CAREER FOCUS/Fisheries: The modernisation of the Irish fishing industry has resulted in a variety of career choices. Olivia Kelly reports

If you've ever had to sit through the film Man of Aran (Robert Flaherty's 1934 documentary about a fishing community on the Aran Islands in black and white, with practically no dialogue and lasting 76 minutes) you probably have a fairly bleak view of a career in fishing. However the Irish fishing industry has modernised somewhat since 1934 and offers a number of career options with well-developed training routes and good prospects for advancement.

There are three main sectors in the seafood industry: the catching sector, the aquaculture sector (growing aquatic species from seed/ova, as in fish farming) and the secondary processing, retail and distribution sector.

Board Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) runs FETAC courses in both catching (commercial fishing) and aquaculture, with follow-on courses in the catching sector. For those who like the idea of life on the open seas, the catching sector is probably the best option, but changes in the course structure in the last three years allow those who have completed the FETAC certificate in commercial fishing to take extra modules to gain the aquaculture qualification.

"Both courses now have common modules such as safety at sea, marine engine operations and work boat handling," Richard McCormac, marine services manager with BIM, says. "If someone goes into the catching sector and doesn't like it, they have another option if they do a few extra modules."

Applicants to the FETAC commercial fishing certificate must be 16 years of age and have a Leaving Cert or relevant life/work experience. This course gives people the basic skills required to join the crew of the fishing vessel.

The engineering officer qualification takes two years to complete. Half the time is spent at sea while the rest is spent in BIM training centre in Greencastle, Co Donegal, or in Castletownbere in Co Cork. Applicants must pass a medical exam.

The engineer is one of the most important people on the boat, McCormac says. "You're dealing with boats costing millions - you can't afford for the engine to break down. Once the ship stops no money is made by anyone."

The other route to take is to become a skipper, the equivalent of the captain. Choosing this route also involves a medical test, which includes a test for colour blindness. The first step on this road is to become a second hand, or a ship's mate. As with engineering training, it involves a mix of theory work and practical time at sea. Students learn about safety at sea, net making and repair, information technology, galley cooking - and can choose eight other modules of study. BIM has its own training vessel and experience at sea is essential to gaining the second-hand qualification. "To get a mate's ticket you must be agec over 18 and have a minimum of two years at sea before you go for either a limited or a full ticket."

A limited ticket limits you to fishing in certain waters, usually around Ireland, but with a full ticket you could go as far away as Alaska if you wanted. After securing your second-hand ticket you must spend a minimum of one more year at sea before you can become a skipper.

Fishing has a reputation as being a hard life. However, advances in the industry mean there is less drudgery involved, McCormac says. "It's still very physical work but it's less tough than it was. There are lots of labour-saving devices and the heavy jobs are now done by hydraulics." Comfort on board the boat is also a bigger consideration and most boats have "shelter decks" which allow the fishing crew to work in comfort and without the risk of being hit by waves.

Safety is a major concern in the industry. Fishing is "an inherently risky occupation", McCormac says, but crew members are rigorously trained and safety precautions are constantly reviewed.

Some smaller crews come into shore on every night but on the biggest boats you might be away from home for six months. However, McCormac says there will be calls into port at least twice a week to off-load the catch and there is always a a shore leave rotation. "Nobody is left at sea all the time."