July 17, 2023 — The aura associated with the concept of the Lone Fisherman has been expressed in art and on social media, reinforcing the reputation of commercial fishermen as solitary, strong individuals. That aura is more reality than myth, but the mental cost of it has only recently become better understood. Studies show that in the United States, suicide rates for a group of professionals that includes commercial fishermen are more than double the national average workplace fatalities.
Specifically in Massachusetts, workers in the forestry, hunting, and agriculture industries (which includes commercial fishing) are more likely than the average worker to be prescribed opioids to manage work-related pain and injuries and about five times more likely to die of opioid-related causes. The commercial fishing industry across the country echoes the struggle of opioid addiction and the connection to mental health issues, and with a younger generation of fishermen entering the workforce, this is something industry professionals must not ignore.
Stress has always been a factor in the commercial fishing industry, with fishermen facing unique stressors that are not always present in other industries. These stressors can include finances, finding a competent crew, weather, boat problems, lack of sleep, chronic pain, or trauma. A 2019 article mentioned that commercial fishing is the most dangerous civilian job in the U.S., with 100 deaths per 100,000 workers. It is an isolating, dangerous occupation full of uncertainty and expenses.
How are fishermen dealing with all these issues on a day-to-day basis? What does it mean to identify these distinct stressors, to acknowledge a traumatic event, or to recognize the signs of a crisis on your boat?