NOC 83120: Fishing masters and officers
Fishing masters and officers manage and operate saltwater and freshwater fishing vessels greater than 100 gross tonnes to pursue and land fish and other marine life. They are employed by establishments engaged in operating commercial fishing vessels.
Official Main Duties for NOC 83120
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 83120
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Fishing masters and officers is categorized under TEER 3. Occupations in this tier typically require completion of a 2- to 3-year post-secondary diploma, apprenticeship training, or specialized technical certifications.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 83120.
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $20 | $40.26/hr | $100 |
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- Some secondary school education is usually required.
- One to two years of experience as a fishing vessel deckhand is required.
- Captains require one year of service as officer in charge of the watch.
- A Fishing Master's Certificate is required for all occupations in this unit group.
- Marine Emergency Duties Certificate is required by Transport Canada.
- A valid Fishing Vessel Operator Certificate is required for all occupations in this unit group.
- A commercial fishing licence is required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 83120
13 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Deck officers, water transport (See 72602 Deck officers, water transport)View NOC 72602→
- Fishermen/women (See 83121 Fishermen/women)View NOC 83121→
- Fishing vessel chief engineer (See 72603 Engineer officers, water transport)View NOC 72603→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 83120 (Fishing masters and officers)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 83120, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.