🐟 Fishing and processing: seasonal work and conditions
Want to spend a season in the ‘land of fjords’ — on shore or on a vessel? Below is a map of seasonal work and locations, typical roles and processes, safety and clothing requirements, as well as quick answers to questions such as where to look for jobs, how to live in Lofoten, and what to consider when working shifts. Everything you need to know, from verified sources.
🌍 Seasonality and geography: Lofoten, Nordland, Møre og Romsdal
Winter–spring in Lofoten is the ‘skrei season’ (northeast cod), which usually peaks in January–April; the start of the season in 2025 is officially marked as 1 January. This provides a lot of work in coastal processing and logistics. On the west coast, pelagic fishing (mackerel, etc.) increases in summer–autumn — large networks such as Pelagia launch campaigns, often earlier than usual. Møre og Romsdal (Ålesund and surroundings) is home to strong processors and a supply chain — the region consistently ranks among the top in terms of employment in the fishing industry.
Logistics. The Bodø–Moskenes ferry runs to Lofoten: summer schedule — 30 May–31 August, winter schedule — 1 February–29 May and 1–30 September (check the PDF timetable). There are buses operated by Lofotekspressen (line 300), and there is a Hurtigruten sea route with stops in Stamsund and Svolvær. Monthly accommodation is available in rorbu with Wi-Fi; many bases publish specifications online in advance.
🛠️ Roles and processes: shore vs ship
Shore (processing): assembly line — cutting/filleting/boning, sorting, packaging, quality control, sanitation; often day/evening shifts. Typical descriptions at large plants (SalMar InnovaMar, etc.) directly list ‘cutting/packing/sorting’ and shift rotation. Ship: fishing/receiving/primary processing; shift work, physical workload and strict HSE rules. To start on shore, general production experience is often sufficient, but to work on a ship, you need maritime qualifications (see next section).
🦺 Requirements and safety: minimum at the start
Shore. Introductory HSE training, hygiene compliance, PPE (gloves, non-slip footwear, hearing/eye protection if necessary) are mandatory. Breaks and shift lengths are regulated by labour law: for shifts longer than 5.5 hours, at least one break is required; for shifts longer than 8 hours, breaks must total at least 30 minutes.
Vessel. Basic maritime safety for fishermen (STCW-F / ‘safety training for fishermen’) and a valid seaman's medical certificate are required; in some cases, the employer may issue a short-term (up to 3 months) exemption from training — only through the Maritime Administration. Check the type of course for the vessel class and role.
👕 Clothing/PPE: practical list
- Thermal underwear (wool/synthetic), insulating mid-layer.
- Moisture-proof overalls and jacket, waterproof apron for ‘wet areas’.
- Rubber/PVC boots with non-slip soles and protective toe caps.
- Gloves: warm for cold weather, cut-resistant for knives/fillets; disposable for hygiene.
- Hearing protection (earplugs/earmuffs) and goggles if there is a risk of splashes or ice chips.
- The employer is responsible for assessing risks and providing the appropriate PPE.
🎒 Checklist: Gear for workshop/onshore work
- ✅ Two sets of thermal underwear + warm socks
- ✅ Waterproof outerwear (bib pants/jacket) and apron
- ✅ Rubber boots with steel toe and anti-slip sole
- ✅ Gloves (warm, cut-resistant, disposable), earplugs/safety glasses
- ✅ Lunch box, thermos, reusable bottle; hand warmers
ℹ️ Employers must provide PPE, but having your own backup is practical.
⏱️ Shift schedules: how it works
In offshore and industrial work, long shifts and “day/evening” patterns are common, sometimes including night shifts.
- ✅ By law: if a shift is longer than 5.5 hours → minimum one break
- ✅ If 8+ hours → at least 30 minutes total break time
- ✅ Night shifts increase fatigue — research suggests avoiding too many in a row and keeping reasonable recovery intervals
ℹ️ Always confirm local rules in your job offer.
🚀 Mini-route (3–5 steps)
- Set up alerts on NAV/FINN/EURES for ‘fisk/fiskeindustri/seasonal’.
- Decide on the format: shore (HSE+PPE) or vessel (STCW-F + medical certificate).
- For Lofoten, plan your route: Bodø–Moskenes ferry, Lofotekspressen bus, accommodation in a rorbu with Wi-Fi.
Check the peak season for the region: January–April (skrei, Lofoten), summer–autumn (pelagic, west coast).
Conclusion. The fishing industry offers an easy entry point without requiring extensive experience: choose a coast or a vessel, arrange safety and PPE, prepare yourself for shifts and cold weather, and plan your logistics for the peak of the skrei season. Next comes growth: from basic processing to foreman, from fisherman to mechanic/boatswain, from packaging to quality control.
❓ FAQ
Search for “Produksjonsarbeider fiskeindustri”, “Seafood/Production worker”, “Seasonal/Intern”. NAV lists salmon factory jobs along the coast; Hitramat recruits for crab season (June–November 2025); FINN also has industry-specific filters.
Main roles: cutting/filleting/deboning, packing, sanitation. Also warehouse and loading (forklift license T1–T4 can help). At SalMar InnovaMar shifts rotate day/evening. Many ads accept applicants without prior experience if physically fit and reliable.
Risks: rolling seas, slippery decks, work on deck/hold. Minimum requirements: STCW-F Basic Safety Training for fishers + valid seafarer’s medical (usually valid 2 years). Employers may arrange short-term exemptions via NMA, but without certification you won’t board. Always follow safety briefings and use proper cold- and slip-protection.
Classic housing: rorbu cabins (often with Wi-Fi and kitchen). Access via Bodø–Moskenes ferry (summer 30.05–31.08, winter 01.02–29.05 & 01–30.09), Lofotekspressen bus (E10), or Hurtigruten ships calling at Stamsund/Svolvær. Book early for the skrei peak season.
