries.

Occupations within this category generally require completion of college or vocational education programs. Some of these occupations, however, are characterized by on-the-job training and progression through experience.

84 - Workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production

This major group comprises workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations, which usually require completion of secondary school and some training, a licence or certification. It includes mine service workers and operators in oil and gas drilling; logging and forestry workers; agriculture and horticulture workers; and other workers in fishing, trapping and hunting occupations.

844 - Other workers in fishing and trapping and hunting occupations

This minor group includes fishing vessel deckhands; and trappers and hunters who are usually self-employed and work on a seasonal basis. They are employed by establishments that operate commercial fishing vessels; and fishermen/women who are usually self-employed owner-operators of fishing vessels; or they may be self-employed.

8441 - Fishing vessel deckhands

Fishing vessel deckhands perform a variety of manual tasks on commercial fishing voyages, and maintain fishing vessels. They are employed by establishments that operate commercial fishing vessels and by self-employed fishermen/women.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • fishing vessel crewman/woman
  • fishing vessel deckhand
  • fishing vessel icer
  • fishing vessel netmender
  • seiner deckhand
  • trawlerman/woman

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Deck officers, water transport (See 2273 Deck officers, water transport)
  • Fishermen/women (See 8262 Fishermen/women)
  • Fishing masters and officers (See 8261 Fishing masters and officers)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare nets, lines and other fishing tackle, and operate fishing gear to catch fish and other marine life
  • Sort, return protected species to the water, clean and pack fish in ice and stow catch in hold
  • Repair nets, splice ropes and maintain fishing gear and other deck equipment
  • Clean deck surfaces and fish hold
  • Handle anchors and mooring lines during docking and undocking procedures
  • May steer vessels to and from fishing areas
  • May prepare and cook meals for crew members.

• Employment requirements

  • There are no specific educational requirements.
  • On-the-job training is provided.
  • Marine Emergency Duties certificate is required by Transport Canada.
  • A deckhand training program may be required.
  • Trawlermen/women require at least one year of experience.
  • Fishing vessel deckhands require a commercial fishing licence.

• Additional information

  • Fishing vessel deckhands may become skippers upon acquiring an entry licence and a boat.
  • Fishing vessel deckhands may progress to watchkeeper or mate positions with additional training.

8442 - Trappers and hunters

Trappers and hunters trap and hunt wild animals for pelts or live sale. They are usually self-employed and work on a seasonal basis.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • fur trapper
  • game trapper
  • hunter
  • sealer
  • trapper

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Animal control trappers or nuisance control trappers (See 7444 Pest controllers and fumigators)
  • Hunting guides (See 6532 Outdoor sport and recreational guides)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Trappers

  • Set traps with bait and position traps along trails
  • Operate snowmobiles or travel on foot, snowshoes or skis to patrol trapline
  • Remove catch and reset traps and snares
  • Kill and skin catch for pelts, and treat and pack pelts for marketing
  • Trap live animals for sale to buyers or for relocation purposes
  • Maintain and repair trapping equipment
  • Maintain trails and access to trapping lines
  • Trap designated animals for bounty or other control programs
  • May monitor animal population in the trapping regions to ensure future sustainability.

  Hunters

  • Operate boats or snowmobiles or travel on foot to reach hunting areas
  • Pursue animals by observing and recognizing tracks, trails, animal droppings or broken foliage
  • Train dogs for hunting
  • Kill wild animals using firearms or other weapons
  • Skin dead animals for pelts using knives
  • Treat, pack and transport pelts to processing plants or to public auctions
  • Maintain hunting equipment
  • May monitor animal population in the hunting regions to ensure future sustainability.

  Trappers and hunters may specialize in trapping or hunting a particular kind of animal.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of trapping or hunting courses may be required in some provinces.
  • A provincial trapping or hunting licence is required.

• Additional information

  • In some jurisdictions, trappers may be allocated trapping areas based on their experience.