Imagine a job where you face danger every day. Imagine that in your line of work, you may very well be lost at sea during a storm; you might seriously injury yourself with sharp equipment or a tangled line; you might not go home for months or see land for days on end. On top of it all, your work is seasonal and the median income in your field is less than $30,000 per year. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, commercial fishing is conducted under some of the most hazardous conditions possible, with the added complication that injuries take place far from medical treatment facilities.

High winds, icy weather, malfunctioning gear, slippery decks, or the failure of communication equipment can all contribute to life-threatening conditions. The annual fatality rate for commercial fishing workers is 28 times greater than it is for the average U.S. worker. From 1994 to 2004, over 100 fishing boats were lost at sea; other fatalities resulted from workers falling overboard, deck injuries, fires, and explosions.

In addition to the various dangers of the job, the work is strenuous and dirty and can require workers to be away from their families for months at a time, all the while living in cramped quarters with limited access to shower facilities, televisions, or other amenities of modern life. On large fishing boats, the catch is often processed aboard the vessel as well, leading to additional risk of accidents.

So why pursue such a dangerous job, especially when new regulations on fishing quotas and reduced fish populations make it tougher than ever? On the plus side, owner-operators of fishing vessels are able to be relatively independent, and the seasonal nature of the work may allow some workers to pursue additional employment. Furthermore, training happens on the job, so even inexperienced workers are eligible for the job as long as they have the necessary physical stamina.

Safety regulations have been under-emphasized in the commercial fishing industry, although new technology is available to reduce the possibility of injury or death, such as improved personal flotation devices, hatch monitoring systems, and emergency stop switches for winches. There is also an increased emphasis on data gathering and research into injury causes. In the future, commercial fishing may become slightly less dangerous—but in the end, Mother Nature is still a force to be reckoned with.